Romeo & Juliet Update.. (see previous post 26th Nov)

OK, so quite some time has past since I posted about my involvement on the Romeo & Juliet project.. A lot has happened in that time and plans had changed, including the amount of input and involvement that was required by the group. It has now all come to an end and the production is currently being shown at the New Players Theatre in London, but because of my lack of updates I will backtrack on the details and tell you more about my part in the project...

So from where I left off in the last post, I had met the other girls involved - 2 recent graduates from the BA Costume Design course here at the Institute, a full time mum who has had previous experience making costumes for local productions, and a 6th form student who is going to be enrolling on the Foundation Art & Design course next year (same as what I did last year). So it was nice that we all had local connections of some sort.

2nd Group Meeting

Our task mentioned in the previous post was to come up with our individual design ideas ready to put forward to the group. I had spent quite a bit of time researching and reading up about Renaissance dress from books in the library, as well as watching the Zeferelli film, so this gave me lots of ideas to use in m designs. In this meeting we also met another member of the group, Michalis, who was to be like our team leader as it were! He was mainly going to be involved in the set design but the director, Julia, wanted him to be involved with the costumes as well.

We then then found out that we needed to incorporate more rap and hip hop style references into the costumes, as is reflected in the music and dance, and not just focus on Renaissance styles. We had to try and find a way of incorporating the two into one look that worked - this was really hard to achieve! I began looking at some hip hop references and imagery to help inspire me but I found it rather difficult to mix both styles into one design as I thought it just didnt look right. However I gave it a go and this is some of what I came up with..

3rd Group Meeting
After presenting all our ideas to the group, (some of mine are shown above) we decided that it was quite difficult to put ideas down on paper, so instead we were given the task of hunting through the charity shops in search of items of clothing that we could alter, in order to make them look rap/renaissance. I found a few items - a pair of shorts, pair of tracksuit bottoms, a large t shirt and two sleeveless t shirts. I thought it would be better to use the largest sizes I could find as then I'd be able to create volume within the clothing by gathering certain areas, in order to create a renaissance look.

My renaissance garments made from sportswear

4th Group Meeting
Julia had decided that they wanted Michalis to work more directly on the costumes and to take over the designing. This was understandable as perhaps she wanted someone to be more in charge and who was able to dedicate more time to the costumes. However, it was disappointing and rather annoying as I had put quite a lot of time into the project by now through research and design ideas, time which for me could have been more importantly spent on doing my coursework for uni. The rest of the group were also disheartened as they too put a lot of effort into it, only to find that it was all a bit of a waste. Anyway, on this day we presented what we had found and made from the charity shop finds. It was quite fun as I was able to see what everyone else had put together and we also did some cutting and pinning whilst we were there, playing with fabrics and garments. Michalis showed us some of his ideas of taking sports graments and tracksuits and making them look renaissance. It was very clever and interesting and gave us a clearer idea of what it was he was trying to achieve with the costumes. But still, our roles now were simply to help out with the making of the costumes. We now just had to wait to be told the list of items he wanted us to make and wait for the fabrics and designs to be dropped off to us in Bournemouth from London.

Michalis's creations

Playing with fabrics and draping

Times Passes..

After parting for the Christmas period, eventually in the new year we recieve an email of the shortlist of what we were asked to make.. 2 kilts, 5 pairs of harem style pants and 9 pairs of knee pads. This wasn't going to be too difficult to achieve as there was 5 of us so we were quite happy in this respect. However, it took them a number of days after from when they said the fabrics would be delivered to arrive in Bournemouth ready for us to start working. This was quite frustrating for us as it meant our time allowance was getting shorter and had less time to complete the garments. When the fabrics did arrive there was very little instruction and the designs were very vague which also made it more difficult for us. I am glad I was working with the others in a group as I dont know what I would have done if we weren't able to discuss and share our confusion with the rest of the group! With Michalis and Julia and the rest of the co-ordinators up in London working on rehearsals and the other costumes being made in London, it was difficult to get in contact with them to ask questions. We could also tell that they were very stressed! As a group we managed to complete all the garments on time. The garments I helped with included the sewing of one of the kilts and a number of the knee pads. I was pleased with what I had produced as they all turned out nice and neat and fairly well made, considering the restrictions!

Delevering the Goods

After failing attempts to drop off the costumes to Julia in Bournemouth as planned, it had resorted to needing to deliver them to the theatre in London. It was at very short notice they had asked us to do this which meant I had to rearrange my plans but I did want to go up there and see the set and take photos etc, so I was happy to drive up as they were offering to pay our transport. After a long drive in the dark it was worth it in the end as it was great to be amongst it all, and we were able to help out more directly on the costumes while we were there. Michalis was really pleased with what we had produced which was really satisfying, knowing that we had helped out and did a good job of what they asked. I loved watching the rehearsals also as we got to see some great dancing and got a greater feel for the shows atmosphere. I think I gained the most from this experience of being there amongst all the other people involved on the project, like the other costumes makers, set production and the cast and directors. It was a really fun and friendly atmosphere and I wish I was able to have spent more time up in London working with the production, but of course the distance and commitments meant this was not possible. However I have learnt from the whole process to be more expectant of pushed deadlines and being asked to go that little bit extra! Below are some pictures taken when we got to the theatre, down in the dressing room where the rest of the costumes were being made..

These pictures are of some of the costumes being worn and fitted to the cast members.. complete costume for Lord Montague made by Michalis and co

Harem style pants made by the Bournemouth team

Harem style pants and a top made by Michalis and co

Rehearsals and dancing