Good morning dear Friends
Now that the presentation of the custom figures is done, I will conclude this little interlude with an episode in which the children of Regent St helped by the Klicky Parisiano will repay Louella Parsons, her handy man and Samuel Carter for heir arrogance and endangering the people of the street by their reckless driving
This is when my diorama will start as all the figures, vehicles and buildings will disappear to leave a large blank page upon which I will create the little world of New Regent St in its 2018 version helped by my 2 Gardeners Extraordinaires, Monsieur Firmin and Miss Periwinkle.
The buildings will be forming a L shape with a large avenue on the left hand side where the tram will circulate - I will create the illusion of 2 brass railway tracks - as well as the London double decker bus. This avenue will be a busy meeting point for my little victorians and the side walk will simulate the view of a belvedere with posters of popular 1900's London shows and attractions. The atmosphere will be vibrant and city like.
In the front of the diorama and the L shaped buildings, I wish to create a more intimate atmosphere of a 1900's residential community with its pedestrian only street with the grand department store boutiques on one side and of course Mrs Applepie's restaurant which will close this little cul de sac with a terrace filled with flowers and vine extended to a vegetable and fruit garden completed with a beehive, rabbits and a few hens. In the foreground, a little park with a large tree equipped with a swing and a little treehouse from which the victorian street children will observe the activity of the street since I want all stories to be viewed from a kid's perspective. The park will be surrounded by a hedge, metal grid and brick posts topped with a cascading flower pot and will be a popular meeting place for the market day or festive days with music and picnics.
Let's not forget Mimi, the little Flower Seller and her stand filled with seasonal flowers and bouquets.
Food delights will obviously be an important part of the scenes through the culinary delights of Mrs Applepie and I will also add the little expected victorian touches such as the mikl delivery boy, the chimney sweeper, etc.
I also wish to present the future diorama through the seasons starting with Spring / Summertime evocative of the original Mary Poppins movie with Julie Andrews, automnal with the warm tones, Halloween and a celebration of Apple and Wine and of course winter with a magical recreation of Christmas. So quite a challenge to take on for me.
The inteior decor will start of Mrs Applepie's restaurant and tearoom and will continue with the Grand Department Store which amongst other stores will include a bank and a jewellery shop which will not fail to attract the avidity of vilains and robbers such a Arsene Lupin, the Black Cat Burglar and a Moriarty to come who I want to be inspired by the 80's cartoon of a flamboyant character living in a unimaginable dump who spent his time planning to rob a treasure or a famous artwork.
These are 2 worlds which will cohabitate on a revisited version of Regent St, now strongly anchored in the beginning of the 20th century, a time when progress and optimism where in the air.
Our Friend the Electricity Fairy will bring its magical touch to the diorama.
Here are a few insights of the project to come which will start as always with a large blank page upon which I will add coloured paper cuttings to be replaced by the final decor whenit will be completed.
Wish me please lots of courage and see you soon for a fun little episode in which you will see the kids of Regent St taking their revenge on the 3 journalists who will be sent home with "the compliments of Regent St"
Do not hesitate to share ideas and suggestions with me for the diorama to come as it is for now a blank page...
I wish you all a great week
Karim