In January and February 2022 Chroma Conservation carried out conservation treatment of the Safety Curtain in the Royal Theatre, Northampton.
The wonderfully painted safety curtain (‘Sipario Dipinto‘) was completed in 1978 by nationally acclaimed artist Sir Henry Bird, who lived and worked in Northampton until his death in 2000. The curtain’s design was inspired by Commedia dell’ Arte and Hamlets Mirror and includes figures from classical mythology and the early history of theatre, all painted in the artist’s trademark flamboyant style.
Portraits that border the curtain include important figures in the history of the theatre, including builder Tom Osborne-Robinson, actor manager Lionel Hamilton, designer Tom Osborne-Robinson, barman Denis Richards and Northampton Repertory Company actors Errol Flynn and the artist’s wife Freda Jackson.
Our scope of works included cleaning of the surface of the curtain, repairing the damage and retouching paint losses. It was an immense pleasure and privilege to work on such an interesting project.
Photographs and video by Andy Marshall
This important project was possible thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund grant.