Toy Theatres: Worlds in Miniature transports visitors into the enchanted world of imagination that appeals not only to children, but to the child within each of us.

Toy theatres are the miniature paper theatres utilizing costume and scenery designs derived from the contemporary theatre that had their greatest popularity in the 19th century. The theatres, scenery and characters were sold in paper sheets, subsequently mounted on cardboard, cut up, then used for home performances of popular plays of the time.

The MPD exhibition -- on view during regular gallery hours -- features 21 rare toy theatres dating from the 18th century up to the present, drawn from seven different countries including the United States, England, France, Germany, Spain, Denmark and Mexico. Along with the theatres, there are printed sheets of scenery and costumed characters.

In modern times, with a resurgence of popularity in these magical, miniature worlds, filmmakers as diverse as Terry Gilliam (The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus), Julie Taymor (Frida) and Ingmar Bergman (Fanny and Alexander) have been inspired to use toy theatres and paper figures in their films.

Toy theatre performances are also making a major resurgence at festivals such as the Great Small Works Festival in New York, now celebrating its ninth sold-out year. Current toy theatre artists are crafting new plays created especially for the medium, ranging from traditional family fare to mature subject matter. For instance, the trailer for a full length toy theater version of Dante's Inferno is a big hit on You Tube.

The exhibition is available for viewing during regular gallery hours.

Images from the exhibition by Karen Law.

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