I was commissioned to create two 4.5m high collapsible vases and two 3.5m radius fans. The vases folded down like paper lampshades and were concealed in a large box from which they sprung up in a ta-dah moment. The fans, which lay folded at the bottom of two staircases, were pulled up by actors as they ran up the stairs to open them. I made the props in plain fabric for another scenic artist to paint using designs drawn by Grayson Perry’s daughter. This production starred Sir Ian McKellen as Widow Twankey.
![Aladdin 4.5m high fabric vases & 3.5m radius fans The Old Vic Theatre with dancers Dan Maier](http://extraordinarydesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Aladdin-4.5m-high-fabric-vases-3.5m-radius-fans-The-Old-Vic-Theatre-with-dancers-Dan-Maier.jpg)
![Aladdin at The Old Vic Theatre](http://extraordinarydesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Aladdin-4.5m-high-collapsible-vases-in-box-The-Old-Vic-Dan-Maier.jpg)
![Model of fan for staircases for Aladdin at The Old Vic](http://extraordinarydesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Aladdin-fan-model-Old-Vic.jpeg)
Inspired by John Napier’s fabulous costumes for Widow Twankey, I suggested creating a paper doll cut-out for the programme with interchangeable costumes which I subsequently devised. This became the programme centrefold.
![Paper Widow Twankey doll Aladdin Programme The Old Vic © Dan Maier](https://b2775859.smushcdn.com/2775859/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Paper-Widow-Twankey-doll-Aladdin-Programme-The-Old-Vic-©-Dan-Maier-1024x713.jpg?lossy=0&strip=1&webp=1)
![Paper cut out Widow Twankey dolls for Aladdin programme The Old Vic © Dan Maier](https://b2775859.smushcdn.com/2775859/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Widow-Twankey-paper-dolls-for-Aladdin-programme-The-Old-Vic-©-Dan-Maier.jpeg?lossy=0&strip=1&webp=1)