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Not currently on display at the V&A

Theatre Costume

1945 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This costume was worn by Laurence Olivier (1907-1989), accounted by many to be the greatest actor of his generation, in one of his legendary performances - Oedipus in 1945. Sophocles's tragedy is one of the world's earliest surviving plays, tracing the tragedy of Oedipus, who blinds himself when he discovers that he has unknowingly married his own mother. Olivier's cry of tormented anguish has gone down as one of the greatest moments of 20th century theatre.

The costume, designed by Marie-Hélène Dasté, is strikingly austere, in keeping with the overall atmosphere of the play. It was made at a time of great deprivation in Britain, when fabrics were strictly rationed, but this has been turned to advantage. The only decorations on the basic deep blue wool tunic are moulded, gold-painted leather motifs, which give weight and authority; while the sense is of some archaic period, the overall feeling is of timelessness, in keeping with the universal themes of Sophocles's play.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Wool, metal plaques, moulded leather and paint
Brief description
Costume designed by Marie-Hélène Dasté for Oedipus in Sophocles's play, Oedipus Rex, worn by Laurence Olivier, Old Vic Company at the New Theatre, 1945
Physical description
Navy wool tunic with short burgundy sleeves, the neck, shoulders and lower edge trimmed with a line of gold-painted plaques of moulded leather and metal.
Dimensions
  • Height: 180cm
  • Width: 90cm
  • Depth: 60cm
Object history
Costume worn by Laurence Olivier as Oedipus in Sophocles's play, Oedipus Rex, Old Vic Company at the New Theatre, 1945. Oedipus was directed by Michel Saint-Denis. Miles Malleson directed The Critic, in which Olivier played Mr Puff.
Summary
This costume was worn by Laurence Olivier (1907-1989), accounted by many to be the greatest actor of his generation, in one of his legendary performances - Oedipus in 1945. Sophocles's tragedy is one of the world's earliest surviving plays, tracing the tragedy of Oedipus, who blinds himself when he discovers that he has unknowingly married his own mother. Olivier's cry of tormented anguish has gone down as one of the greatest moments of 20th century theatre.

The costume, designed by Marie-Hélène Dasté, is strikingly austere, in keeping with the overall atmosphere of the play. It was made at a time of great deprivation in Britain, when fabrics were strictly rationed, but this has been turned to advantage. The only decorations on the basic deep blue wool tunic are moulded, gold-painted leather motifs, which give weight and authority; while the sense is of some archaic period, the overall feeling is of timelessness, in keeping with the universal themes of Sophocles's play.
Collection
Accession number
S.768-1997

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Record createdOctober 1, 2008
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