Murder Mystery – random items and vital clues

Everyone loves a murder mystery party and we know you just love getting together with a few friends over themed drinks and a meal to solve and play the murder mystery game.

A murder mystery party offers some light hearted entertainment and dressing up in character is all part of the fun.  It can be tricky sometimes to acquire the necessary clothing garments which are often quite specific and may form part of a vital clue in the game.

Whatever character you are given, whether you are the murderer, a writer or gardener we will most likely have a costume or accessories to suit. The game could be set in any era and usually involves a set of eccentric characters that will require suitably colourful attire.

From a silver tie pin, to silk handkerchiefs, coloured trilby’s to tweed suits and old gardener’s hats, we have all kinds of wonderful props and accessories to put you in character straight away.

If you’ve been invited to a murder mystery party this season, don’t panic, just give us a call, I am sure we can help.

www.admiralcostumes.co.uk

01908 372504

Admiral Costumes – an outfit for every occasion

It is surprising how versatile our costume range is and absolutely amazing where our costumes end up and what they are used for.

2012 has seen our costumes sent to various shows, individuals and schools all around the country. Our Admiral Hornhonker costumes for example, have been to Brighton, Wiltshire and Glasgow several times and back again.

We have supplied costumes for a vintage fashion show, an Edwardian dressage competition, a palette and brushes for a floral art competition, a hat for the Woburn garden competition, a bell for the Open University’s production of Macbeth and hats for a Mad Hatters tea party.

We love helping customers choose outfits for the Goodwood Revival whether military or 40’s and 50’s glamour. Our 1940’s range of period clothing is excellent for the WW2 revival days in Stoke Bruerne, the Yorkshire Railway Company ands other blitz nights and tea dance events around the country.

Our 1970’s photoshoot not only provided us with some fabulous promotional  pictures for our website, but appeared in Vintage Life Magazine in August and in Modern Vintage Magazine, together with an article on a vintage 1960’s dress.

It was fun to see the queen and Duke of Edinburgh, Beefeaters and other costumes out for local carnivals, fetes and events for the Jubilee celebrations and we were so excited to discover that several pairs of our lederhosen went up to the Olympic games for a German hockey match.

 Some of our costumes have been used for the West End Eurovision and other professional shows in London including Hellsing at Bloomsbury and Freedom, Books Flowers and the Moon at Liverpool East Theatre.

Our usherette outfits ended up at The Dorchester, Santa has been out and about all around Bletchley and Daisy our pantomime cow has treaded the boards in Aylesbury and visited Milton Keynes. Our fabulous Victorian and Dickens outfits have been seen in Olney and Milton Keynes Museum with a batch heading off to St Ives for the New Year.

Our costumes are used by adults and children for birthday parties, dance shows, themed parties, barber shop events and murder mystery evenings. We have enjoyed costuming many local shows including: The Sound of Music, Oklahoma, Babes in the Wood, Guys and Dolls, Cabaret, And Then There Were None and The Birthday Party. Most recently our costumes were flying around the ice at the Oxford Christmas Ice show.

If you need a costume for any event, do give us a call on 01908 372504, I’m sure we will have what you are looking for and we would love to help you with a fabulous outfit.

For more information on our shows and costumes, visit www.admiralcostumes.co.uk

 

Nativity Nightmare?

It’s end of term and time for those unexpected plays, assemblies, concerts and school productions. They happen every year, but somehow the preparations seem to have passed you by and your child suddenly requires a costume very quickly!

All too often mums call us in a panic with a last minute costume crisis. The outfit they ordered on the internet is the wrong size, poor quality or just hasn’t arrived yet. For more specific requests like squirrels or sheep, costumes just aren’t available.

We have an excellent selection of costumes for all types of plays, nativity and concerts and have a massive stock of costumes that can be adapted at short notice if required.

We also offer bespoke children’s costumes and dress making at very reasonable rates.

If you’re stuck for a nativity costume, give us a call on 01908 372504

Batman returns – to Admiral Costumes

Batman has always been a popular choice for fancy dress parties and with the new film ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ soon to be released, the character is as popular as ever.

Batman first appeared in Detective comics and is an instantly recognisable iconic character ideal for a fun fancy dress theme.

Batman has also been known as The Caped crusader, The Dark Knight and The World’s Greatest Detective.

In the comics and the first film, Batman was accompanied by his crime fighting partner, Robin but in later film versions, Catwoman, Penguin and The Joker are predominate characters.

