Male ensemble for Because We Must
Dance Costume
1987 (made)
1987 (made)
| Artist/Maker |
This costume was worn in Michael Clark's ballet Because We Must, first staged at Sadler's Wells Theatre in 1987. Because We Must was an ironic, irreverent work which challenged the conventions of dance by introducing humour and unexpected interventions - such as a nude female dancer with a chain saw interrupting a trio of woman dancing to Chopin preludes. This crewelwork costume was worn by Leslie Bryant in a section performed to Venus in Furs by the Velvet Underground. A similar, female, version of the costume (S.102:1 to 3-2010) was worn by Lisa Philips.
These costumes were based on an earlier clubbing outfit design, made and worn by designer and performer Leigh Bowery (1961-1994). He reworked the existing theme - a structured body with balaclava - using the skills of Paris-based corsetier Mr Pearl (Mark Erskine-Pullin), who made the complex garments. Lines of appliqué were used to create a corseted look which still allowed the dancers freedom of movement.
These costumes were based on an earlier clubbing outfit design, made and worn by designer and performer Leigh Bowery (1961-1994). He reworked the existing theme - a structured body with balaclava - using the skills of Paris-based corsetier Mr Pearl (Mark Erskine-Pullin), who made the complex garments. Lines of appliqué were used to create a corseted look which still allowed the dancers freedom of movement.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts. (Some alternative part names are also shown below)
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| Title | Male ensemble for <i>Because We Must</i> |
| Brief description | Costume for a male performer designed by Leigh Bowery and made by Mr Pearl for 1987 dance performance, Because We Must. |
| Physical description | Costume for a male performer designed by Leigh Bowery and made by Mr Pearl for 1987 dance performance, Because We Must. |
| Gallery label |
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| Summary | This costume was worn in Michael Clark's ballet Because We Must, first staged at Sadler's Wells Theatre in 1987. Because We Must was an ironic, irreverent work which challenged the conventions of dance by introducing humour and unexpected interventions - such as a nude female dancer with a chain saw interrupting a trio of woman dancing to Chopin preludes. This crewelwork costume was worn by Leslie Bryant in a section performed to Venus in Furs by the Velvet Underground. A similar, female, version of the costume (S.102:1 to 3-2010) was worn by Lisa Philips. These costumes were based on an earlier clubbing outfit design, made and worn by designer and performer Leigh Bowery (1961-1994). He reworked the existing theme - a structured body with balaclava - using the skills of Paris-based corsetier Mr Pearl (Mark Erskine-Pullin), who made the complex garments. Lines of appliqué were used to create a corseted look which still allowed the dancers freedom of movement. |
| Bibliographic reference | This object features in 'Out on Display: A selection of LGBTQ-related objects on display in the V&A', a booklet created by the V&A's LGBTQ Working Group. First developed and distributed to coincide with the 2014 Pride in London Parade, the guide was then expanded for the Queer and Now Friday Late that took place in February 2015. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.101:1 to 3-2010 |
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| Record created | June 29, 2010 |
| Record URL |
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