Costumes for Book Day

Twist and Shout

Twist and shout is the first in a trilogy of plays by Amanda Whittington. Set in 1963 just before the Beatles became famous, it tells the story of a young girl Shirley, who grows up in Mansfield, becomes pregnant and runs away to London.

The play recreates the night when the Beatles appeared in Mansfield and offers the opportunity to wear some cool sixties fashions.

The Beatles wore the distinctive round necked jackets and bob haircuts for the first time and the girls wore simple short shift dresses in pastel prints. Lipstick was pale and eyes black.

For superb 60’s style outfits suitable for this and similar productions, call 01908 372504 or visit our website.  www.admiralcostumes.co.uk

Admiral Costumes in Panto and On Ice

Oliver

Oliver remains a popular choice of musical for both stage and drama schools due to the number of young people required for the cast.

The well-known story by Charles Dickens, tells of the young Oliver Twist growing up as an orphan in the poorhouse. He is sold to an undertaker, but escapes to live rough on the streets of London pick pocketing and thieving. Oliver gets caught stealing from the wealthy Mr Brownlow and is taken in by him and his family.

We have a wonderful choice of costumes suitable for this show from Oliver’s collarless shirt, breeches and baker boy hat, the Artful Dodger’s worn tailcoat and top hat, Fagin’s coat and fingerless gloves, Nancy’s red dress and work clothing for Bill Sikes.

For more information on our costumes for this and other shows, visit our website  http://www.admiralcostumes.co.uk/?page_id=1114

Call us anytime on 01908 372504 to discuss costumes for your next show.

 

Costumes for Oliver

Auguste the joker clown

When it comes to costuming clowns, it may come as a surprise that there really are only four main types which are all quite distinctive in their own way.

The Auguste clown was developed in the 20^th century and is the fool or joker clown who is always tripping up and falling over. He has pink face make-up with white around the mouth and eyes which is outlined in black. Auguste wears oversized coats and trousers and often sports a pair of massive shoes.

Hobo clown is a happy go lucky fellow who is always looking for work, he typically wears some type of bowler hat and tramp type clothing. Hobo has a 5 0’clock shadow and slightly dirty face due to his extensive travel.

Harlequin clown originated in France and wears an outfit made from triangles of coloured fabric, with a ruff at the neck. Harlequin is very nimble and often performs acrobatic stunts.

The Pierrot clown wears distinctive black and white and is known for mime. Pierrot is a melancholy dreamer and hides his pain from his audience by only revealing a single teardrop underneath his eye.

At Admiral Costumes we have a good selection of clown costumes in various sizes available for hire at very reasonable rates. Clown outfits and accessories are also available for purchase from our on-line shop. For more information on our range of clown outfits, wigs and accessories, visit our website www.admiralcostumes.co,uk or give us a call on 01908 372504

 

Women in the 20th century

Driving home from a press conference for 9-5 the Musical in Milton Keynes, I reflected on a day where I had excitedly discovered a set of Women’s Voluntary Service overalls in the morning, to attending a preview of songs from the new hit show 9-5 The Musical, soon to be showing in Milton Keynes, in the afternoon.

Totally unrelated events you might think, but strangely linked by the sheer resilience and great versatility that women show time and again throughout the 20^th century.

The women’s voluntary service provided a vital service during the war years, organising the evacuation, collecting clothes for the needy and welcoming home the returned troops. They were unpaid and undervalued at the time with no uniform provided. They worked voluntarily helping others while their own loved ones were away and their own families in danger.

By contrast and several decades later in 9-5, three strong women learn how to survive in the workplace. Undervalued and underpaid, they stand up for what they believe in by kidnapping their chauvinistic boss.

9-5 gives an entertaining glimpse of office life in the 70’s and reveals how much attitudes have changed in the workplace. Young women today owe a huge amount to our forebears who paved the way in putting equal opportunities on the political agenda.

9-5 The Musical will be at Milton Keynes Theatre from 3^rd – 9^th March – don’t miss it.

For authentic 1970’s or 1940’s costumes, please visit our website www.admiralcostumes.co.uk

 

1940’s costumes for events

The 1940’s and wartime themes remain a popular choice for re-enactment days and events throughout the UK at a wide variety of historical venues and places of interest.  

The queen’s jubilee last year has revived interest in this fascinating period in our history and many people enjoy dressing in period clothing from the era to participate in these popular events.

This year annual events are already planned at Twinwood, Goodwood and at the Yorkshire Railway in Goathland. Locally we have a 40’s day at the Milton Keynes Museum, Bletchley Park and Olney.

At Admiral Costumes we have a really good selection of 1940’s fashion outfits for men, ladies and children, from day wear to more glamorous items. If you prefer a military look, then we have RAF, Army and naval uniforms, some German soldiers and Nazi overcoats.

Other alternatives are land army girl costumes, tea ladies and Women’s Voluntary Service overalls.

For more information on our 1940’s costumes for hire, please visit our website www.admiralcostumes.co.uk or give us a call on 01908 372504.