To hire or purchase our excellent Batman, Robin or Catwoman costumes, call us on 01908 372504 or visit our website www.admiralcostumes.co.uk

9-5 The Musical at Oxford New Theatre

When 9-5 was scheduled to appear at the New Theatre Oxford, we grabbed the opportunity to be among some of the first to see the new UK tour and original cast including Bonnie Langford, Ben Rhodes, Jackie Clune, Natalie Casey and Amy Lennox, not to mention our own Lisa bridge who plays the part of Maria and is second cover for Roz and Judy.

From the very first loud note that literally makes you jump out of your seat, you are transported back to a 70’s office atmosphere.

With superb choreography and excellent choice of costumes, the show is a delight from beginning to end, full of amusing situations and funny one-liners from the witty script.

The energy levels are high throughout the show and the cameo role of Dolly Parton overlooking the whole thing was a great touch for Dolly Parton fans.

9-5 The Musical is one of those wonderful shows that you need to view several times to capture all the detail and I just can’t wait to see it again when the show comes to Milton Keynes Theatre in March.

http://www.9to5themusical.co.uk/

 

Victorian Christmas at Milton Keynes Museum

Each year, Milton Keynes Museum has a Victorian Christmas theme with carols in the parlour, crafts in the barn and a chance to meet Father Christmas and Queen Victoria.

The event runs for three consecutive weekends from 30^th November to the 16^th December 2012.

Admiral Costumes are delighted to have provided some Victorian style costumes for this event and look forward to dressing lots more customers in Dickensian style outfits over the festive season.

If you would like a Victorian outfit for your festive event, then give us a call on 01908 372504 or visit our website for details.

www.admiralcostumes.co.uk

http://www.mkmuseum.org.uk/node/319

 

 

Festive Fancy Dress shop joke: – I say, I say, I say

A man with a bald head and a wooden leg is invited to a Xmas fancy dress party.

He doesn't know what to wear to hide his head and his wooden leg, so he writes to a fancy dress company to explain his problem. 

A few days later he receives a parcel with a note:

Dear Sir,

Please find enclosed a Pirate's outfit. The spotted handkerchief will cover your bald head and with your wooden leg, you will be just right as a Pirate.

The  man is offended that the outfit emphasizes his disability, so he

writes a letter of complaint. A week passes and he receives another parcel and note:

Dear  Sir,

Sorry about the previous parcel. Please find enclosed a monk's habit. The long robe will cover your wooden leg and with your bald head you will really look the part.

The man is really incandescent with rage now, because the company

has gone from emphasizing his wooden leg to drawing attention to his bald head.  So he writes a really strong letter of complaint.

A few days later he gets a very small parcel from the company with the accompanying letter:

 

Dear Sir,

Please find enclosed a tin of Golden Syrup. We suggest you pour the tin of Golden Syrup over your bald head, let it harden, then stick your wooden leg up your **** and go as a toffee apple!

 

Fabulous!

 

 

A Dickens of a Christmas

Every year the Olney Town Council organises a fabulous Victorian Christmas Fair which is held in the high street of Olney on a Sunday before Christmas.

Traders dress in victorian clothing and offer Christmas treats and gifts for sale from the street market and high street shops.

To join in the fun, dressing in Dickensian costume is encouraged and Admiral Costumes are delighted to be providing some stall holders and organisers with some wonderful Victorian style attire for this event.

This year the Christmas market takes place on Sunday 9^th December between 10.00am and 4.00pm, so there is still time to book a wonderful costume.

We have tailcoats and top hats for the wealthy gents, tweed jackets and baker boy caps for the traders, elegant dresses for the ladies or poorer style dresses, capes and bonnets for the sellers.

Give us a call on 01908 372504, to discuss your requirements, or visit our store to browse our selection and choose an outfit.

www.admiralcostumes.co.uk

Everyone loves a Onesie party

Onesie parties area popular theme choice for parties this winter.

Warm, bright, fun and easy to wear, onesies make dressing up a cinch and your party go with a swing.

Fabulous all in one onsies can be purchased here http://www.admiralcostumes.co.uk/?wpsc_product_category=animal-male

If you prefer to hire a quality licensed onesie costume, then give us a call or visit our store. Tweety Pie, Sylvester, Taz, Batman and Robin are waiting for you.

Call now and book your onesie on 01908 372504

 

Enjoy a themed Christmas get-together

Christmas is a time when all your family and friends get together, so why not liven it up with a theme?

