Comments on: The Toy Theatres Of Old St & Hoxton

By: Tony Banfield

Tony Banfield — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 12:42:42 +0000

Like many people who end up working in theatre I had a Pollock’s hand-me-down and was hooked from an early age. Years later I became a set designer and scenic artist but the lure of the toy theatre was still there and I set about making the model I always wanted as a child. I chose the Old Vic as a basis for its extravagant Victorian interior. Nine months later I had a reproduceable model and have sold 27 versions to clients Europe. Some have working traps, a revolve and flying. All have miniature lighting which is a far cry from the torch bulbs and coloured cellophane from Quality Street wrappers which had to make do. More recently I was commissioned to reproduce the Royal Opera House and am working on version number three. I owe this major adventure in my life to good old Benjamin Pollock, of course. Without him I feel this great tradition of toy theatre would have died out long ago before it could be firmly established in our modern day hearts and minds. More on my website with pictures. It’ great to see Hackney has commemorated Mr Pollock with a plaque.

By: Hetty Startup

Hetty Startup — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 14:47:01 +0000

I had a Saturday job working at Pollocks toy museum and shop on Scala St. We held performances of the plays in the basement, served tea at little round tables in the shop and toured people through the floors and floors of exhibits. It was a formative part of my adolescence and magical too. I was sad when they moved to Covent Garden but realize a lot more people discovered bits of this story there subsequently.

By: emlyn

emlyn — Wed, 08 Mar 2017 09:33:19 +0000

I loved reading this article as I am a great fan of the toy theatre and am working on one at the moment.I used to give performances but not any more

By: belle

belle — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 20:20:39 +0000

lovely post, I collect these.

By: Kristan Tetens

Kristan Tetens — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 00:59:20 +0000

There’s a wonderful Gaumont film of Pollock at work in the Hoxton shop: https://youtu.be/senXvAJWxgw

By: Suzy

Suzy — Sun, 01 Jan 2017 16:09:15 +0000

Ooh I loved this! Funny, because I spent a pleasant hour or so meandering around the creaky Pollock’s Toy museum just the other week. I faffed about for ages in the shop all indecisive about whether to purchase a toy theatre. There is something special about them, isn’t there? The same with doll’s houses and everything miniature.
I’ve felt a wee pang of regret on several occasions that I didn’t get a toy theatre though. Next time!

By: Lorraine

Lorraine — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 20:17:20 +0000

Fantastic to read the history of these toy theatres, they still fascinate me. Thank you.

By: pauline taylor

pauline taylor — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 22:50:34 +0000

Thank you GA. I remember that we had a toy theatre at home with a ship which seemed to sail on a very stormy sea, and pirates and a crocodile, all of which were operated by my father. Where it came from I have no idea but perhaps my grand father had something to do with it as he was born in Hoxton and lived in Whitecross Street, just off Old Street. Sadly I think that it was one of many things stolen when my parents were burgled in the 1970s, how I wish that I still had it !

By: Ros

Ros — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 22:32:43 +0000

I learned a lot today. Thank you!

By: Annie Martin

Annie Martin — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 17:35:33 +0000

Pollock’s survives in a premises just off Tottenham Court Road. They still sell their beautiful toy theaters and have a toy museum above their delightful shop. Google should furnish you with the address.