Costume Designs
In over 600 productions staged at the National Theatre virtually every period of dress has been researched and realized for the stage. For every production at the NT the Archive receives a 'costume bible.'
Put together by the costume supervisor this file documents the work of the costume designer by collecting together their designs, swatches of material from the costumes, buttons and beads, various notes and measurements gathered during the design process, and the costume plot. Both before an audience and backstage, theatre is one of the most collaborative of arts: the costume designer will liaise with the director, set and lighting designers to establish a coherent 'look' for the production. The costume bible for our 1996 revival of Guys and Dolls comprises seven files full of rough sketches and finished designs, photographs of actors modelling their costumes, and hand-written notes for the dressers and stage management teams. The costumes are further documented in the Archive's collections of production photographs and its performance video collection. At the end of a play's run its costumes are retired to the NT Costume Hire Store, where they will be cleaned, mended and made available for future shows or for hire.
Metropolis Kabarett
Metropolis Kabarett, costume and set designer Madeline Herbert.
As part of an experiment with temporary theatre space the set design for Metropolis Kabarett transformed the NT Terrace Café, creating an intimate space for these satirical sketches on London life.
For Services Rendered
For Services Rendered, 1979 - designer Carl Toms, photograph John Haynes.
The Miser
The Miser, 1991 – designer Ashley Martin-Davis.
Image of Brindavoine, Harpagon's lackey.
Dragon
Dragon, 1992 – designer Ultz.
Image of the Burgomaster and the mechanism under his dress.
My Fair Lady
My Fair Lady, 2001 – designer Anthony Ward.
Eliza before and after.
Wind in the Willows
The Wind in the Willows, 1990 - designer Mark Thompson.
Image of Ratty and Moley at Badgers.
Making History
Making History, (1988) Designer Martin Chitty.
An example of a costume bible showing swatches of material corresponding to the designer's drawing.'
Costume Links
www.museumofcostume.co.uk
The Museum of Costume, Bath. One of the world's finest collections of fashionable dress and accessories.
www.costumesociety.org.uk
For over thirty years the Costume Society of Great Britain has encouraged and supported the study of all aspects of clothing
www.costumegallery.com
The Costume Gallery researches, for a fee, historic costumes for private individuals, authors, designers, theatre, film and television.
www.milieux.com/costume/
Lists hundreds of Costume links.
