Toy Tales at the Cartoon Museum

Are you sitting comfortably, children? Then you might like to know that the exhibition Toy Tales: Highlights from Classic British Children’s Animation opens tomorrow (July 7) at the Cartoon Museum in London, and runs until September 5.

The show focuses on some of the most popular animated children’s programmes produced in Britain over the past 50 years, and will feature drawn backgrounds, cut-outs, models, sets, posters, and animation cels from Ivor the Engine – above, by Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin – Noggin the Nog, The Pogles, The Clangers, Bagpuss, Roobarb, Morph, Danger Mouse, The Snowman, and Famous Fred, below, based on a book by Posy Simmonds (copyright Channel 4).

The exhibition it comes right up to date with Wallace and Gromit, Bob the Builder and Peppa Pig.

These are shows watched by generations, so the exhibition is sure to appeal to children of all ages (that means you too, grown-ups). The exhibition will provide insights into the creative process of animation including scripts, storyboards, preparatory drawings, animators’ notes and “animatics” (rough, early versions) as well as clips from the various programmes. A highlight is sure to be a complete set from Postgate and Firmin’s much-loved The Clangers.

The Cartoon Museum is at 35 Little Russell Street, London, close to the British Museum. It is open Tuesday to Saturday 10.30am-5.30pm and Sunday 12pm-5.30pm (closed Mondays including Bank Holidays).

Visit the Cartoon Museum website