Theatre Costume thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Theatre Costume

1949 (made)
Place of origin

Tommy Cooper (1921–1984) was one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers. Known for his red fez, bungling stage persona and razor-sharp humour, Cooper’s career spanned almost four decades and saw him tour extensively with his comedy magic act. He starred in his own shows, both on stage and television, and died during a live broadcast from Her Majesty’s Theatre in 1984.

When stationed in Cairo during the Second World War, Cooper mislaid his army-issue helmet during a concert and is said to have borrowed a waiter’s fez. The hat looked comically small on Cooper’s 6ft 3” frame and became his trademark, along with the catchphrase ‘Just like that’. Such was Cooper's fame that the catchphase was borrowed by SodaStream to convey the efficiency of its drinks machines.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 3 parts.
(Some alternative part names are also shown below)
  • Theatre Costume
  • Pantomime
  • Dress
  • Theatre Costume
  • Pantomime
  • Necklaces
  • Theatre Costume
  • Pantomime
  • Tiara
Brief description
Sheath dress worn by Tommy Cooper for his appearance as an Ugly Sister in a Syd Seymour’s production of Cinderella. The production toured Morecambe, Stockton and Oldham during the 1949-1950 pantomime season.

Necklace worn by Tommy Cooper for his appearance as an Ugly Sister in a Syd Seymour’s production of Cinderella. The production toured Morecambe, Stockton and Oldham during the 1949-1950 pantomime season.

Tiara worn by Tommy Cooper for his appearance as an Ugly Sister in a Syd Seymour’s production of Cinderella. The production toured Morecambe, Stockton and Oldham during the 1949-1950 pantomime season
Physical description
Sheath dress embroidered with metal-covered thread and dyed floral patterns.

Necklace decorated with metal chains and orbs.

Tiara embellished with white satin bow, beads and sequins.
Summary
Tommy Cooper (1921–1984) was one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers. Known for his red fez, bungling stage persona and razor-sharp humour, Cooper’s career spanned almost four decades and saw him tour extensively with his comedy magic act. He starred in his own shows, both on stage and television, and died during a live broadcast from Her Majesty’s Theatre in 1984.

When stationed in Cairo during the Second World War, Cooper mislaid his army-issue helmet during a concert and is said to have borrowed a waiter’s fez. The hat looked comically small on Cooper’s 6ft 3” frame and became his trademark, along with the catchphrase ‘Just like that’. Such was Cooper's fame that the catchphase was borrowed by SodaStream to convey the efficiency of its drinks machines.
Associated object
THM/469 (Archive record)
Collection
Accession number
S.727:1 to 3-2019

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Record createdNovember 13, 2019
Record URL
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