Theatre Costume thumbnail 1
Theatre Costume thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Theatre Costume

1960s (made)
Artist/Maker

Long tunic with full-length sleeves the the left side in bright rose, the right side in off white velvet which extends, into the left side in 'loops'; from these extend four lines of silver braid edged with white chenille, which continues around the 'loops'. At the back are similar 'wave' shapes. Around the neck, concealed by a double white nylon pleated frill, are appliqued white velvet leaf-shapes. On the right shoulder, concealing another 'loop' are clusters of bright rose net, set with iridescent beads, iridescent crin tassels and chestnut-dyed sponge and a group of greenish slate velvet leaves painted with blue veins and with spines of green chenille. A similar bright rose net swathe is fixed to the left hip and around the 'skirt' are greenish slate velvet leaves painted with blue veins and with spines of green chenille. At the wrists are double white nylon pleated frills. The costume fastens at the back and the body is lined with white cotton, the skirt with synthetic silk.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Velvet, chenille, silver braid, net, synthetic sponge, iridescent beads, synthetic silk and cotton
Brief description
Costume for Cavalier to the Lilac Fairy in the Prologue of Petipa's ballet The Sleeping Beauty, designed by Oliver Messel, The Royal Ballet revival 1960s.
Physical description
Long tunic with full-length sleeves the the left side in bright rose, the right side in off white velvet which extends, into the left side in 'loops'; from these extend four lines of silver braid edged with white chenille, which continues around the 'loops'. At the back are similar 'wave' shapes. Around the neck, concealed by a double white nylon pleated frill, are appliqued white velvet leaf-shapes. On the right shoulder, concealing another 'loop' are clusters of bright rose net, set with iridescent beads, iridescent crin tassels and chestnut-dyed sponge and a group of greenish slate velvet leaves painted with blue veins and with spines of green chenille. A similar bright rose net swathe is fixed to the left hip and around the 'skirt' are greenish slate velvet leaves painted with blue veins and with spines of green chenille. At the wrists are double white nylon pleated frills. The costume fastens at the back and the body is lined with white cotton, the skirt with synthetic silk.
Dimensions
  • Jacket, full weight weight: 1.6kg
  • Jacket, shoulder width, laid flat width: 55cm
  • Jacket, collar to hem, laid flat length: 83cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • "(printed) ROYAL OPERA HOUSE / PRODUCTION: (handwritten) SLEEPING BEAUTY / (printed) ACT: SCENE: / Character (handwritten) S. A. BENTON / (printed) Name / COVENT GARDEN" (Label; Left side)
  • "BENTON S A" (Textual information; Front neck)
Credit line
Given by the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Object history
Oliver Messel originally designed The Sleeping Beauty for the Sadler's Wells (now Royal) Ballet in 1946. The production underwent several modifications over the years and this costume dates from the performances by The Royal Ballet Touring Company in the mid 1960s.
Collection
Accession number
S.66-2003

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJanuary 27, 2004
Record URL
Download as: JSON