Here we are; one owner of Admiral Costumes - costumier and supplier of theatrical costumes and Fancy Dress to schools and theatres throughout the UK; and my daughter Lisa Bridge, West End Performer who until last week was in Only Fools and Horses the musical.
With Only Fools and Horses theatre darkened until further notice and all shows cancelled throughout the UK, we have a west end performer and a costumier in total lockdown.
In the space of a week we suddenly find ourselves with no work, no phone calls, no plans, no shows, no costume making, no rehearsals, no income and no life.
The diary gets wiped - it is a total shock.
But hey, aren't we so lucky? We have each other and a shed load of costumes.
This is what happens when you leave two creatives locked up together with time on their hands ......
A series of 'Isolation Musicals'
Enjoy!
Day 1 - Grease
As theatres go dark and productions are cancelled up and down the UK, it is vital that performers and theatre associated companies explore every avenue to keep their customers and audience members entertained during the lock down.
Never has entertainment been so necessary and it will be the creative amongst us who devise ingenious ways of amusing ourselves and the public.
The industry has been turned on its head - instead of punters going to the entertainment, the entertainment has to go to the punter. This is not easy but it is amazing what can be achieved through social media, youtube and blogging.
As the proprietor of Admiral Costumes I have been unbelievably lucky to be in isolation with my daughter, west end performer, Lisa Bridge, in total lockdown with a huge store of costumes.
we have been amusing ourselves with a series of 'Isolation Musicals' filmed around the house using everyday items from the home.
So far we have made two minute clips from The Sound of Music, West Side Story, The Waitress and Grease with a request for Sweeny Todd.
We hope this will entertain our customers and business partners, whilst showcasing our range of superb costumes.
Putting a smile on peoples faces during this unprecedented time.
More videos and pictures can be seen on our facebook page @AdmiralcostumesMK and website www.admiralcostumes.co.uk
The DrowsyChaperone is a show within a show with upbeat jazz numbers set in 1928.
The show opens
with the ‘Man in the chair’ playing his favourite album and commenting on the
musical as it progresses and is acted out for real on the stage in his living
room.
So clever with
catchy tunes and a wonderful variety of costumes, the Drowsy Chaperone is a fun
and raucous production with over the top characters and witty dialogue.
Main character
in the show is Janet Van de Graaf who gives up her showbiz career to marry
Robert. Her number ‘Show Off’ has an incredible four quick changes which
requires a lot of planning and practice.
Starting off
in a beach kimono and wrap, she steps out of this with a clever turn to reveal
a 20s short dress with petal detail, the petal belt is removed and she dances
around for a while in the dress. A large
umbrella conceals her as she magically changes into a colourful 20s dress and
then a quick stop off stage to change into a swimsuit. After that a fringed
robe is added and the song ends.
Then, the reprise – she reappears for a final
long note with a fur wrap. Phew!
Other
characters include the sultry Drowsy Chaperone, Aldolpho a magician like
character, Trix the aviator and the rather old fashioned Mrs Tottendale.
With monkeys,
colourful Asian costumes and spangly aviator number and four weddings, this
show has it all.
For more
information on our range of costumes for this show do give us a call on
01908
372504 or check out our website www.admiralcostumes.co.uk
Everyone loves The Mikado, probably the most popular of Gilbert and Sullivan's operettas. With lovely bright costumes and set, witty lyrics and catchy tunes, The Mikado is fun for all involved.
Larger casts can easily add extra chorus in brightly coloured kimonos and Chinese style hats.
We so enjoyed costuming a set of wonderful Chinese style costumes for Buckingham Choral's production.
The three little maids looked wonderful in long floral kimonos with large padded sash and geisha style wigs.
The formidable High executioner wore black robes and wielded a large axe, Nanky Poo wore a poor wrap around tunic and the emperor looked majestic in some rich robes with gold accessories.
All of these costumes are available for hire at reasonable rates and we also have costumes for The Gondoliers, Iolanthe, Princess Ida and the Pirates of Penzance.
Call us now at Admiral Costumes on 01908 372504 to book the costumes that you need.
