The brainchild of Penelope Sitwell, this exciting collection celebrates the glamorous worlds of the performing arts, television and film with unique material associated with many of the legendary names of entertainment.
In 1995 Penelope and Reresby Sitwell began conversion of the Georgian Stables at Renishaw.
There is a new exhibition in the gallery each year which usually has some connection with the Sitwell family (entry is included in the price of your ticket), They have been curated by the artist and friend of the family Timothy Morgan-Owen for the past seven years.
Cecil Beaton has been featured, Marilyn Monroe in 2005, artist Rex Whistler. 2007’s exhibition was about World War Two, and showed extraordinary and rare items such as Eva Braun’s nightie, Hitler’s diary, and Monty’s pyjamas!
In 2008 there was a fascinating ballet exhibition, with sculptures, drawings and costumes to appeal to balletomanes and lovers of theatre.
This year Barry Humphries, a friend of the Sitwells, has persuaded the Australian housewife and megastar Dame Edna Everage to lend some of her outfits, glasses, jewellery, theatrical awards and portraits, cartoons and caricatures.
About 20 costumes will be on show, including some rather arresting ones such as The Scream, inspired by Edvard Munch.
Dame Edna has also been the face of Mac cosmetics all over the world over the New Year and her own personal box is heading to Renishaw.
An exhibition full of extravagant, over-the-top, breathtaking objects – all words that describe the garments and their wearer. Impossible to miss!