Category: Costume

Originally I was doing the hair and make up for the performance on the night and in dress rehearsals and this was always the plan until we found out about our date change. The date change meant that we would not be able to get on LPAC stage the evening before our performance as there was another show the night before meaning all technical set up would have to be done in the day of our final performance which itself is a challenge due to the performance being so tech heavy. Rob Bull suggested someone who was able to provide a free service of hair and make up for the night of the show that he knew and would be prepared to do all hair and make up. At first I was apprehensive and did not think that this was needed but after seeing the schedule of the performance date it was mostly technical run throughs and since I was an actor I would be unable to be on stage and in the back preparing all make up and hair for actors. I then decided that it would be the best option for myself and for the rest of the theatre company to invite in help for hair and make up as I wanted all the cast to feel confident in their final appearance so they could completely be in character. Sarah, who did the hair and make up, came in early afternoon and did everyones make up during a spare 5-10 minutes we had or on a small lunch break and everyone was quickly topped up before we went on stage for the final performance. I stand by this decision as due to how little time we had on the day I would not have been able to do everyone’s make up to a standard I felt acceptable.

Hannah Smith.

Ex Wife Costume- Scene one

Ex wife after her first scene and Countess after her first scene

Idea for Housekeeper in her dream scene

Housekeeper costume after dream scene

Piano Tuner costume

Hannah Smith.

I managed to source a large amount of costume from the LPAC costume cupboard which was a great help in regards to the budget as I did not have a large amount of money (£50 only). The costumes I could not successfully get from the costume cupboard was mostly the Countess and the Snow Child along with small accessories such as masks and the feather duster. The whole outfit had to be bought for the Snow Child and Countess apart from the wedding dress. This was unfortunate, as half my budget had to go on buying the Countess’ skirt as it had to be large and elegant so it would reflect the Count and his wealth. Since half my budget went on the Countess I had to be careful from then on with other costume which meant always hunting around for the best deal. I managed to find most of the costume for reasonable price but unfortunately I had to ask for more budget due to last minute purchases. Luckily, set and props had at least £13 left over each so I was able to borrow some budget off them to be able to buy final costume. The main reason for borrowing budget from other departments of the theatre company was because the original corset for the Countess that was sourced for free did not fit as well as imagined so it was important to find an answer to this problem as soon as possible so a shirt was purchased to make the Countess look more elegant.

Even though I went over budget by £2.67 I felt I achieved good costume for each individual and they fitted their character perfectly. I also realised how important sourcing costume for free was as a large amount I got for free whether it be from myself or other cast members.

Hannah Smith.

Each character has a specific reason to why they wear a certain costume as it relates to their personality and relate to each other. They all mostly revolve around the count and his costume but they all have individual links and reasons.

Count-

The Count Wears black throughout the performance to show that he is dark, mysterious and evil. He slowly takes his clothes off during the performance to show that he doesn’t care about his appearance or his wealth any more due to the snow child dying but also to show that he has shed some of his mystery and evil as he has fallen in love.

Countess-

The first scene the Countess wears her wedding dress to show her innocence as it is white and has not yet been influenced by the Count as she has not yet married him. As the second scene starts she wears black to be similar to the count as he has moulded her into what he wants during this scene as she has her transition and a sexual awakening where she realises she is able to have power over the count so she is slowly turning into him. She wears black for the rest of the performance to represent that she turns dark and evil towards the end of the play.

Piano tuner-

The Piano Tuner will wear scruffy clothes to show that he is a peasant from the village but it trying to be smart by wearing a shirt, trousers and a waistcoat to live up to the expectations of the count and his wealth. He also wears theses colours to show he is neutral to what is going on within the play. It is important to show that he is not dark in any way but it just a good person who is trying to help the Countess. He is the neutral person who brings out love in the Countess but she is unable to let go of her obsession with the Count and the mysteries surrounding her about the Bloody chamber.

Snow child-

The Snow Child wears white to show she is pure and innocent as she is a child and has done no wrong in the world. She wears white to show she is not linked to any bad that is in the performance and this also links with the Counts white shirt when he slowly takes his clothes off which links them both together. It is slightly see through so the count is attracted to her as she looks slightly seductive without it being purposeful or over the top.

