[CUUSOO] Medieval Travelling Theatre

[Bobsy]

A similar project, this:

http://lego.cuusoo.com/ideas/view/25002

The snob in me ought to be sneering at the way it's all closed up in a box and all that, but I actually quite like the set and props. He's using big, chunky, expensive pieces, sure. But it's actually really cute, and totally convincing.

[Bob De Quatre]

A similar project, this:

http://lego.cuusoo.com/ideas/view/25002

The snob in me ought to be sneering at the way it's all closed up in a box and all that, but I actually quite like the set and props. He's using big, chunky, expensive pieces, sure. But it's actually really cute, and totally convincing.

It's a nice project, but it's just a normal theater.

I still prefer your creation, which is very well build, uses the right parts and fits perfectly in the existing civil medieval sets

[RaincloudDustbin]

I might support this.

[Wout]

I find this a very nice moc.

I sometimes played with the idea to build a moc like this, but I think this is better than I would build it.

[Bobsy]

Version 2.0 is live!

Lego Cuusoo Medieval Travelling Theatre by bobsy26, on Flickr

I've made a few much-needed adjustments and have re-rendered all the images of the theatre. The reverse side of the cart needed some serious attention. Previously the only feature on the cart wall was a tiny shuttered window, which was utterly useless since it opened up onto the back of the scenary. This has been entirely replaced by a blackboard with a fancy theatre logo on it, as well as two shiny statuettes to accompany it. A bit of glitz and glamour to the dung ages!

In addition there is another accessory, a folding sandwich board that can be stashed underneath the cart when it is not moving, and brought in the new 2012 horses to replace the tatty old static versions. Sadly LDD doesn't have the printing on them, so they're looking a bit plain right now, but hey. It's a start.

I've also added a FAQ to the bottom of the page. If there are any burning questions you have, feel free to ask them here, and I'll endeavour to answer them and maybe add them to the FAQ as well.

I am hugely indebted to Glenbricker (as are most people on Cuusoo) for the surge of support that happened in December. A casual mention on Brickset's news page meant that the support level doubled in a week, ensuring it got onto the top 10 most supported projects for two more weeks, during which it gained another 100 supporters. If one of those supporters was you, thank you so much.

It is a long, long way to go still though, so if you haven't yet given your support, visit the project page here and vote! If you're still undecided, let me know why so I know what to improve on!

Lego Cuusoo Medieval Travelling Theatre by bobsy26, on Flickr

Lego Cuusoo Medieval Travelling Theatre by bobsy26, on Flickr

Lego Cuusoo Medieval Travelling Theatre by bobsy26, on Flickr

Lego Cuusoo Medieval Travelling Theatre by bobsy26, on Flickr

Lego Cuusoo Medieval Travelling Theatre by bobsy26, on Flickr

[Faefrost]

I still love this set. Such a nice distinct little project. Not too large, with a broad range of time possibilities. And so well presented. I hope it makes it to 10k. Good luck.

[mephistopheles]

Supported. This was love on first sight. You did an excellent job here!

[Teh Stud]

I like this, and supported it.

I doubt it will become a set though, which is too bad.

[Ferrik]

That's a really great and new idea. I just love the little scene with the curtains and that lovely backdrop. And the cart itself is splendid.

[Vader X]

This is really great! I wish you good luck!

Unfortunately I have lost all faith in Cuusoo.

After the rejection of Western Modular theme project.

[gundamz]

Supported. Very creative idea! Good luck!

[moop]

The style fo the backdrop is astounding. I'd love to see this get made.

[Haltiamieli]

Great update! The wagon looks even better than before. I'd give you another vote of support if I could.

[Bobsy]

I like this, and supported it.

I doubt it will become a set though, which is too bad.

Why is that (other than the obvious fact it's not on 10000 votes yet)? If there's improvements to be made I'd love to hear them! Anything that can be reasonably done to make the set better will be appreciated!

This is really great! I wish you good luck!

Unfortunately I have lost all faith in Cuusoo.

After the rejection of Western Modular theme project.

That's a shame, but the reason the WMT failed the review was pretty clear-cut - it competed with the 79109 Duel In Colby City set pretty directly, and as such would not sell as well. These are just the realities we have to face. I think it's unlikely that Lego have a travelling theatre set in the pipeline for LOTR or Castle, but if they do, and it comes out while my set is in review, I'll take my medicine. In the meantime, we need to be optimistic and support the sets that we love and will make for great Lego products.

[kermit]

Now that is impressive and would go nicely with the kingdoms joust set it will definitely get my support.

[Bobsy]

Now that is impressive and would go nicely with the kingdoms joust set it will definitely get my support.

Oh man. Now I REALLY wish I had it built in bricks so I could put it with the Joust and MMV sets as a backdrop. That would be pretty special. Ah well.

But yes, it would be a perfect companion set to both. Ah, for the days when civilian castle sets were the norm...

[Teh Stud]

Why is that (other than the obvious fact it's not on 10000 votes yet)? If there's improvements to be made I'd love to hear them! Anything that can be reasonably done to make the set better will be appreciated!

Two main reasons, neither having any relevance to the quality of your creation.

1. The votes aren't climbing quickly enough. Either because it is lost in the mess of low quality posts, or because it doesn't have mass appeal. (Maybe both).

2. Because Lego seems to only select creations that are radically different from anything else they've ever launched, and have rabid fan bases. Minecraft for example. It attracts non-Lego fans. Purdue Pete will be interesting. Same idea as Minecraft but much smaller fan base.

I hope I'm wrong, because this is a cool idea and well executed.