Here are some lovely images from Buckingham Choral
Thoroughly
enjoyed A Tomb With A View, a macabre comedy thriller by Norman Robbins.
https://www.samuelfrench.co.uk/a/4643/norman-robbins/
LeightonBuzzard Drama Group did a fabulous job of making all the odd and rather scary characters
come to life and revealed the bizarre story of their demise.
Admiral
costumes are delighted to have provided costumes for this play which is set in
the 1930s in the ancestral home of the Tomb family.
The scene is
set in the library of Monument House where Penworthy, the family solicitor,
reads out the will of the late Mr Tomb.
Penworthy dresses very grandly in a smart tailcoat, morning trousers, waistcoat
and spats.
Lucien Tomb
the eldest rather bombastic sibling and inheritor, is dressed eccentrically in
tweed breeches, jacket and wool mustard waistcoat.
Emily tomb is
quite masculine and adopts a loud suit and garish brightly checked waistcoat.
Dora, another
of the nutty sisters flambuoyantly dresses in floaty 1930s wear with lots of
jewels and feathers,
Monica Tomb,
the younger flirty sister, dresses more provocatively in a black and gold 30s
beaded evening dress and polka dot day dress, setting her sights on the
unsuspecting Peregrine Potter.
Other
characters in this charming play include a nurse and a housekeeper.
We love
costuming period plays like this and have a wonderful selection of 30s wear to
choose from including sports wear, underwear, coats and hats to make your
production have that authentic feel.
For
information on our period costumes for drama, please contact us at Admiral
Costumes on 01908 372504
At 3.00 pm
every day of the Goodwood Revival festival, a selection of the best dressed of
the day are paraded and a winner selected by the panel.
Outfits need
to be unique and authentic looking with an emphasis on style and at AdmiralCostumes we have a fine selection of clothing from the 40s and 50s suitable for
this event.
Many visitors
attending the revival and the festival of speed, dress in styles of the day
ranging from the 1940’s through to the 70’s. Most popular outfits are from the
1940’s and 50’s with vintage and classic car owners dressing in clothing to
suit their vehicle.
The Goodwood
nine hours race and the revival is the only race meeting in the world staged entirely in the
nostalgic time capsule of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.
Admiral Costumes have a fantastic
selection of unique vintage and retro clothing suitable for wearing to the
Goodwood Revival. Choose from military uniform or civilian wear in a choice of
style to suit you.
Our regular customers like
to select and book their outfits well in advance to get first pick of the
outfits on offer, hoping for a chance to get into the best dressed category at
the show.
For more information visit
our website or give us a call on 01908
372504
Here at
Admiral Costumes we hold a massive stock of costumes for schools ready and
waiting for your next school production.
For many
children, the school play has become the highlight of the school calendar, with
music, dancing and dressing up in a fun and lively atmosphere.
In this
digital age, drama creates a wonderful opportunity to socialise and interact
with friends outside of the classroom. Students can hone their singing and
dancing skills, practice stage management and gain confidence in many
transferable skills that are required for later in life.
School
productions have become extremely professional with the inclusion of theatre
skills, front of house, back-stage work, props and of course the digital sound
and lighting techniques that are used in theatre today.
Most musicals
and plays are set in a past time and this gives the students an opportunity to
not only learn about the clothing that was worn during that period, but a
chance to wear it as well.
Admiral
Costumes can supply you with period and theatrical costumes for any era or
genre in large quantities for your school production or drama group with a
large cast.
Popular shows
that we constantly supply our customers with are; The Sound of Music, Guys and
Dolls, Daisy Pulls it Off, Annie, Les Miserables, Oliver and many more. In line with the curriculum we also supply
Accrington Pals, oh What Lovely War and
Journey’s End which are set in WW1, The Crucible and WW2 costumes for forties
events.
More pictures of our costumes 4 schools can be seen here;
https://www.admiralcostumes.co.uk/costume-hire/childrens/costumes-for-schools/
https://www.admiralcostumes.co.uk/costume-hire/childrens/costumes-for-schools/
If you have a
show coming up and need some costumes, then do give us a call on 01908
372504. We can work to all budgets and
can send you a costume list to get you started.
E-mail us for
friendly advice on your costume requirements on admiralcostumes@btconnect.com we love to help.
