Not on display

Poster advertising the New Year or January programme of entertainment at the Belle Epoque nightclub, Lyon, ca.1965

Poster
ca.1965 (produced)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This poster is undated but dates from January since it invites patrons to 'start the year with beauty' with a 'spotlight on the 'Belle Epoque'. 'Frank Mumford's marionette act appears in the line-up of entertainers at this Lyon nightclub, billed as coming from 'the London Festival of Marionettes'. The inclusion of the Mumford Puppets at a nightclub in the 1960s shows the versatility and longevity of the act which undoubtedly would have included the glamorous Mlle Zizi and her accompanist professor Fyodor Lethetinsky.

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. In 1938 Maisie Tierney joined the troupe which they disbanded in 1939, on the outbreak of war. They married in July 1944 and that September Frank was taken prisoner at Arnheim. He joined the Central Pool of Artists on his release and created the two-hour show Stars on Strings that he performed with his puppets in Army Entertainment. 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.

After his demob in 1946 he and Maisie created a more practical two-handed marionette act, with Frank creating all the puppets. They presented The Mumford Puppets for royalty and in top nightspots including the London Palladium and the Moulin Rouge. They 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 including 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 the New Year or January programme of entertainment at the <i>Belle Epoque</i> nightclub, Lyon, ca.1965 (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Printed paper
Brief description
Poster advertising the acts appearing in the New Year or January programme at the Belle Epoque nightclub, Lyon, including the Mumford Puppets. No year but probably ca.1965
Physical description
Typographical poster printed in black, pink and gold advertising the acts appearing in the 'glamorous February programme' at the Belle Epoque nightclub at 43, Quai Pierre-Scize, Lyon - the fantastic Dailly Holliday; the Mumford Puppets; Ina; Les Rolls Kats; Regine; and Carol, Jessie and Mikaela from 'The Play-Boys of Paris'
Credit line
Given by Jennifer Allen
Object history
The poster was kept by Frank Mumford, along with his marionettes, other posters, programmes, cuttings and photographs, as souvenirs of his career. They were inherited on his death by his great-niece who presented them to the museum
Summary
This poster is undated but dates from January since it invites patrons to 'start the year with beauty' with a 'spotlight on the 'Belle Epoque'. 'Frank Mumford's marionette act appears in the line-up of entertainers at this Lyon nightclub, billed as coming from 'the London Festival of Marionettes'. The inclusion of the Mumford Puppets at a nightclub in the 1960s shows the versatility and longevity of the act which undoubtedly would have included the glamorous Mlle Zizi and her accompanist professor Fyodor Lethetinsky.

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. In 1938 Maisie Tierney joined the troupe which they disbanded in 1939, on the outbreak of war. They married in July 1944 and that September Frank was taken prisoner at Arnheim. He joined the Central Pool of Artists on his release and created the two-hour show Stars on Strings that he performed with his puppets in Army Entertainment. 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.

After his demob in 1946 he and Maisie created a more practical two-handed marionette act, with Frank creating all the puppets. They presented The Mumford Puppets for royalty and in top nightspots including the London Palladium and the Moulin Rouge. They 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 including Laurel and Hardy and Ingrid Bergman. Frank also carved the early versions of the TV puppet Andy Pandy.

Collection
Accession number
S.78-2019

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Record createdMarch 15, 2021
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