[Blakstone]

I voted for this project some time ago. I think it deserves to be made. I think that it benefits from being a smaller project than many, making it more appealing than some niche or expensive projects.

I think what the project is missing is a large group of non CUUSOO members to rush the site and vote for it. LEGO would get a lot of the Castle and Historic fans to buy these. However, they would not develop any new markets with it. I do not know how to crack that nut.

[Lummox JR]

I love this concept dearly. I had an idea to do a traveling theatre group for a medieval village years ago, but it never developed anywhere near as beautifully as this.

I tried recreating this in LDraw from visuals, because I want to build this just to have it, but was surprised to learn from Bricklink just how few of the pieces are actually available. Some of the adjustments are hard to make. I was able to redo the backdrop with findable pieces, but the rounded 2 x 4 x 1 1/3 at the top doesn't exist in reddish brown, nor does a 1 x 4 with studs on one side which I assume is how the stage is built, and these two pieces seem the hardest to work around. Building the stage and wagon in a color other than reddish brown might lose some of its charm. Obviously most of the rest is fungible, but the stage design needs to be a certain way for stability, and the curved parts at the top of the wagon are appear to be as structural as they are decorative.

The stage problem is fixable, I think, by using a different color and then adding brackets in one of the plate layers; tiles can then be added to the bracket. The structure at the top of the cart will be harder to rectify unless I dip into other colors.

One thing I haven't seen in this build: I don't see anything to hold the stage in place when it's up. How is that accomplished?

[Niku]

I am going to support this.

[Blakstone]

Correction. I only thought I had supported it. I just double checked and added my support.

[Bobsy]

I love this concept dearly. I had an idea to do a traveling theatre group for a medieval village years ago, but it never developed anywhere near as beautifully as this.

I tried recreating this in LDraw from visuals, because I want to build this just to have it, but was surprised to learn from Bricklink just how few of the pieces are actually available. Some of the adjustments are hard to make. I was able to redo the backdrop with findable pieces, but the rounded 2 x 4 x 1 1/3 at the top doesn't exist in reddish brown, nor does a 1 x 4 with studs on one side which I assume is how the stage is built, and these two pieces seem the hardest to work around. Building the stage and wagon in a color other than reddish brown might lose some of its charm. Obviously most of the rest is fungible, but the stage design needs to be a certain way for stability, and the curved parts at the top of the wagon are appear to be as structural as they are decorative.

The stage problem is fixable, I think, by using a different color and then adding brackets in one of the plate layers; tiles can then be added to the bracket. The structure at the top of the cart will be harder to rectify unless I dip into other colors.

One thing I haven't seen in this build: I don't see anything to hold the stage in place when it's up. How is that accomplished?

Basically just friction - the stage assembly is attached with four clip hinges, which I figured would be stiff enough to hold the stage vertical and keep it from flopping down in general play. It may be I figured wrong, but it's not an insurmountable problem. You could very happily insert a clip mechanism to the cart roof, but I resisted doing so because it didn't seem necessary. I guess we won't know until it's built for real.

As for the colours, yeeees there are plenty of pieces that simply don't exist in the right colours. Interestingly enough this was the last LDD model I designed that used ONLY the Extended mode so that all bricks were available in all colours. These days I tend to keep things to standard mode so I could at least potentially Bricklink the pieces. And you're entirely right about every piece you mention; I use the stage plates as my go-to example for pieces that don't exist in the right colour yet because it's visible and easy to describe - they're CMF bases, which are currently only made in black.

I suppose if you really want I can email you the LDD file, which will help you see the construction better - although there's nothing too advanced involved beyond. I guess the only colour you could currently make the cart from is black, but it makes the whole thing look horribly dull. I've tried having the cart more brightly painted but it REALLY didn't work, because the backdrop loses it's impact - you need a neutrally-coloured exterior to make the bright colours of the interior stand out.

[Lummox JR]

I suppose if you really want I can email you the LDD file, which will help you see the construction better - although there's nothing too advanced involved beyond. I guess the only colour you could currently make the cart from is black, but it makes the whole thing look horribly dull. I've tried having the cart more brightly painted but it REALLY didn't work, because the backdrop loses it's impact - you need a neutrally-coloured exterior to make the bright colours of the interior stand out.

I'm having fun figuring out the design on my own anyway, so the LDD probably isn't necessary (not that I still wouldn't want to peek under the hood). I figured out the clip hinge assembly and realized it had to be tied to the "base" by the 1x4 with studs on the side. I think to avoid going with an all-black look, using 1x2/2x2 brackets and covering with brown tiles is a good way to go, with the caveat that the supports would have to be done a little differently. This might not be a bad thing. There will be more black in the final result but I think it can still look nice.

I suspect the clip hinge approach is not enough friction to keep the stage up, however. (Click hinges might work, but I don't know how those would align.) That wall is going to be relatively heavy and the center of gravity is offset outward from the hinge. Some kind of simple lock, even if it's a basic stud connection, to keep the stage in place while up would be ideal. No doubt though if TLG runs this set they'll come up with something, though if I'm gonna build this for me I'll need a solution of my own.

[Sir Walter Maugham]

Wow! I haven't been so hopeful for a Cuusoo project since Zelda.

You got my vote for sure.

[Faefrost]

I think what the project is missing is a large group of non CUUSOO members to rush the site and vote for it. LEGO would get a lot of the Castle and Historic fans to buy these. However, they would not develop any new markets with it. I do not know how to crack that nut.

If you changed the color to red and put a University of Georgia Bulldog on the side you would hit 10k in about 5 hours... sadly.