The oldest and last toyshop in Covent Garden. We live for Christmas. Help us produce 'The Nutcracker' a paper theatre by John Macfarlane.
by Louise Heard in London, Greater London, United Kingdom
The initial pledges will pay for the first run of The Nutcracker. With your investment we can go onto to produce more of the series to help us through next year. Next in production is an updated version of a production staged in 1921. 100 years later we need to make a toy theatre for children of the 2020s. We want to keep the tradition but engage the next generation to keep theatre and toy theatre alive.
40 years of independent shopkeeping was brought to a halt in March 2020 but after three lockdowns Benjamin Pollock's Toyshop is back and raring to go boldly into 2022 with exciting new products and projects. Please join us, you’ll be in good company!
As a boy John Macfarlane was shown how to make a miniature theatre from a matchbox by his father. Now as a distinguished and world renowned theatre designer John has returned to his childhood love for model theatres by painting an exclusive proscenium for Benjamin Pollock's Toyshop which will be turned into a printed model paper theatre.
Birmingham Royal Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker with sets by John Macfarlane is to be transformed by British paper designers Cutture into exquisite miniature forms for all budgets. The costumes and sets will be lovingly recreated - not only will you be able to purchase an original and limited pop-up card, paper theatre or luxury paper model based on John’s designs, you will have the chance to be part of theatrical history by pledging a reward for one.
This series of highly original theatres in miniature continues the tradition that Benjamin Pollock started in the 1880s. In the last decade, we have revived this unique British theatrical heritage by collaborating with contemporary artists to produce new works.
‘To play’ - to play a game, to play with toys or friends, to play music or to put on a play. Our mission at Benjamin Pollock's Toyshop is to celebrate and promote the idea of ‘play’ in the best sense, to bring to our customers the joy and delight of playing with toys and the creativity they can unlock in our imaginations.
To quote Robert Louis Stevenson, who wrote this about our namesake: “If you love art, folly and the bright eyes of children..then speed to Pollocks”!
Thank you to all our customers and dedicated supporters.
We have received testimonials from Emma Thompson, The New York Daily News, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ralph Fiennes, Joanna Lumley, Nigel Slater, Claridges and West End Live among others.
“One of the shops I adore is Pollock’s Toyshop - you have to look for it, you have to go upstairs...it’s honestly lIke stepping back into a Dickens story”. Joanna Lumley, Voices at One for One Aldwych.
"This has to be the most charming shops on the planet' - Shop customer 2021
This project offers rewards in return for your donation. Please select a reward below.