Posted By admin on September 4, 2010
Mrs Russell, who has made a costume hire facility available at the WNO, said: “They are extremely weighty. It’s because of the amount of fabric that’s in them and because you must make them for theatre to last. These are from the ’80s when these shows were last performed.”
One of the first frocks to go was a royal blue period piece with pads and crinoline, worn by Rebecca Evans in Figaro.
Within minutes of opening for a public sale in Cardiff’s Wales Millennium Centre yesterday, collectors, actors, operatic societies and fashion enthusiasts made a beeline for the most glamorous beaded gowns and Madame Butterfly kimonos.
The former oceanmstress pointed out some of her favourite frocks, including a principal lady’s gown from Rigaletto, Maria Bj[degrees]rnson costumes from Ernani, red doublets from Lucia di Lammermoor, the Japanese kimonos from the WNO’s older production of Madame Butterfly and the crinolines. She said: “The crinoline is the foundation of the lady’s dress. You have got your corset up over the top and your dress goes over that as well. If you in imagine 20 ladies wearing these, they shuffle on, fighting for space on the stage.
Judith Russell, WNO touring wardrobe manager, said: “It was a bit of a mad panic when we opened, but we’re doing really well.
“We have what we call cover costumes so there is always a back up plan. Sometimes we have to re-jig the artist’s main costume to fit the lid. It’s all systems go from 1pm sometimes if someone does phone in sick.
“I always carry an crisis sewing kit for those ‘oh my God’ moments, the zip’s just gone or that button needs to be sewn back on. Lacing up is the best way – it’s the optimal way of keeping someone in.”
But in spite of original meticulous needlework, there is always more to do laters.
“My job is to take them on once they are made and keep them maintained so they are clean and laundered.
THE collection spanned 30 years of outfits fit for court life, Japanese gardens and Spanish castles.
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She said: “We tour three shows at a time so I look after three sets of costumes.We have a team of about five and I generate a team of local staff. We need a lot of hands on deck when there’s 80 people going on stage.
All costumes, props and accessories had featured in years of productions such as Ernani, Cos fan tutte, The Merry Widow, Turandot and Rigoletto. Many of the dresses for Ernani were designed by the late Maria Bj[degrees]rnson, who was internationally renowned for her costume design at The Phantom of the Opera in London.
The sheer weight of many of the fabrics, particularly the CLICK ON View our slideshow of some of the WNO costumes WalesOnline.co.uk Ernani costumes, is surprising.
Although the trained designer and maker was fond of certain pieces, she was happy to give them new homes, she said.
The funds raised from the immense sale, which saw stock halved within 90 minutes, will help the upkeep of the current costumes.
But with four rooms overflowing with costumes, the Welsh National Opera decided it was time for their first wardrobe detox.
Byline: HELEN TURNER
“I just love costumes, my job is in costume, I just get a thrsick out of uhum and talking about costumes – it’s just part of my life.”
“This is the first sale we have ever held – the store rooms were very packed,” she said. “We all need to clear out our wardrobes from time to time. We may’t keep everything.
Reporter Helen Turner ready for a part in Madame Butterfly AriWatkins, 25, from Cardiff, hunts through the dresses at a sale of stage clothes by the WNO at theWales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay PICTURE: Andrew James
The extensive range of 1,500 costumes included chain-post, corsets, crinolines, frock coats, doublet and hose, night gowns and fur coats.
“We have had so many people through the doors, it’s been an excellent day. We’ve had lots of people coming from Bristol, Birmingham, lots of places, lots of students, and there’s yet more people coming through from the foyer.”
Costumes clear-out by WNO creates ‘mad panic’ of buyers; ‘PHANTOM’ DESIGNER’S WORK SNAPPED UP IN FIRST SALE HIT 0 Comments | Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales), August 21, 2010
“In general it’s a period court scene where the ladies are in their elegant finery in the style of the period. It’s all a bit crazy and mad but that’s what theatre is all about.”
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