Life is a theatre set in which there are but few practicable entrances.
Victor Hugo
The origins of the Juvenile Drama can be traced back to Robert Dighton who was the first popular artist to produce inexpensive full length coloured portraits of theatre actors in their favourite roles at the turn of the 19th Century. These proved to be particularly popular keepsakes of theatrical productions and evolved over time to become affordable printed sheets detailing all of the principle characters in a production. Further developments would embellish these by introducing more of the supporting cast along with alternative illustrated costume elements and gestural poses for the characters portrayed.
Since these character sheets became highly popular and collectable it soon followed that the scenes from the original production could also be reproduced to the same scale. Here then you had a complete drama reproduced in miniature. These sheets were normally sold for a penny plain - to be coloured up at home, or for two pence having been already hand coloured at the shop.
​
So what would a Juvenile Drama be without its characters? Now get to know our main protagonists from 'The Four Half-Horsemen", in penny plain form, a little better...
MINIATURE LIGHTING RIG
​
Our model theatre doesn't have gas lights to create visual effects (!), but does benefit from a carefully arranged series of miniature candle bulbs for footlights and coloured LED spot lights which can be mounted at strategic points on the theatre frame. The timber frame allows for a series of four
drops and wings to be dropped in between the back of the stage and the proscenium.
SCENERY & PROP MAKING
As with the traditional toy theatres, all of the scenery and props in our Juvenile Drama productions are illustrated by hand before being coloured, mounted onto stiff card and cut out - again by hand. This craft element is important to us and you can see the scale we're working at here -
the main backdrop measures the size of one A4. There are no three dimensional elements. Again, as with the traditional productions, everything is produced in the flat and then assembled in a layered format to create the depth in a scene.
WIKYTHIA, TEMPLE OF APOLLO XIII
Wikythia is the earth's core processor. Part oracle, part encyclopedia of all knowledge, she hovers suspended over the Well of Wisdom inside the Temple of Apollo XIII, Fumusopolis. Here she channels the earths consciousness, imparting her advice to travellers who come seeking her insight
​
from far and wide. But one must be careful not to hear only what one wants to hear, since some of her sources are flawed, unreliable witnesses.
THE TEMPLE OF SILENUS, WORLDS END
Below his temple at World's End, Silenus lies; not dead but hungover.
​
Silenus is one of the Minor Young Things - a lesser known deity. He is discovered by The Four who then embark on a journey to discover how and why
Silenus has broken the plain between the heavens and the earth. Despite a known penchant for Nectar of the Grapes, Silenus has apparently been mixing his drinks with a strange brew known only as 'Faux Beer'. Could identifying where this has come from provide a clue to Silenus current state?
THE HOUSE OF FAUN, FUMUSOPOLIS
101 Descension Row is the state residence of Premier Grievous Krück - First Minister of Primaterra. The area is heavily monitored by 'SEE-SAW TV' and patrolled by the totalitarian Governments much feared Psych-Cops. The premier is highly reclusive, rarely venturing outside the house except to deliver carefully worded
​
propaganda and political statements which are broadcast around the capital city, Fumusopolis, via a series of tannoy's and projections.
THE FAKES PROGRESS, FUMUSOPOLIS
Once the pea and ham soupers that have been clouding the city in recent times have receded, The Four find themselves at the Fumusopolis Skydocks.
Warned they will never find a more wretched hive of frothy impropriety, they proceed with caution.
The Fakes Progress is the notorious home of
​
​
Wm. Fauxgarth's synthetically brewed 'Unreal Ales'. made with Ersatz Hops and Barely Barley. The company's exported barrels of 'Faux Beer' found their way to the 'The End of the World Party'. But how, why and what part did they play in the current state of things?
SATYRDEUS EVENING UNDEAD
Classical theatre can't have Tragedy without Comedy. Or Satyr. This long running weekly light entertainment show hosted by yours truly is broadcast on Empty V - regularly voted 'Nobody's Favourite Satyrlite Channel.'
​
Regular acts on the show include Les Deux Johannes, Mr.Trick (The Shit Magician) and H.P.Lovecraft reading Cosmic Horror Scopes. Music is performed by the Juvenile Drama house band Dr.Thalamus and the Craniums.
SATYRDEUS EVENING UNDEAD SET
The TV Studio Set features a giant illuminated Hellmouth from which the performers emerge. During the opening credit sequence we are treated to the electric guitar work of Hack and catch a glimpse of chief cinematographer, Cindacula.
​
The set is embellished either side of the Hellmouth with appropriate props for each of the subsequent performers, along with lighting changes. The one exception is for Les Deux Johannes whose appearances take place in the C.O.JONES shop.
