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Theatre Costume

2004 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This costume representing the concept of Valkyrie was worn by a gloriously exaggerated Germanic showgirl in the musical The Producers which opened at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in November 2004 and ran for over two years. This was one of four similarly outrageous showgirl costumes on Germanic themes designed by William Ivey Long, the others representing the German sausage, German beer and the pretzel.

Based on the classic 1968 Mel Brooks film, The Producers was originally produced on Broadway where it won twelve Tony awards. The story concerns the failing Broadway producer Max Bialystock who aims to make millions by raising over-investment in Springtime For Hitler, a tasteless musical by an ex-Nazi storm-trooper which Max considers to be a guaranteed flop. In its scandalous closing number, the outrageously 'camp' Fuhrer took centre stage with four showgirls who paraded in the four unwieldy but hilarious costumes, including this 'essence of Valkyrie'.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 7 parts.
(Some alternative part names are also shown below)
  • Theatre Costume
  • Musical Theatre Costume
  • Showgirl Costume
  • Shoe
  • Theatre Costume
  • Musical Theatre Costume
  • Showgirl Costume
  • Shoe
  • Theatre Costume
  • Musical Theatre Costume
  • Showgirl Costume
  • Cape
  • Theatre Costume
  • Musical Theatre Costume
  • Showgirl Costume
  • Panier
  • Theatre Costume
  • Musical Theatre Costume
  • Showgirl Costume
  • Helmet
  • Wig
  • Theatre Costume
  • Musical Theatre Costume
  • Showgirl Costume
  • Choker
  • Theatre Costume
  • Musical Theatre Costume
  • Showgirl Costume
  • Body
Materials and techniques
Stockinette, organza, chiffon,. lamé, diamanté, artificial jewels, beads, plastic, hair, ostrich feathers, foil, leather, paint and fibreglass
Brief description
Costume for a showgirl dressed as a Valkyrie, designed by William Ivey Long for the London production of Mel Brooks's musical The Producers, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, 2004
Dimensions
  • Height: 200cm
  • Width: 124cm
  • Depth: 50cm
Dimension for whole costume measured on mannequin
Object history
Costume designed by William Ivey Long for a showgirl dressed as a Valkyrie in the London production of Mel Brooks's musical The Producers, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, 2004. The showgirl is one of four girls who appear in the closing number, Springtime for Hitler, dressed to symbolise Germany. The others are a sausage, a beer stein and a pretzel.
Summary
This costume representing the concept of Valkyrie was worn by a gloriously exaggerated Germanic showgirl in the musical The Producers which opened at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in November 2004 and ran for over two years. This was one of four similarly outrageous showgirl costumes on Germanic themes designed by William Ivey Long, the others representing the German sausage, German beer and the pretzel.

Based on the classic 1968 Mel Brooks film, The Producers was originally produced on Broadway where it won twelve Tony awards. The story concerns the failing Broadway producer Max Bialystock who aims to make millions by raising over-investment in Springtime For Hitler, a tasteless musical by an ex-Nazi storm-trooper which Max considers to be a guaranteed flop. In its scandalous closing number, the outrageously 'camp' Fuhrer took centre stage with four showgirls who paraded in the four unwieldy but hilarious costumes, including this 'essence of Valkyrie'.
Collection
Accession number
S.13:1 to 7-2008

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Record createdJuly 18, 2008
Record URL
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