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.