Not currently on display at the V&A

Costume Design

1981 (made)
Artist/Maker

A designer does not need to draw out every detail of a design; in this design, Alix Stone has just indicated the fabric as it is more important to show the structure of the costume.
Stone often drew groups of characters, giving a sense of how costumes related to each other, especially in their colours. These would give the makers an idea of how the colours blended into a stage picture.
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 possibly for Juliet in a production of "Romeo and Juliet", English National Opera, London Coliseum, 1981
Physical description
Three full length female figures in Renaissance dress, the left low necked, with one fitted sleeve with puffs, the dress bound under the bust and pleated on bodice and into skirt; pattern is indicated on bodice and part of skirt. The centre figure wears an over dress of pinkish yellow, the loose sleeves 'puffing' under the fitted upper and lower sleeves, which are decorated in gold, as is the tiny bodice; the dress is tied under bust over a white underdress with gathered bodice. The right figure wears a loose full length robe with full elbow-length sleeves bound at the elbow with a frill.
Production typeUnique
Marks and inscriptions
AS
Credit line
Given by Dr Ray Ingram
Object history
Costume design by Alix Stone possibly for Juliet in a production of Charles Gounod's opera "Romeo and Juliet", performed by the English National Opera at the London Coliseum, January 14th 1981. J. Barbier & M Carre's libretto was translated by Edmund Tracey. The production was directed by Colin Graham; conducted by Louis Fremaux; lit by Mark Henderson; choreographed by Pauline Grant; and the fights were arranged by Peter Woodward. The cast included John Brecknock as Romeo, and Valerie Masterson as Juliet.

The production was subsequently revived at the London Coliseum in January 1983.
Production
Reason For Production: Commission
Subject depicted
Associations
Literary referenceRomeo and Juliet
Summary
A designer does not need to draw out every detail of a design; in this design, Alix Stone has just indicated the fabric as it is more important to show the structure of the costume.
Stone often drew groups of characters, giving a sense of how costumes related to each other, especially in their colours. These would give the makers an idea of how the colours blended into a stage picture.
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.81-2004

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Record createdJanuary 13, 2005
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