Opera hat which means hat, and "claque", which means "tap" or "click". The "chapeau claque" is thus a hat that folds with a click, and unfolds likewise. In English the hat model is usually referred to as a "collapsible top-hat", "gibus" or more often "opera hat"- The construction may originally have been inspired by an historical hat model called "chapeau bras" ("arm hat"), made as bicorne or tricorne to be carried folded under the arm On May 5, 1812, a London hatter called Thomas Francis Dollman patented a design for "an elastic round hat" supported by ribs and springs. His patent was
Top Hat (musical) to the precept of deferred gratification”. "London Evening Standard" critic Henry Hitchings described the show as “a bit slow hitting its stride”. "Top Hat" received positive reviews on blogs, with Zoe Craig describing it on the "Londonist" as “pure, fun, cheery escapist entertainment”. Bechtler's set design and Deamer’s choreography were praised (“This clever collaboration is clearly evident in every scene transition as the cast dance and interact with the set, making the whole changeover seem like a fluid part of the story") on "BestOfTheatre". Despite its mixed reception by critics, "Top Hat" won the Best Night Out award at the