Not currently on display at the V&A

Costume Design

1969
Artist/Maker

Although theatre designs are often considered works of art and are sought after by museums and private collectors, their artistic worth or decorative qualities are secondary to whether they 'work' on stage. The success of a costume design cannot be judged until it is translated into fabric, texture and decoration by the costume makers and seen as part of the whole stage picture. Some designers are very knowledgeable about costume making and produce very detailed designs, with notes on fabrics and making techniques, others create an 'atmospheric' drawing, which gives the feeling of the costume, and they then either work closely with the costume maker to realise their concept or have trusted makers who know their work and can create the effects they have in mind.


Object details

Object type
Materials and techniques
Brief description
Costume design by Alix Stone for the characters in 'St. Joan', Meadow Players, Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon, 1969.
Physical description
Long narrow strip of twenty-two costume figures in medieval dress, split into groups, the first in sombre everyday dress in earth shades, the second, titled "Rheims" in heraldic costume and colours, brown, yellow and blue, the third, titled "Chambourd" in sombre red, brown and blue. Each character is identified under the figure with some costume notes. Group 1 is Boots (black cap) (quilted under) / Poulengy / Baudriucourt / Joan / Page / Dunois (armour); Group 2: Dunois / Joan / Charles / Hire / Archbishop / Bluebeard (hanging at back); Group 3: La Hire (metal) / Courtiers / Bluebeard / Dauphin / Tremouille / Arch Bishop (sic)
Production typeUnique
Credit line
Given by Dr Ray Ingram
Object history
Costume design by Alix Stone for the characters in George Bernard Shaw's play "St Joan", performed by the Meadow Players at the Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon, September 8th 1969. The production starred Nyree Dawn Porter as Joan.
Production
Reason For Production: Commission
Associations
Literary referenceSt Joan
Summary
Although theatre designs are often considered works of art and are sought after by museums and private collectors, their artistic worth or decorative qualities are secondary to whether they 'work' on stage. The success of a costume design cannot be judged until it is translated into fabric, texture and decoration by the costume makers and seen as part of the whole stage picture. Some designers are very knowledgeable about costume making and produce very detailed designs, with notes on fabrics and making techniques, others create an 'atmospheric' drawing, which gives the feeling of the costume, and they then either work closely with the costume maker to realise their concept or have trusted makers who know their work and can create the effects they have in mind.
Collection
Accession number
S.59-2004

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Record createdJanuary 13, 2005
Record URL
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