The magic lantern or Laterna Magica is an early type of image projector employing pictures on sheets of glass. Developed in the 17th century, they were commonly used for educational and entertainment purposes.

The Theatre Collection holds several sets of late nineteenth century magic lantern slides. A slide show of each story can be viewed from the links below:

• Christmas in Paradise (PDF, 1,025kB) (ref.TCP/LS/000003)
• Rare Metal (PDF, 912kB) (ref.TCP/LS/000004)
• The Life Boat (PDF, 393kB) (ref.TCP/LS/000005)
• Nellies Prayer (PDF, 510kB) (ref.TCP/LS/000006)
• The Matrons Story (PDF, 519kB) (ref.TCP/LS/000007)
• Little Jim (PDF, 326kB) (ref.TCP/LS/000008)
• Scrub, the Workhouse Boy (PDF, 651kB) (ref.TCP/LS/000009)
• Interval Slides (PDF, 368kB) (ref.TCP/LS/000010/001-005)
• Registration Slides (PDF, 213kB) (ref.TCP/LS/000010/006-008)

The slide readings to accompany these stories can be viewed in the Theatre Collection's reading room on request, alternatively they can be purchased from the The Magic Lantern Society.

The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum in Exeter also holds an impressive collection of magic lantern slides.