I had an enquiry this week for a family in Bedford, that every year choose a theme for their Christmas get-together.

One year it was cowboys and indians, then Alice in Wonderland and this year will be Captain Cook, with the head or host of the party playing the part of the Captain, with the guests as lost boys, Peter Pan, Wendy and Tinkerbell.

What a wonderful idea and a chance to wear something different for the day, with everyone being able to take part from the grandparents down to the smallest of the children.

We have a great selection of Fancy dress costumes in stock for hire over the Christmas period, simply reserve your outfit as soon as you can and collect before Christmas in preparation for the festivities and return it on Thursday 27^th or Friday 28^th December.

Call us on 01908 372504 or e-mail your enquiry to info@admiralcostumes.co.uk

 

Freedom, Books, Flowers and The Moon

Freedom, Books, Flowers and The Moon is a play by Sarah Pitard based on  and adapted from The Nightingale, the Rose and The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde.

The story shows how in Germany, during 1938, the gypsy population suffered greatly under the Nazi Regime

In the first act, Florica, a young Gypsy woman, is desperately in love with Besnik. However, he is in love with a German girl, Helen, who asks for one gift – the most beautiful rose in the world.

Despite the warnings from her brother, Thomas, Florica makes it her goal to find the perfect rose for her love, even if it means she must suffer the consequences.

The second act centres around an old German man, Mr Prin, confined to his wheelchair, and a young gypsy child, Isabella, who is dying from tuberculosis.  Together, the pair go on a mission to help as many people as possible from being taken to concentration camps.

 The show explores the true meaning of undying love.

Paradigm Theatre Company are currently staging a wonderful version of this show at Waterloo East Theatre in London.

http://www.waterlooeast.co.uk/freedom,%20books,%20flowers%20and%20the%20moon.html

Admiral Costumes are delighted to have provided some costumes for this beautiful story

 

New larger size play clothes for Sound of Music cast

Not all productions use child performers for the Von Trapp children’s roles and often schools, colleges and universities require adult sized costumes for the ‘children’.

A fabulous set of new larger sized play clothes have been added to our Sound of Music wardrobe with 6 skirts with elasticated waistbands that will fit up to 39”, together with matching headscarves. For the boys, there are 2 pairs of shorts with elasticated waistbands with matching neckerchiefs in the same fabric.

Made in authentic looking 1940’s floral curtain material, the skirts and shorts look great with frilly blouses or shirts for Freidrich and Kurt.

Larger sized Von Trapp children’s costumes enable schools colleges and youth theatres to stage this popular show without using younger performers.

Our traditional set of play clothes is also available for hire with sizes ranging from age 4 for Gretl, to size 10 for Leisel.

For more information on our Sound of Music wardrobe, visit our website http://www.admiralcostumes.co.uk/?page_id=905     or call 01908 372504

Baroque style wigs

A fantastic selection of ready styled, easy to wear wigs are now available from our website

http://www.admiralcostumes.co.uk/index.php?wpsc_product_category=wig-accessories&paged=19

If you are going to a masked ball or party over the festive season, why not add impact with a superb baroque style wig. Choose from a great selection of large curly styled wigs to give you the Marie Antoinette look.

Superb styles are available in blond, white, red, black or brown with or without ringlets at the sides, or why not go for a piled high look? there is a wonderful choice of wig to suit you. 

It is easy to buy on line and if you are not sure of the style you want, then give us a call on 01908 372504. Secure payment is made on-line and goods are normally despatched within 3 working days. If you prefer, you can save on shipping charges by arranging to collect your purchase from our store in Newton Longville.

We will always let you know if an item is out of stock and offer you an alternative, so that you do not get let down for your party.

If you prefer to place your order by telephone, then call us now on 01908 372504, we’re here to help.

The Gondoliers

The Gondoliers operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan is still as popular as ever and produced by local opera societies all over the UK.

The story begins in Piazetta in Venice when brothers, Mario and Guiseppe Palmieri decide to get married and choose brides wearing blindfolds.

Things get complicated when it transpires that one of the brothers is the son of the King of Baratania who was abducted at birth and has spent his life as a common gondolier.

Admiral Costumes are delighted to have provided a set of costumes to Julian Light Opera Society for their production of The Gondoliers in Ealing this month.

The first scene is set in shades of grey and we were able to put together a selection of 1930’s style clothing items and suits suitable to set the scene.

