Theatre Costume
1997 (made)
| Artist/Maker |
This costume was worn in the musical Chicago in the London revival of 1997. Although it is known as The Spirit of Fire, there is no indication of any such part on the programme and this may be a term used by the production team to describe a particular routine.
The costume could almost be called a 'Bob Fosse' uniform. Fosse, the legendary choreographer and musical show producer, co-wrote Chicago and died on the opening night of the New York 1987 revival. Over the years, first as a dancer and then as choreographer on dozens of shows, he devised a very characteristic style and costume for himself and then his dancers - based on a shirt, waistcoat and trousers with the trademark bowler hat.
The costume could almost be called a 'Bob Fosse' uniform. Fosse, the legendary choreographer and musical show producer, co-wrote Chicago and died on the opening night of the New York 1987 revival. Over the years, first as a dancer and then as choreographer on dozens of shows, he devised a very characteristic style and costume for himself and then his dancers - based on a shirt, waistcoat and trousers with the trademark bowler hat.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 5 parts. (Some alternative part names are also shown below)
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| Brief description | Costume designed by William Ivey Long for the Spirit of Fosse in Kander and Ebb's musical Chicago, London 1997, worn by Daniel Crossley. One-piece dance suit with t-shirt and bowler hat. |
| Gallery label | Re:Imagining Musicals, 15 October 2022 - 4 February 2024
Bowler hat for the Spirit of Fosse in Chicago
1997
This hat was worn by Daniel Crossley in the London revival of the musical Chicago, written by John Kander, Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, which premiered in 1975. Based on the 1926 play by Maurine Dallas Watkins about her experiences as a crime reporter, the musical is a satire on corruption and notoriety. The bowler hat has become synonymous with both Fosse’s choreography and the show.
Designed by William Ivey Long
Satin, felt
Museum no. S.103:3-2004
Given by Billy Chicago Ltd(2022) |
| Credit line | Given by Billy Chicago Ltd |
| Object history | Costume designed by William Ivey Long for the Spirit of Fosse in Kander and Ebb's musical Chicago in the 1997 London revival, worn by Daniel Crossley. |
| Summary | This costume was worn in the musical Chicago in the London revival of 1997. Although it is known as The Spirit of Fire, there is no indication of any such part on the programme and this may be a term used by the production team to describe a particular routine. The costume could almost be called a 'Bob Fosse' uniform. Fosse, the legendary choreographer and musical show producer, co-wrote Chicago and died on the opening night of the New York 1987 revival. Over the years, first as a dancer and then as choreographer on dozens of shows, he devised a very characteristic style and costume for himself and then his dancers - based on a shirt, waistcoat and trousers with the trademark bowler hat. |
| Associated object | |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.103:1 to 5-2004 |
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| Record created | June 2, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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