Not currently on display at the V&A

Theatre Costume

1971 (made)
Artist/Maker

Calf length dress with short frilled sleeves and wide V-neck in palest mauve artificial chiffon. The shallow v-neck is edged with a deep collar, trimmed with cotton fringing. Around the waist and elbows is an openwork cotton band overlaid with bold embroidery in grey and white textured cotton; attached from the band on the sleeves is a loose frill of the chiffon edged with the same cotton fringing as the collar. The skirt is banded and the hem edged with scalloped rows of the same cotton fringing. Attached beneath is a blue artificial silk strapless underdress, lined with white cotton, with pink elastic shoulder straps. The over and underdesses both fasten down the back with hooks and eyes.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Synthetic chiffon, synthetic silk, cotton, cotton fringing, cotton braid, elastic, metal hooks and eyes
Brief description
Dress for the Grand-Duchess Olga in Act III of Kenneth MacMillan's ballet Anastasia, designed by Barry Kay, The Royal Ballet, 1971
Physical description
Calf length dress with short frilled sleeves and wide V-neck in palest mauve artificial chiffon. The shallow v-neck is edged with a deep collar, trimmed with cotton fringing. Around the waist and elbows is an openwork cotton band overlaid with bold embroidery in grey and white textured cotton; attached from the band on the sleeves is a loose frill of the chiffon edged with the same cotton fringing as the collar. The skirt is banded and the hem edged with scalloped rows of the same cotton fringing. Attached beneath is a blue artificial silk strapless underdress, lined with white cotton, with pink elastic shoulder straps. The over and underdesses both fasten down the back with hooks and eyes.
Dimensions
  • Collar to hem length: 125cm
  • Across shoulders width: 48cm
  • Weight: 0.9kg
Marks and inscriptions
  • "(printed) ROYAL OPERA HOUSE / PRODUCTION: (handwritten) ANASTASIA / (printed) ACT: (handwritten) III (printed) SCENE: (handwritten) PARKER / (printed) Character (handwritten) OLGA / (printed) Name (handwritten) PORTER CONLEY (crossed out) / CONNOR VERE (crossed out) / (printed) COVENT GARDEN" (Label; Back bodice underdress)
  • "G. ROSATO" (Label; Back bodice underdress; Handwritten; Ballpoint pen)
Credit line
Given by the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Object history
The costume was designed by Barry Kay for the Grand Duchess Olga in Act III of Kenneth MacMillan's ballet Anastasia, premiered in the three-act version at the Royal Opera House on 22 July 1971. The role of Olga was created by Vergie Derman so the costume was made for a later revival when the dancers appearing in the role were Diana Vere, Sandra Conley, Marguerite Porter, Laura Connor and Genesia Rosato.
Collection
Accession number
S.29-2003

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Record createdSeptember 17, 2003
Record URL
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