Theatre lovers snap up pieces of stage history

The sale of props, costumes and furniture that had featured on stage over several decades was "a musical theatre fan's dream", a shopper said.

On Friday and Saturday, hordes of keen customers queued to purchase their own slice of history at Royal & Derngate in Northampton.

It was held to create some much-needed space but also raise funds for the venue and to help pay for the refurbishment of the Derngate Theatre.

Oskar White, from the charity that runs the theatres, said hundreds of "fabulous" items were on offer and it was "really good for the customers to come and talk to the staff about what productions they've been in".

White said: "Everything here has been in a production. Some stuff from 20 years ago, some stuff we are selling that was in a show just last week."

He said things like chairs, a toy box, a fake crocodile and Pinocchio were all laid out across its foyer.

"We've also gone through all of our archives, and we've put out loads of duplicate programmes and posters as well, dating back to the 1950s.

"So lots of history there as well, people to enjoy and grab."

Olivia Williamson, 28, a performer, who has appeared on the theatre stage, said the sale was a "musical theatre fan's dream".

She hoped there would be some items from a recent show - Top Gs Like Me but was "going to try and be sensible".

"It's such a rich cultural place, the arts are celebrated here and it's really special to be able to be part of that and take a bit of memorabilia from maybe a show that people have seen before."

Claire Evans, 53, from the town, came and bought a large variety of vintage clothes with her daughter, Mia Evans, 21.

Claire said: "My two eldest children have been in performances here so we were looking to see if we could find any old stuff from the shows they were in."

She said, sadly they did not, but she did find a costume for a friend as a Comic-Con outfit.

Mia said: "I've bought lots of clothes mostly for a pound each.

"I think spending any more than a fiver on clothes is quite ridiculous because there's so much we can reuse."

She purchased some brightly coloured pantaloons.

"I think the more luxurious we can make our casual wear, the better we can look as humans.

"If we're living this life, we may as well look good."

Kyrah-Celesté Reddan, 29, from Northampton, filled a whole trolley full of items including capes, jackets, candelabras, light fixtures, antlers, ornaments and baskets all for £60.

"I'm extremely happy.

"I love coming here, this is usually my few times a year when I get out the house and enjoy myself.

"To come and buy stuff and memorabilia, and give back, you can't beat that."

Caroline Tyndall travelled from Brick Lane, in London, where she runs a theatrical costume business, after being told about the sale by a theatre friend.

She filled a complete trolley with vintage items and said: "I'm really happy, yeah, yeah, yeah, really happy."

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