For my event at Swedenborg House in November 2023 I programmed artist, theatre researcher and performer Robert Poulter’s New Model Theatre show called ‘Pandemonium’, starring painters Phillippe-Jacques de Loutherbourg and Thomas Gainsborough. The entertaining true story tells of de Loutherbourg’s life and work within his own Eidophusikon (‘image of nature’ – a mechanical theatre) and paintings.

Poulter builds model theatres, writes stage plays for them and travels the world performing fascinating ,immersive scenes that are marvellous in their dedication to analogue techniques and the enchantment of visual storytelling.

The audience at Swedenborg House were absolutely thrilled to see the performance.

I had the pleasure of seeing Poulter’s work during my autumn visit to the picturesque coastal town of Ramsgate. To my delight, he showed me two model theatre performances. It truly amazed me how swiftly I became engrossed in the spectacle, a sentiment that was echoed by the audience at Swedenborg House. Despite our increasing reliance on screens in today’s digital age, it is heartening to witness our innate ability to wholeheartedly embrace the analog experience.

HAMBURG

This fact held true for young children as well, which was especially surprising to me. After meeting Robert Poulter, I decided to make my way to Hamburg, where the Altona Museum houses a life-sized Eidophusikon constructed by Robert himself a few years ago. Known as “The Cloud Theatre,” the museum offers monthly performances alongside remarkable model theatres. During my visit, I was delighted to witness a captivated audience of children, who were completely silent and filled with awe by the magical illusions presented on stage. Their excitement further intensified as they had the opportunity to explore behind the scenes and witness firsthand the intricate workings of this enchanting spectacle.

Above: Museum Curator Donata Predic and the team of volunteers who worked the Eidophusikon for the performance I attended. And a fascinated young visitor!

I was also very lucky to meet the art historian Rüdiger Joppien, who is an expert on de Loutherbourg (and much more besides). We were able to discuss the subject in depth and together visited the Cloud Theatre performance.

Meeting Robert Poulter and Dr Joppien was an incredible experience since, while I’ve been fascinated by de Loutherbourg for some time now, he is such an obscure subject (unjustifiably so!) that finding people who know about him seemed unlikely.

More on Poulter’s Eidophusikon