Dundee’s McManus Gallery becomes the McMenace Gallery as Beano celebrates 80th anniversary

McManus Gallery becomes the McMenace Gallery. Art by Nigel Parkinson

Art by Nigel Parkinson

Beano Studios and The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery & Museum will come together this summer for a bespoke exhibition dedicated to the beloved Beano characters and comic.

In Beano’s 80th year, the special collaboration will see The McManus revise their name to ‘The McMenace’, for the duration of the exhibit from the 2nd June – 21st October 2018.

To commemorate the collaboration, Beano comic illustrator Nigel Parkinson has created an original comic strip, which sees The Bash Street Kids larking about and designing the new sign for The McMenace. The illustration shows The Bash Street Kids tangled in the ‘Waldella, Dundee’ by artist David Batchelor, one of the museum’s most popular exhibits.

The unique exhibition will have a large focus on The Bash Street Kids, whose conception was inspired by pupils from Dundee High School, just a stone’s throw from DC Thomson Media’s Headquarters at Meadowside in the city.

The showcase will explore the birth of the Beano comic and its development throughout the decades, looking at some of its best loved characters including: Dennis and Gnasher, Rodger the Dodger, Minnie the Minx and, of course, The Bash Street Kids.

Representation of the golden age of comics can be seen in the form of The Dandy and The Hotspur, which entertained the nation’s children on a weekly basis by writers and artists from DC Thomson Media.

“We think that the Beano’s 80th is an outstanding achievement, its influence shows the test of time as it is still so incredibly popular with children today, says Sinclair Aitken, Chair of Leisure & Culture Dundee. “We can’t wait to celebrate the birthday of this comic in its hometown. They have created so many iconic characters through the years from Dennis and Gnasher, Minnie the Minx to the fantastic Bash Street Kids.

“This exhibition is a very special collaboration between ourselves and Beano Studios and we look forward to welcoming visitors of all generations from near and far, when the exhibit opens in early June.”

“Dundee is the hometown of The Dandy and Beano, and so for us, there is no better partner than The McManus to celebrate our 80th milestone with,” says Mike Stirling, Head of Beano Studios Scotland.

“The exhibit will offer fans a glimpse into the history of the comics, and showcase the rebellious and fun characters of the comics throughout the ages and display how they still connect with children today.”

• The free exhibition opens at The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery & Museum on 2nd June 2018 and runs until Sunday 21st October, 2018 | Web: www.mcmanus.co.uk | Faccebook | Twitter | Instagram |



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