Pop-up book theatre set

Made in 1973, this giant pop-up book designed and painted by the Paisleyborn artist John Byrne was the original stage set for The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, Black Oil, John Mcgrath’s influential play about the history and exploitation of the Highlands.

Measuring more than three by four metres when open and over two metres tall, it was made up of just five scenes, including a Highland landscape, a croft house and a poppystrewn war memorial.

Its compact design meant it could easily be transported on the top of a van and quickly set up in village halls as the show was toured around Scotland by the 7:84 Theatre Company.