For more information on our vintage clothing for period plays and dramas, please visit our website www.admiralcostumes.co.uk or give us a call on 01908 372504

Moustaches for Movember

Facial hair can add style and personality to a face and if worn for several years, becomes an integral part of a person's identity.

There are an amazing variety of styles and types of moustache ranging from the smallest slimmest almost not there moustaches of Prince and Rhett Butler, through to the huge bushy moustaches of 1^st world war generals.

Charlie Chaplin had a small neat square moustache which is instantly recognisable and great for a fancy dress character. The square seems to denote humour as the style was revived by Basil Fawlty and a sloppy version by Renee in Allo Allo, two other strong comedy characters.

Hercule Poirot spends an awful lot of time grooming his cleverly sculpted facial adornment and owns an array of tools to keep the moustache in top shape. Salvador Dali also had an ornate moustache with sides that completely defied gravity.

Other famous men instantly recognisable for their moustaches are Freddy Mercury, Frank Zappa, Jimi Hendrix, Max Wall and Tom Selleck.

For those of you who cannot grow their own, or need a temporary version to participate in a Movember event, then visit our website and choose an adhesive moustache in any style or colour. The moustaches are easy to stick on, comfortable to wear and will simply peel off at the end of the day. http://www.admiralcostumes.co.uk/?wpsc_product_category=beard-accessories

Admiral Costumes are offering to donate 25p from every moustache purchased in November, either on line or from our store, to the Movember charity.

Movember is a charity with aims to support research and awareness of mens health, prostrate and testicular cancer.  http://uk.movember.com/

 

Admiral goes on-line in October

An exciting month at Admiral Costumes has seen our long awaited on-line facility for fancy dress costumes and accessories going live.

Customers are now able to choose from a selection of over 8000 fancy dress outfits, wigs, accessories and party ware and order securely on-line.

For personal service and quality fitting of authentic period costumes and vintage wear for plays, shows and historical re-enactments, then visit us at our store to browse our superb hire stock.

We were very excited to have had one of our stories, ‘My extraordinary life by a stylish black wool Susan Small dress’ published on page 44 of the October edition of Modern Vintage Magazine, together with some of the fabulous pictures from our 60’s photo-shoot. More stories and pictures will be posted on our page over the next few months.

There have been several murder mystery plays this month and we were delighted to provide some elegant 1930’s evening attire and specialist day wear for ‘Whodunnit’ by  Anthony  Shaffer and ‘And Then There Were None’ by Agatha Christie.

We would like to thank The Old Gaolers in Buckingham for organising a press conference in costume and providing us with some superb promotional photos for our website. An article on their show ‘Whodunnit’ appeared in The Buckinghamshire Advertiser last week.

We also enjoyed selecting costumes for ‘Allo  ‘Allo, which was great fun and we thoroughly enjoyed the performance and supper by Nemesis Players in Flitwick Village Hall.

Some outfits are hard to source and this month we have manufactured some bespoke waistcoats, 1950’s style cinema usherette uniforms for an event in London and a 50’s style dress and bolero for a dance competition together with a matching tie for the partner.

The month has ended on a spooky note with lots of Halloween activity in store with skeletons, Count Dracula and several zombies leaving the store, together with gel blood, fangs and scary masks.

In November we look forward to costuming Cabaret, The Sound of Music, The Gondoliers and Macbeth, together with lots of fun and festive costumes for Christmas and the panto season.

To Support Movember, we are offering to donate 25p for every moustache purchased during the month of November, either on-line or in store. So if you can't grow one yourself, order a temporary fix and support this worthy cause.
 http://www.admiralcostumes.co.uk/?wpsc_product_category=beard-accessories

If you would like a copy of our latest newsletter, then please e-mail us info@admiralcostumes.co.uk

 www.admiralcostumes.co.uk

 

Wild about Waistcoats

Scary waistcoats,
Hairy waistcoats,
Sober, silk and leary waistcoats

We have rustic and charming,

Bright and alarming.
A waistcoat for everyone,
Whether partying or farming

For Fagin or dodger,

Country gent or lodger.
We have gold ones for kings
Harris Tweed for old codgers.

There are waistcoats with collars

Waistcoats without
Scruffy old waistcoats, that need throwing out.
Burgundy brown,
Star spangled for clown,
Brilliant waistcoats with oodles of clout.

So, need a waistcoat in a hurry?

No need to worry
Just get on the phone and give us a shout.

Admiral Costumes  01908 372504

http://www.admiralcostumes.co.uk/?page_id=752