The Triumph of Neptune Grand Day Out

Serge Diaghilev's Russian Ballets had delighted European and English audiences since 1909 with new music, scenery, costumes and dancing by stars such as Nijinsky. In 1926, he asked his friend, writer Sacheverell Sitwell, to think of an English ballet theme as a tribute to his supporters. They went to darkest Hoxton and visited the two surviving makers of toy theatres, Benjamin Pollock and H J Webb. Diaghilev was enchanted by their brightly colour prints and they left with armfuls of these to make a storyline to music by the eccentric composer Lord Berners.

100 years on, the exhibition, presented by the Pollock's Toy Museum Trust (Registered Charity 313622) evokes the ballet, with reconstructed scenery, historic objects, music and two authentic Diaghilev costumes on special loan from the John Bright Collection. As well as the exhibition, visitors can join tours of the historic Renishaw Hall, preserved with 200 years of furnishings and art including a set of paintings by John Piper, visit the spectacular Italian style gardens, and listen to expert talks on the ballet, the Sitwells and toy theatre. Lunch included.

The exhibition will be open to visitors to Renishaw Hall and Gardens, Wednesday to Sunday, from 22 April to Christmas 2026. For more information, go to https://renishaw-hall.co.uk/your-visit/

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Host or Publisher Pollock's Toy Museum Trust