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Not Just a BackdropNot Just a Backdrop Conservation of the Conservation of the Normansfield
Theatre Scenery Scenery
Project undertaken by Conservation ServicesProject undertaken by Conservation Services Textile Conservation Centre Textile Conservation Centre
Initial documentation and preparation for storage 1996; Initial documentation and preparation for storage 1996; treatment phase 2003-5treatment phase 2003-5
Dr John Langdon Down -Dr John Langdon Down -His HospitalHis Hospital
Born 1828, grocer, apothecary & Born 1828, grocer, apothecary & pharmacist; qualified as doctor 1858.pharmacist; qualified as doctor 1858.
First to identify symptoms later known First to identify symptoms later known as Down’s Syndrome.as Down’s Syndrome.
Worked at Earlswood Asylum 1858-1868Worked at Earlswood Asylum 1858-1868 Established Normansfield in Hampton Established Normansfield in Hampton
Wick in 1868 as his home and as private Wick in 1868 as his home and as private institution for training of learning institution for training of learning disabled.disabled.
Theatre/entertainment hall added 1879 Theatre/entertainment hall added 1879 & survives today in remarkable state of & survives today in remarkable state of preservation; over 100 items of 19preservation; over 100 items of 19thth century scenery also survivecentury scenery also survive
““....make life joyous & quicken the power of thoughtmake life joyous & quicken the power of thought””
From Past to PresentFrom Past to Present
Front view of Langdon Down building
The Hall and Theatre in 1879
Line drawing to commemorate the opening of the Line drawing to commemorate the opening of the theatretheatre
The Theatre and its StageThe Theatre and its Stage
The stage and scenery prior to conservation
““Normansfield stands head and shoulders above them all. … Normansfield stands head and shoulders above them all. … one of the most remarkable private theatres in Britain.” one of the most remarkable private theatres in Britain.”
John Earl. 1998. ‘John Langdon Down; a caring pioneer.’John Earl. 1998. ‘John Langdon Down; a caring pioneer.’
Elements of a stage setElements of a stage set
Rolled cloths – backdrop and Rolled cloths – backdrop and borderborder
Vaulted ceiling - border
Beach scene - backdrop
Examples of flatsExamples of flats
Makers Stamps on the SceneryMakers Stamps on the Scenery
On site in 1996: Scenery stored On site in 1996: Scenery stored behind the stagebehind the stage
Stack of scenic flats -dirty and vulnerable
Rolled cloths - inaccessible
Rescue Survey Team Working on Rescue Survey Team Working on Site in 1996Site in 1996
Condition – structural Condition – structural damage damage
Condition - Painted SurfacesCondition - Painted Surfaces
Cupping paintPowdering paint
Research and TestingResearch and Testing
Fibre Identification
Fire retardants used on scenery – tests to identify any health and safety risks
The Conservation ChallengeThe Conservation Challenge
Rare for 19Rare for 19thth century scenery to century scenery to survive.survive.
Over 100 pieces of scenery Over 100 pieces of scenery including rolled painted cloths including rolled painted cloths 35m square and large painted 35m square and large painted canvases on wooden strainers canvases on wooden strainers (flats).(flats).
Client decision to conserve one Client decision to conserve one full set of scenery for static on-full set of scenery for static on-stage display, rest to be made stage display, rest to be made safe for storage & study.safe for storage & study.
Interdisciplinary approach crucial: Interdisciplinary approach crucial: textile & painting conservators, textile & painting conservators, theatre historians, wood theatre historians, wood conservators etc.conservators etc.
The False Proscenium SetThe False Proscenium Set
The Street Scene SetThe Street Scene Set
The street scene set was to be conserved for static on-stage display
Conservation at the TCC 2003-Conservation at the TCC 2003-20052005
Storage and HandlingStorage and Handling
Moving the scenery to outside storage units
The Communication ChainThe Communication Chain
Textile Conservation Centre
Building Project Manager, Stephen Kirby, Bourne Wood Partnership
ClientLaing Homes, property development company
Langdon Down Centre Trust
The Importance of a Consistent The Importance of a Consistent ApproachApproach
DocumentationDocumentation
Workshop notes: tracking of objects
Diagrams recording the progress of consolidation
Surface CleaningSurface Cleaning
Surface cleaning in progress on reverse of Wallpaper Room flat. Protective gear due to mould
Colours revealed after cleaning on Street Scene backdrop
ConsolidationConsolidation
Supporting Areas of LossSupporting Areas of Loss
Supporting loss with painted patchesImportant evidence of historical use
Treatment of wood and metal Treatment of wood and metal elementselements
Wood clamped after adhesive repair
Application of protective lacquer on metal
Scenery Destined for StorageScenery Destined for Storage
Treatment: minimal intervention to support damaged areas Prop: mirror with torn canvas
Work on SiteWork on Site
Surface cleaning Rolled cloth storage unit
Storage of Scenery FlatsStorage of Scenery Flats
Installing Stage SceneryInstalling Stage Scenery
Raising the backdrop Installing the flats
Stage prior to installation of the scenery
ConclusionsConclusions
ConclusionsConclusions
The theatre today with conserved stage scenery
TCC’s work shortlisted for the Conservation Award TCC’s work shortlisted for the Conservation Award 20052005
The FutureThe Future
Theatre is beautifully restored and is now Theatre is beautifully restored and is now owned and managed by owned and managed by Langdon Down Centre Trust
It is the national HQ of Down’s Syndrome It is the national HQ of Down’s Syndrome Association.Association.
The scenery is safely housed in specially The scenery is safely housed in specially
created storage.created storage.
The theatre is now accessible to the public.The theatre is now accessible to the public.
It is now a community resource.It is now a community resource.
AcknowledgementsAcknowledgementsAll the colleagues both inside and outside All the colleagues both inside and outside the TCC for their invaluable contributions.the TCC for their invaluable contributions.Nicola Costaras, Tim Craven, Dr. Paul Nicola Costaras, Tim Craven, Dr. Paul Garside, Nicola Yates, Vivian Lochhead, Garside, Nicola Yates, Vivian Lochhead,
Shayne Rivers, Dr. Paul Wyeth, Alan Shayne Rivers, Dr. Paul Wyeth, Alan Phenix, Dr. Christina Young.Phenix, Dr. Christina Young.
Special thanks to:Special thanks to:Dinah Eastop, Nell Hoare and Carla Dinah Eastop, Nell Hoare and Carla
Petschek,Petschek,Stephen Kirby, David Wilmore, Stephen Kirby, David Wilmore, Peter Longman and John Earl,Peter Longman and John Earl,
Carol and Stephen Boyes.Carol and Stephen Boyes.