Theatre Costume
1995 (Made)
| Artist/Maker |
This extraordinary costume is an imaginative design for a down-and-out in Mark-Anthony Turnage's opera Greek, based on Steven Berkoff's play of the same name which relocates the Greek Oedipus myth to 1980s London.
Although difficult to see under all the detritus, the costume is basically a raincoat, which the maker has covered with found objects that fit the character of a down-and-out: rubber gloves, hypodermic syringes, plastic and rubber tubing, newspaper, bin bags, shapeless pieces of knitting and trails of rope. The whole has then been 'broken down' with paint and fake blood creating the impression of wear and decay. Much of the decoration (such as the newspaper, rubber gloves and bin bags) is ephemeral, but the production was not intended to have a long run and the occasional tear in a glove or trailing bin bag only added to the authentic impression. However, in a museum environment, these materials create major conservation problems.
Although difficult to see under all the detritus, the costume is basically a raincoat, which the maker has covered with found objects that fit the character of a down-and-out: rubber gloves, hypodermic syringes, plastic and rubber tubing, newspaper, bin bags, shapeless pieces of knitting and trails of rope. The whole has then been 'broken down' with paint and fake blood creating the impression of wear and decay. Much of the decoration (such as the newspaper, rubber gloves and bin bags) is ephemeral, but the production was not intended to have a long run and the occasional tear in a glove or trailing bin bag only added to the authentic impression. However, in a museum environment, these materials create major conservation problems.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Mackintosh, newspaper, plastic, knitting, rope, paint, rubber |
| Brief description | Costume designed by David Blight for a member of the Chorus (a Down-and -Out) in Mark-Anthony Turnage's opera, Greek, English National Opera, 1990. Worn by Roger Monk |
| Physical description | Trench coat, broken down and overlaid with detritus, including newspaper, black plastic bags, plastic tubing, hypodermic syringe, loosely knitted panels, rubber gloves and trailing rope |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | The costume was designed by David Blight for a member of the chorus in Mark Antony Turnage's opera Greek, based on the play by Steven Berkoff. The production was mounted by English National Opera and premiered at the London Coliseum in 1990. The costume was worn by Roger Monk as a down and out in Trafalgar Square, where much of the action took place. |
| Summary | This extraordinary costume is an imaginative design for a down-and-out in Mark-Anthony Turnage's opera Greek, based on Steven Berkoff's play of the same name which relocates the Greek Oedipus myth to 1980s London. Although difficult to see under all the detritus, the costume is basically a raincoat, which the maker has covered with found objects that fit the character of a down-and-out: rubber gloves, hypodermic syringes, plastic and rubber tubing, newspaper, bin bags, shapeless pieces of knitting and trails of rope. The whole has then been 'broken down' with paint and fake blood creating the impression of wear and decay. Much of the decoration (such as the newspaper, rubber gloves and bin bags) is ephemeral, but the production was not intended to have a long run and the occasional tear in a glove or trailing bin bag only added to the authentic impression. However, in a museum environment, these materials create major conservation problems. |
| Associated objects |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.1097-1995 |
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| Record created | October 16, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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