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 red, knee length dress with a full skirt, the long sleeves trimmed with horizontal bands of ermine, and white tights, black ankle boots, a high white lace cap decorated with black ribbons with, to each side, a hanging white veil tied at the bust, and 1960s spectacles. Around her neck is a long trailing ermine boa. She carries a large exaggerated ermine muff trimmed with a large black bow. The design is signed and dated. On the reverse is a pencil sketch of an octopus and pencil annotations.

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.146-1999