Design by Cynthia Tingey for Mrs Martha Crusoe in Robinson Crusoe, London Palladium, 1967

Design for Mrs Martha Crusoe in Robinson Crusoe, showing a full length female figure, wearing a long sleeved mini dress of orange and white fringed or fluffy material with four black horizontal bands to the dress and each sleeve, each dress stripe decorated with a black bow to the front, with blue and pink horizontally striped tights and black ankle boots, and a high headdress in the form of a green and pink palm tree. She wears a pair of 1960s spectacles and large hanging brown earrings, possibly coconuts. The design is signed and dated.

Given by the artist

This is one of a collection of designs for pantomime and cabaret, given to the Theatre Museum by the designer, Cynthia Tingey, who created the costumes for 15 of the annual London Palladium pantomimes. This design was made for the pantomime, Robinson Crusoe, at the London Palladium, 19 December 1967. The production was directed by Albert J. Knight. Arthur Askey played Mrs Martha Crusoe.

Historical significance: An example of pantomime costume design of the second half of the 20th century and of the work of a designer who specialised in pantomime and variety design. It is also an example of a design for a pantomime dame.

S.145-1999