Wig for a female dancer in George Balanchine's ballet Bugaku, City Center of Music and Drama, New York City Ballet, 1963

Wig for a female dancer in Bugaku, New York City Ballet, 1963. Black wig made from heavily lacquered woven horsehair cloth, sewn into a nylon net base. A bun, formed at the crown of the head, is trimmed with various small ornaments in Japanese style.

Given by Cecil Beaton

Wig for a female dancer in George Balanchine's ballet Bugaku. The ballet, with music by Toshiro Mayuzumi, was first performed by the New York City Ballet at the City Center of Music and Drama, New York on 20th March 1963. The scenery was designed by David Hays and the costumes were designed by Karinska. Allegra Kent and Edward Villella created the leading roles.

The work has also entered the repertoires of other ballet companies, including the San Francisco Ballet and The Royal Ballet.

The wig was given by the designer to Cecil Beaton, who gave it to the museum for inclusion in the Cecil Beaton Collection. Along with other Bugaku costumes given by Karinska, it was transferred to the collections of the V&A Theatre Museum in 1975.

This wig was made for a female dancer in George Balanchine's ballet Bugaku. This ballet, with music by the Japanese composer Toshiro Mayuzumi, was first performed by the New York City Ballet at the City Center of Music and Drama in 1963. The costumes were designed by Karinska and took their influence from traditional Japanese court dress.

S.391-1985