Harlequinade thumbnail 1
Harlequinade thumbnail 2
+4
images
On display

This object consists of 4 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Harlequinade

Costume
1960s (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The yellow tutu consists of a separate bodice and, tutu skirt. The bright yellow synthetic grosgrain bodice has elasticated shoulder straps and is finished with five star panels that overlap the top of the tutu skirt when attached for performance. It fastens at the back and is decorated with a pattern of black braid lozenges and with gold sequins and beads. The braid lozenges match those on the tunic of the dancer's male partner. The tutu skirt has a 12cm basque (which would have been hidden by the bodice) and has 12 layers of yellow tulle.

There are two versions of the tricorne hat. The older hat is black velvet and is much smaller than the newer one which is made in the same bright yellow synthetic grosgrain as the bodice.

Delve deeper

Discover more about this object
watch ASMR at the museum Our Theatre and Performance collection includes props and costumes from many iconic moments in the history of circus, dance, drama, film, opera, pantomime, popular music – and much more. Often these objects played their part in a spectacular visual and auditory experience, but when display...
watch Conserving a ballet tutu In this ASMR video, watch and listen to Senior Textile Conservator Susana Fajardo as she humidifies a tutu worn by Belinda Wright in the ballet 'Harlequinade' Pas de Deux. See how she carefully places acid-free tissue paper between the layers of the garment, and steams it to relax the fold...

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 4 parts.

  • Costume
  • Costume
  • Costume
  • Costume
TitleHarlequinade (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Artificial silk, cotton, braid, sequins, beads and tulle
Brief description
Tutu and hat for Harlequinade pas de deux worn by ballerina, Belinda Wright
Physical description
The yellow tutu consists of a separate bodice and, tutu skirt. The bright yellow synthetic grosgrain bodice has elasticated shoulder straps and is finished with five star panels that overlap the top of the tutu skirt when attached for performance. It fastens at the back and is decorated with a pattern of black braid lozenges and with gold sequins and beads. The braid lozenges match those on the tunic of the dancer's male partner. The tutu skirt has a 12cm basque (which would have been hidden by the bodice) and has 12 layers of yellow tulle.

There are two versions of the tricorne hat. The older hat is black velvet and is much smaller than the newer one which is made in the same bright yellow synthetic grosgrain as the bodice.

Dimensions
  • Top to base of bodice length: 58cm (approx)
  • Length of bodice opening at back length: 20cm
  • Outside waist circumference: 58cm
  • Under tutu crotch to hem length: 53cm
  • Length of tutu from basque to hem length: 33cm
  • Basque length length: 12cm
  • Inside waist circumference: 54cm
  • Height of brim of older tricorne hat (part 3) height: 3cm
  • Width, front to back width: 18.5cm
  • Inside circumference of hat circumference: 46cm
  • Height of brim of newer hat (part 4) height: 5.5cm
  • Width: 27cm (approx)
  • Length between point and back length: 21cm
Gallery label
(07/03/2022)
Gallery rotation, 2022

TUTU WORN BY BELINDA WRIGHT IN HARLEQUINADE
1960s

The ballerina’s costume for the flirtatious pas de deux (dance duet) from Harlequinade evolved while the ballet was in London Festival Ballet’s repertory in the 1950s. Ballerina Belinda Wright wore this yellow and black version on tours with her partner Jelko Yuresha in the 1960s. The tutu is created so that the skirt is separate from the bodice.

Designed by Eleanor Watts
Artificial silk, cotton, braid, sequins, beads and tulle
Given by Jelko Yuresha
Museum no. S.171:1, 2-2017
Credit line
Given by Jelko Yuresha
Collection
Accession number
S.171:1 to 4-2017

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 createdApril 10, 2017
Record URL
Download as: JSON