Theatre Costume
1964 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
An Inca mask, designed by Michael Annals for the premiere of Peter Shaffer's epic play, The Royal Hunt of the Sun, by National Theatre Company in 1964. The play tells the story of the Spanish conquest of Peru and the death of the god-king, Atahuallpa. Michael Annals devised a spectacular staging, based on the emblem of the sun, and dressed the Incas in dazzling masks and headdresses. 'We drowned the stage with gold and feathers', said Shaffer. It was a triumph of design which established the 26-year-old Annals as a major talent.
This mask is a good example of the ingenuity of the theatrical costume maker. From a distance it appears to be made of beaten copper, but it is, in fact, constructed from fibreboard covered in painted leatherette and is decorated with metal upholstery studs.
This mask is a good example of the ingenuity of the theatrical costume maker. From a distance it appears to be made of beaten copper, but it is, in fact, constructed from fibreboard covered in painted leatherette and is decorated with metal upholstery studs.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 12 parts. (Some alternative part names are also shown below)
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Materials and techniques | Fibreboard, painted leatherette, upholstery studs, copper foil, pheasant feathers and elastic |
Brief description | Inca mask, designed by Michael Annals for Peter Shaffer's play, The Royal Hunt of the Sun, National Theatre Company, Chichester Festival Theatre and Old Vic, 1964; ANTA Theatre, New York, 1965 |
Physical description | High crested half mask with comb-like top, made from fibreboard covered in leatherette painted with gold, brown and black pigments to suggest beaten metal. The crest is decorated with two oval eye shapes in applied fibreboard covered in copper foil and with metal upholstery studs and pheasant feathers. A triangular decoration above the wearer's eyes has lost its leatherette covering. Eye piece missing. Attached to the reverse of the crest by metal clips are ten elastic strips to hold the feathers. Three pieces of black elastic, designed to fit over the wearer's head, are stapled to the reverse. |
Dimensions |
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Credit line | Given by Dodger Stage Holding Theatricals Inc |
Object history | This mask was designed by Michael Annals for the premiere of The Royal Hunt of the Sun, which John Dexter directed for the National Theatre Company in 1964. The production opened at the Chichester Festival Theatre and then transferred to the Old Vic. Following its British success, Dexter re-staged the play for the ANTA Theatre, New York, using the same production team. The masks made for the National Theatre were re-used in the Broadway production. Historical significance: A fortunate survival from a significant theatre production of the 1960s. Peter Shaffer's epic play was the newly established National Theatre Company's first premiere and a major triumph of direction and design. It established the career of Michael Annals, who went on to work extensively at the National Theatre and on Broadway. |
Summary | An Inca mask, designed by Michael Annals for the premiere of Peter Shaffer's epic play, The Royal Hunt of the Sun, by National Theatre Company in 1964. The play tells the story of the Spanish conquest of Peru and the death of the god-king, Atahuallpa. Michael Annals devised a spectacular staging, based on the emblem of the sun, and dressed the Incas in dazzling masks and headdresses. 'We drowned the stage with gold and feathers', said Shaffer. It was a triumph of design which established the 26-year-old Annals as a major talent. This mask is a good example of the ingenuity of the theatrical costume maker. From a distance it appears to be made of beaten copper, but it is, in fact, constructed from fibreboard covered in painted leatherette and is decorated with metal upholstery studs. |
Bibliographic reference | Wengrow, Arnold, Observe and show: the theatre art of Michael Annals, London, V&A Publications, 2003
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Other number | CONS.10366-2003 - Theatre Museum Conservation Number |
Collection | |
Accession number | S.37-2003 |
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Record created | October 17, 2003 |
Record URL |
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