Not currently on display at the V&A

Poster advertising Frank Mumford's Stars on Strings Grand Marionette Theatre, Marina Theatre Ramsgate, ca.1946

Poster
ca.1946 (printed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This poster advertised Stars on Strings, the marionette show devised and fist performed by the young private Frank Mumford (1918-2014) while serving in the army's Stars in Battledress division. The War Office Central Pool of Artistes, based in London's Upper Grosvenor Street, was the organisation formed during the latter stages of World War II to provide entertainment under the title Stars in Battledress, to troops in areas of conflict, by performers serving in the Armed Forces of Great Britain. The note on this poster refers to it having entertained members of the air force, army and navy during the war - the 'Boys and Girls in Khaki and two shades of Blue' referring to the colours of their uniforms.

Frank Mumford (1918-2014) had an extraordinary career as a puppeteer from his schooldays and throughout his long life. He appeared at Wood Green Empire aged just 14, billed as Master Mumford and His Marionettes. He went on to perform with his puppets in Army entertainment during the second World War and later, with his wife Maisie, presented his speciality act the Mumford Puppets for royalty and in top nightspots including the London Palladium and the Moulin Rouge. The Mumfords played cabarets around the world, meeting celebrities such as Jean Cocteau, Josephine Baker and Charlie Chaplin. They performed for Prince Rainier and Princess Grace in Monaco, at private parties for the Duke and Duchess of Windsor in Paris, and for stars such as Laurel and Hardy and Ingrid Bergman. Frank also carved the early versions of the TV puppet Andy Pandy.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitlePoster advertising Frank Mumford's <i>Stars on Strings </i>Grand Marionette Theatre, Marina Theatre Ramsgate, ca.1946 (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Printed paper
Brief description
Poster advertising Frank Mumford's Stars on Strings Grand Marionette Theatre, Marina Theatre Ramsgate, ca.1946
Physical description
Typographical poster printed in brown on white paper advertising Stars on Strings the non-stop revue at the Grand Marionette Theatre, the Marina Theatre Ramsgate with the note: ‘Stars-on-Strings originally designed and produced for Stars-in-Battledress by Frank Mumford who entertained Boys and Girls in Khaki and Two Shades of Blue is here now to entertain Boys and Girls of all ages.' Printed by The East Kent Times Ltd., 85, High Street, Ramsgate

Credit line
Given by Jennifer Allen
Object history
The poster was kept by Frank Mumford as a souvenir of Stars on Strings,the marionette shows he performed to troops serving in the Armed Forces of Great Britain in areas of conflict during the latter stages of World War II, and after the war, as here in Ramsgate
Summary
This poster advertised Stars on Strings, the marionette show devised and fist performed by the young private Frank Mumford (1918-2014) while serving in the army's Stars in Battledress division. The War Office Central Pool of Artistes, based in London's Upper Grosvenor Street, was the organisation formed during the latter stages of World War II to provide entertainment under the title Stars in Battledress, to troops in areas of conflict, by performers serving in the Armed Forces of Great Britain. The note on this poster refers to it having entertained members of the air force, army and navy during the war - the 'Boys and Girls in Khaki and two shades of Blue' referring to the colours of their uniforms.

Frank Mumford (1918-2014) had an extraordinary career as a puppeteer from his schooldays and throughout his long life. He appeared at Wood Green Empire aged just 14, billed as Master Mumford and His Marionettes. He went on to perform with his puppets in Army entertainment during the second World War and later, with his wife Maisie, presented his speciality act the Mumford Puppets for royalty and in top nightspots including the London Palladium and the Moulin Rouge. The Mumfords played cabarets around the world, meeting celebrities such as Jean Cocteau, Josephine Baker and Charlie Chaplin. They performed for Prince Rainier and Princess Grace in Monaco, at private parties for the Duke and Duchess of Windsor in Paris, and for stars such as Laurel and Hardy and Ingrid Bergman. Frank also carved the early versions of the TV puppet Andy Pandy.
Associated objects
Collection
Accession number
S.75-2019

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Record createdMarch 12, 2021
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