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Not currently on display at the V&A

Theatre Costume

1932
Artist/Maker

Costume for a Gentleman in the Coronation scene. Waist length doublet with pointed front, long full sleeves and round neck fastening at the back, of scarlet 'slashed' felt with off white 'undershirt'. The doublet is bound at the neck, waist and hem with off white felt. At the front, the scarlet felt is divided by narrow off white felt bands into six horizontal sections. Around the neck, the scarlet felt is overlaid with small vertical off white ellipses. Beneath the curved band extends from shoulder to shoulder and beneath the bold cut-away ovals, is a ruched band of off white felt. Across the doublet front are three similar bands. The lowest band is undecorated. The full sleeves are of scarlet felt cut and lined as the front of the doublet, the bands of cut-out ovals divided by narrow bands of off white felt. The sleeves are graduated to a fitted wrist. The back of the doublet is undecorated except for the off white bands around the neck, waist and lower edge. The doublet fastens down the back with hooks and eyes. The doublet is lined to waist in off white cotton and below in off white felt. The interlining is of hessian.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Brief description
Waist length doublet with pointed front, long full sleeves and round neck for a Gentleman in the spectacle 'The Miracle', Lyceum Theatre, London, 1932.
Physical description
Costume for a Gentleman in the Coronation scene. Waist length doublet with pointed front, long full sleeves and round neck fastening at the back, of scarlet 'slashed' felt with off white 'undershirt'. The doublet is bound at the neck, waist and hem with off white felt. At the front, the scarlet felt is divided by narrow off white felt bands into six horizontal sections. Around the neck, the scarlet felt is overlaid with small vertical off white ellipses. Beneath the curved band extends from shoulder to shoulder and beneath the bold cut-away ovals, is a ruched band of off white felt. Across the doublet front are three similar bands. The lowest band is undecorated. The full sleeves are of scarlet felt cut and lined as the front of the doublet, the bands of cut-out ovals divided by narrow bands of off white felt. The sleeves are graduated to a fitted wrist. The back of the doublet is undecorated except for the off white bands around the neck, waist and lower edge. The doublet fastens down the back with hooks and eyes. The doublet is lined to waist in off white cotton and below in off white felt. The interlining is of hessian.
Dimensions
  • Collar to hem length: 56cm
  • Widest point width: 79cm
  • Weight: 1.6kg
Production typeUnique
Marks and inscriptions
' A35 ' (Tape label at front neck)
Object history
This costume was worn in a production of the wordless mystery spectacle 'The Miracle' by Karl Volmoller at the Lyceum Theatre, London, 1932. The music for the production was composed by Engelbert Humperdinck, and the scenery and costumes were designed by Oliver Messel.
Production
Reason For Production: Commission
Association
Literary referenceThe Miracle
Collection
Accession number
S.74-1992

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Record createdAugust 4, 2004
Record URL
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