Borrowed robes
September 17, 2012
One of the main characters in the Scottish Play utters the immortal line 'Why do you dress me in borrowed robes'. Well the answer to this fashion dilemma is a) because austerity measures probably meant that second hand armour was relatively cheap to pick up down ye olde charity shoppe and b) the accelerated rise to the throne probably meant that the Dunblane tailors had simply not had time to measure him up for his regal garments so King Duncan's 'hand me downs' had to do.
So it's with these thoughts in mind that I enter the door to attend my costume fitting appointment at Arden Street to find out what my borrowed robes will look like. After all, it's not like taking three items into the changing room at Debenhams.
By the time I leave this wardrobe I'm going to have seen and put on my costume for Pericles. I'm half expecting to see 'Mr Benn' and the shopkeeper appear or be plunged into the world of Narnia... instead I'm met by the costume design team of Georgia and Chris who have the unenviable task of dressing the entire cast.
The design and selection of costumes to fit in with the overall world of the play is a challenging one and each and every cast member has had their own consultation about their character and what they will be wearing.
Chris and Georgia have a folder packed full of pictures and notes compiled for the show. Costume is the final layer to the character I always feel. We work on the text and find the clues about our roles, but the costume maketh the man (and woman).
The session is just like the dressing up box you used to play with as a kid. You are handed an assortment of items and once they are on, Chris and Georgia do their Gok Wan assessment, encouraging you to mix and match their chosen items until the final look is created.
There's lots of studied looks and debate along the way (fashion-turn to the left, fashion turn to the right ) as your transformation from idea to character takes form. Playing the part of a brothel owner it was very interesting to see how the costume duo would 'pimp my hide' so to speak.
Fifteen minutes later and I'm looking at the man in the mirror. It's me but it's not me. I feel like smoke's about to billow out , music start to play and before I know it Im stepping out on stage saying 'Tonight Matthew, I'm going to be playing the role of Pander'.
From jacket to shoes I look every inch the pimp. Georgia and Chris have worked their costume magic and my moment of sartorial eloquence is up for the time being. I'm back in the room and this Shakespearean episode of Mr Benn concludes.
And talking of shoes, the late, great Beryl Reid once said that once she wore the shoes it was easier to build the character from their walk. Hopefully, now I've been suited and booted, you'll be able to tell by the way I use my walk I'm a pimping man, no time to talk.
by Chris Clarke
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