Theatre costume

Physical description

Costume for the lead female dancer worn by Alicia Markova
[Theatre costume] Ballet dress in style of Romantic ballet dress of 1830s, of pale grey organdie. The strapless bodice is lined with blue net and white satin, is boned at the back and sides, and supported by flesh-coloured elasticated shoulder straps. the top of the bodice is edged with a folded band of black satin which extends into a series of bow-like tabs interspersed with small red silk roses, set on elastic, around the upper arm. At centre front of the bodice is large red organdie and silk rose surrounded with leaves and lily of the valley. The lower edge of bodice pointed and outlined with fold of black satin which continues onto the full skirt in three asymmetrical festoons linked by four large red organdie and silk roses surrounded with leaves and lily of the valley, ending in a black satin tail. The skirt is stiffened at the hem with a band of crin. Attached inside at the waist are two underskirts of fine sky blue net.
[Theatre costume] Headdress of two red organdie and silk roses surrounded with leaves and lily of the valley set at either side of the head, linked by black covered wire.

Date

1948

Artist/maker

Chappell, William, born 1908 - died 1994 (costume designers)

Object history note

Costume for the lead female dancer worn by Alicia Markova in Frederick Ashton's ballet 'Les Rendezvous', originally performed by the Vic Wells (now Royal) Ballet, Sadler's Wells Theatre, London, December 5th, 1933. The music for the ballet was composed by Daniel Auber and arranged by Constant Lambert. The scenery and costume were designed by William Chappell. The costume was made after the original 1933 design for Alicia Markova's concert performances in South Africa in 1948 and Britain in 1949.

Descriptive line

Costume for the lead female dancer worn by Alicia Markova in 'Les Rendezvous', South African tour, 1948 and British Tour, 1949.

Exhibition History

Spotlight, Four Centuries of Ballet Costume: A Tribute to The Royal Ballet (Victoria and Albert Museum 08/04/1981-26/07/1981)
Parade: Dance Costumes of Three Centuries (Edinburgh 20/08/1979-14/09/1979)

Associated names

Markova, Alicia (Dame); Ashton, Frederick William Mallandaine (Sir); Chappell, William

Production Note

Reason For Production: Commission

Materials

Silk (textile); Satin; Wire; Elastic; Net (textile); Organdie; Crin

Production Type

Unique

Collection code

T&P