Housekeeper-

The Housekeeper wears typical clothing you would expect a Housekeeper to wear. She wears a blue dress as this represents softness which she is towards people at the beginning of the performance, if not a little pushy. We see this softness and up beat character change at the end of the performance where she is evil and this is represented though the black shoes which have always been there but no one really notices them on stage. This is to show that the Housekeeper wears blue to mostly live in the fairytale world but also has the black to show she is also in the corrupt world of the count.

Ex wife-

The Ex wife wears red to show danger and warning as this is what she experiences throughout the performance. She is a warning to the Countess about the bloody chamber. Her dress is also ripped, undone and tattered as this shows she has lived in the woods for a while and has not cared for herself. She also has slightly red and black eyes as she use to be with the count so has previously been under his spell and knows what he is capable of so the black around the eyes also links with his black eyes to show she was with him.

Angel-

The Angel is in black to show she is a dark angel and not one that is kind. She also has her face painted silver to represent a statue and to also link with the angels on stage.

Ex wives in chamber-

The wives wear masks to represent that they are no longer alive and have been used by the count. They wear red as a sign of danger and black to show they belong to the count as he also wears black.

Tree-

The trees wear all black as I don’t want the audience to see them as people and so the leaves and twigs stand out more to the audience.

Hannah Smith.

Costume

Count-

Jacket and trousers- navy or black or dark colour.
Shoes- Black and polished
Tie- Black skinny tie

Hair- brushed to one side and grey

Make up- White on face and dark, black circles around the eyes. Contour to enhance cheek bones.

Countess-

Top- Black corset or shirt
Skirt- Large black, flowing skirt
Coat or jacket- Black and elegant
Shoes- Small ballet like pumps
Necklace- Ribbon with gem so it looks like the throat has been slit
Ring- Large, diamond ring to show wealth
Underwear- Black

Hair- All back in a bun with a clip in side of head.

Make up- White on face and dark, black eyes. Contour to enhance cheek bones. Red lips.

Countess wedding-

Clothing- Wedding dress

Hair- in bun same as above with something in side such as a clip or headband which is white

Piano Tuner-

Trousers- Light grey/ beige coloured
Top- white shirt tucked out or slightly scruffy
Waist coat- light grey/ beige to show he is trying to make an effort
Shoes- Black shoes that are slightly dusty and scuffed
Hair- Taken to the side so fringe is out of eyes.

Make up- None. A very natural look is important

Will look into contacts for eyes- Depends if budget will stretch/ will the audience see?

Snow Child

Dress- Sleeveless white nighty- I want this to be slightly see through so it has a seductiveness about it but also a purity.
Socks- Nude/ white colour to show her child side
Underwear- Nude and white underwear & Bra to wear over top of nude.

Hair- Down and straight.

Make up- No eye make up with white face to show she is cold.

Housekeeper

Dress- Blue dress which is down to ankles with underskirt to make it large
Apron- White apron
Shoes- Black colour ballet shoes
Accessories- Duster, glasses and a broom

Hair- Taken back into a messy style bun

Make up- Very minimal and natural but it is obvious she has a little on as she still wants to make a good impression and look after herself.

Ex Wife

Dress- All red or dark red dress that comes below knee with full arms down to the wrist.
Tights or leggings- Thick black tights or leggings with holes in them.
Shoes- Black shoes for the first scene and brown boots for other scenes.
Accessories- Black hat or black hair piece. Black lace or normal gloves. Could carry a small basket with belongings in it?

Hair- Large, backcombed and matted to show she has been out in the woods a long time.

Make up- White face with dark and red circles around the eyes. Contoured cheek bones with deep red.

The Angel

Dress- Black dress which comes down to the knee
Shoes- Black shoes to match the dress
Face- Painted face that is silver to represent the statues on stage.

Ex wives in the chamber

Clothing- Black dressed with black tights or leggings.
Shoes- Black shoes
Accessories- Red masks

Trees

Clothing- All black clothing
Accessories- Leaves and twigs all over body. Masks that have been decorated with leaves.

Hannah Smith.