Toy theatre sheet representing key characters forom Oliver Twist: c.1870

Handcoloured toy theatre title and first character plate for the play Oliver Twist. The sheet is printed with 7 figures representing key characters from the play including Oliver, Bill Sikes and Bumble. The title printed in the centre of the plate reads 'Redington's characters and scenes in Oliver Twist, 6 plates characters, 1 set piece, 3 wings and 13 scenes Total 23'.
The huge popularity of Charles Dickens's novel Oliver Twist inspired playwrights to immediately adapt the book for the stage. By the end of 1838 three different dramatic productions of Oliver Twist were being performed in London’s theatres. The enduring popularity of the play and novel is reflected in the publication of this original toy theatre version by John Redington between 1866 and 1876.