“Visiting Cabaret Mechanical Theatre is like drifting into a bizarre and fascinating dream” – What’s on in London
What is it?
Well, it’s not a theatre or a cabaret for a start. It’s a kind of exhibition or museum (but we’re not keen on those words).
So, what is it?
It’s a collection of contemporary automata, which is a kind of mechanical sculpture. Nearly all of the work in the collection is humourous.
So where is it?
Most of the pieces are either on tour or being prepared for travelling exhibitions all over the world. Details of exhibitions are listed on our upcoming, current or previous pages. You can also keep in touch via our blog.
Part of the collection is currently in a special exhibition at the American Visionary Arts Museum in Baltimore.
Also, Paul Spooner’s Last Judgement, Keith Newstead’s Economic Cycle and other pieces are in on show at Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum in Detroit, USA.
A lot of the larger coin-operated machines by Tim Hunkin and Will Jackson can now be seen on Tim Hunkin’s Southwold Pier project.
Didn’t you used to be in Covent Garden?
Yes, we used to have a permanent exhibition in Covent Garden (1984-2000), but the lease ran out, expenses soared and the premises were too small.
In the meantime, we exhibited the collection briefly at the Kursaal in Southend (2000). We also attempted a business partnership with an American company. This has now been dissolved.
Where can I buy something?
We don’t have a physical shop, but we do sell via mail order and the internet to customers all over the world. You can see what’s currently available in our on-line store.
Is that all?
We also run workshops for designing automata, host special exhibitions and events, and hire out our exhibits to other venues.
To find out more about our workshops or hiring exhibits see our hire page.
When?
See the History page.
What about..?
Have a look around the site and if you still have questions get in touch.
For all enquiries (including Sales and Mail Order) please use our contact page. Or,
Correspondence Address:
Cabaret Mechanical Theatre, Unit 1, Basement, Rock House, 49-51 Cambridge Road, Hastings, TN34 1DT
Website Credits
- Designed and built by Gary Alexander
- Maintenance by Max Alexander