Costuming Alice

My last count for costumes was 72 which makes it, possibly, our most ambitious project to date and Singers, not Sinners, by Livi Michael and Carol Davies, a walk in the historic park! I could well be wrong on the count though, as once I got above 60 I gave into a little mild, incredulous panic! When you consider that each costume has multiple elements from hats and goggles to socks and shoe buckles, not to mention waistcoats and cravats and cummerbunds you get into the 100s of individual items at which I draw the line at even contemplating!

Of course, we’ve only got ourselves to blame. A cast of thousands all multi-role-ing was bound to be costume heavy and 6 lobsters and a caterpillar are hardly off the peg outfits. However, the challenge was duly accepted by the Costume Team and we’ve been adapting and stitching ever since. There may even have been times amidst the piles of fabric and the mayhem that we’ve actually enjoyed ourselves! 

If you cast your eye over the photographs I’m sure you’ll agree that this production of Alice is going to be visually arresting and gloriously fun! I have to thank all the actors, who’ve been dropping in on Wednesdays and during rehearsals for fittings, for being such good sports. You have to be a great team player with a huge sense of humour to dress up with baggy pants and animal ears and not complain a jot!

You also need to be exceptionally creative and patient to turn lampshades into headdresses, Christmas tree decorations into crowns and 22 yards of pink fabric into lobsters. Let’s hear an extra callooh! callay! For Sue Lund and Carol Davies.