EXHIBITION
Having been shown the stunning catalogue from “ Starstruck in the Cathedral” I was eager to see the Exhibition and a friend, similarly enthusiastic, joined me for the day.
Advertised as an unmissable family event, it was an innovative exhibition, the first of its kind in the country, displaying costumes from stage and screen.
In all there were 90 costumes, divided into seven sections, and the Nave of Worcester Cathedral was a perfect place for them.
With music playing in the background, all of which was relevant to the costumes on display, we heard 28 pieces, from the ‘Wedding March’ of a Midsummer Nights Dream’ to the Overture from The Phantom of the Opera and ‘Hoist the Main brace’ from Pirates of the Caribbean to ‘Patients’ from Sense and Sensibility, it was all in keeping with the occasion.
The first section was weddings and beginning the display was the Bride of Frankenstein, the most elaborate by far. Rather more ball gown than wedding dress, but to see so close the minute detail in stitching, embroidery and additions of ribbons and lace, it was amazing to realise right at the beginning, all of the costumes were hand-stitched to create the correct image when the period had no access to machines.
No zips, fastenings were minute hooks and eyes or press-studs.
More traditional gowns were for Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park and Cranford, but one made for Meryl Streep in The House of Spirits, elegant in the extreme, had a train making almost a complete circle behind it and yards long.
The Tea Party was next and Gosford Park was depicted by a formal tea-gown for Maggie Smith circa 1932, and very much the ‘upstairs’ costume of the era, followed by a gown of intricate layers from Finding Neverland, and finally a crimson creation well covered with pearls and crystals from the Secret Garden.
Next came The Royals, and Helen Mirren and Cate Blanchett had worn the first four for their individual representations of Elizabeth 1.
The materials and designs were stunning and we wondered how on earth the actresses were able to move, never mind remembering lines and acting, the costumes of that period were so large and cumbersome sitting down must have been a near impossibility.
We had the first actors in this section, with Shakespeare in Love (Joseph Fiennes) and Elizabeth the Golden Age (Christopher Ecclestone) looking very underdressed beside the magnificent costume for Charles 11.
The section ended with the black outfit worn by Helen Mirren as The Queen at the funeral of Diana, complete with beautiful brooch, but looking very ‘utility’ in its making.
The largest section was The Red Carpet and took the long centre of the Nave, so that front and back of each costume had equal vision, and all 27 were a delight.
I do have to admit Janet and I did not know some of the films or film stars portrayed.
Most were period costumes, and as we were able to see very close to, back and front, it was wonderful to see and appreciate the enormous work that goes into the costume making. Reading the Catalogue from cover to cover you learn how much time is taken to research every detail of date, style and material, and the ‘ageing’ of them if they have to appear well-worn.
Janet’s favourite was Renee Zellwegger’s gown from Miss Potter, an absolute delight in ruffles, gathers and pleats, mine was Uma Thurman’s from The Golden Bowl, heavy lace and silk, apparently inspired by Sargent portraits of the time.
The catalogue records that due to the tiny waists of some stars the wooden mannequins had to be carved down to fit the dresses.
At this point we were half way through and opted for a lunch break in the Cathedral Coffee Shop, which was very pleasant - and welcome.
The exit from the Coffee Shop was to the outside and entrance had to be made again through the main door to the Exhibition, but this gave us the opportunity to see something of the Cathedral and the beautiful windows
Back to the Red Carpet for a final look and noting the few actors amongst the lovely gowns. There were only six, the most flamboyant being Casanova (Heath Ledger) and the best known Daniel Craig from Defiance.
On to the Shakespeare section and a piece of British Theatre History.
All were costumes from the Royal Shakespeare Company - and were amazing.
The oldest was for Richard Burton as Henry V from 1951, closely followed by Vivienne Leigh and Laurence Olivier in Macbeth, 1955.
This section had the most extraordinary costumes imaginable. The same play under a different Director gave a quite distinctive representation.
For instance The Scottish Play had several ‘alternate’ productions, with completely diverse costumes. Fascinating. The most unusual was a cape made for Glenda Jackson in Anthony and Cleopatra (1978)
The Robin Hood section featured six costumes from the recent television series, and the most remarkable thing about them was the deliberate ‘ageing’ of the leather and fabrics, reproducing endless wear without attention or cleaning.
And finally - Action Heroes. Pirates of the Caribbean costumes for Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp even had the belts and buttons ‘worn’ to look correct, and a magnificent embroidered Dragon on a dressing gown made for Ben Kingsley in Thunderbirds
A big ‘thank you’ to Worcester Cathedral for hosting the Exhibition, and to the Curator and her team for a wonderful experience.
Celebration
Briefly - after so much about Worcester - I was invited to join the Coleshill and District Brownies and Guides at Kingsbury Water Park as they began the national launch for the centenary of Girlguiding, which will have many events during the next twelve months until the significant date next October 20 – 10 – 2010 when there will be a final celebration.
Recreation
A small team of novice croquet players took part in a fundraising match at Berkswell recently. Alan Craske, who for many years has demonstrated his croquet skill at Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens Open Days, was enthusiastic enough to supervise some (very necessary) practise on his lawn beforehand. We were delighted that two couples, including Alan, won their first game, but then were unsuccessful in the second. However, we were playing Association Rules, and not everyone was!!
The Library Theatre Autumn programme is underway and several dates are in the diary starting with ‘A Timeless Collection‘ of music from the 50’s to 80’s and including the forthcoming ‘Festival 09’ with some great shows.
More next time about those.
Obligation
Have you applied yet for your ‘A’ level in Re-cycling ? Looking at the list of do’s and don’ts we shall need at least one of those.
More about that later too!!
I’ll keep in touch…………….
Beryl Kellie
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