Hi, I am involved in putting on a production of Oliver in November, I am doing the costumes and have also taken on responsibility for the props, fool that I am! I have sourced one website where I can hire the knife grinders cart, coffins, a yoke, and long song sellers stuff etc but it's based in Hertfordshire and wondered if anyone knew of anywhere else as they don't deliever. We are based in Essex and, as always, have a small budget. If anyone can help with an advice I'd be most greatful. Thanks.

As has been discussed here previously, undertakers are a good source of coffins!
Whilst that sounds facetious, it's a serious remark - the last time we used a coffin on stage, we borrowed one from a local funeral director in return for a mention in the programme.

I should think that if you've found all this stuff in one place, it's worth hiring or borrowing a van and going to get it. Essex > Hertfordshire - even if you're at the far extremes of each the journey isn't going to be as much as 100 miles.

That's a good piont, if it's only 50 miles each way at the most.
Surely there is someone in the group who has a trailer or a van as suggested.
as it is only around the corner. The round trip would only be less than a couple of hours, unless they stop off to have a paddle at Southend?

Yes, I know a place in Essex that will deliver.

Hi We are Impact Theatre Company - Finchley. We are doing Oliver in June 2008. Please can you let me know the Hertfordshire props company that had the Organ Grinders cart, and whether you still havre any props for the show..which we will desperately need..

Mike Curtis - webmaster@impactheatre.org.uk
www.impacttheatre.org.uk

Hi, we didn't get them from the Hertfordshire company in the end because they eventually said it would be too heavy for stage work, and ours came with the set. For the remaining bits, particularly the wooden bowls we used a Manchester company who were very helpful and delievered to the theatre for the dress rehearsal. They have the full set their website is www.hwltd.co.uk email: sales@hwltd.co.uk phone: 01613350220. We have a few of the smaller props, wallets, silk hankies, pewter tankards, Mr Bumble's Mace, gold pocket watch, tatty blankets, victorian tea service with sugar bowl, wooden spoons for workhouse.

Tania Freeman - www.costumegenie.co.uk