Wardrobe
The SDC have thousands of costumes ranging from medieval gowns to sixties mini dresses and 17th century pirate shirts to silk smoking jackets plus lots of pantomime outfits, so most of our shows are costumed from stock.
We work as a team with usually two members doing every other show, supported by all the wardrobe volunteers via our WhatsApp group chat.
As well as costuming 11 shows a year we are also working on a long term project to catalogue all our costumes and gradually moving all our hats to pegs to free up shelf space for shoes. Costuming our shows is mostly about researching ideas, organising actors and looking for items.
Sewing skills, whilst useful, are not essential but if you’re learning to sew it’s a great place to hone your skills as you get to make unusual items and the quality control is done by a blind man on a galloping horse.
Productions meeting
Each show starts with a productions meeting where the director explains what period(s) the play is set, the characters involved and any specific costume items required (like spats for Hercule Poirot). We find out the key dates for the show and explain we plan to have all the costumes sorted two weeks before curtain-up to avoid any last minute changes.
During Rehearsals
One or both of the costume team go to the first read through to get a more detailed understanding of the play and spot any quick changes required. The cast’s measurements are taken, we set up a Pinterest board and we start collecting costume ideas for the show. In the Wardrobe House we set up a rail for the show and start adding possible costumes from our stock. Each cast member has a 1st fitting to try on the costumes, with the director having the final say.
If we can’t find anything suitable in our collection and the actor hasn’t got anything they can use, we look in charity shops, online and contact hire companies. Occasionally we also make costumes – like the ghost dress in ‘Blithe Spirit’.
With all the costumes sourced and on the rail two weeks before the show opens, we have time to do any final repairs or alterations before opening night.
Show Opening Week
At the Dress Rehearsals we advise actors on any costume queries. We watch the Dress Rehearsals and note any final repairs/alterations/amendments like replacing a missing button or advising an actor not to wear a wedding ring if their character is single. During the run of the show we respond to any costume requests like finding an extra petticoat or sewing a button that’s come off.
After The Show
At the Sunday ‘Get Out’ after the final show we arrange for costumes to be dry cleaned or sent to laundry and returned to the Wardrobe house, ready for the next show.
Three Ways to Help SDC Wardrobe Dept
- Offer donations of unusual period clothes, shoes or accessories (particularly in larger sizes) by emailing us. We currently need men’s traditional lace up leather shoes in sizes 9-12.
- If you fancy popping down one morning and see what goes on, drop us an email to say which Sunday morning ‘Get In’ or ‘Get Out’ you fancy. They’re 10am – 12 on the Sunday before and Sunday after every show.
- If you would like to join wardrobe team just email us and we’ll get you teamed up with an experienced member on one of our shows next season.
Email address: wardrobe@littletheatresouthport.co.uk