A Visit to the National Theatre Hire Department

Image from a van outside the National Theatre
Hire Department

                                              Image from inside the National Theatre Hire Department
              

March 10th was a very exciting day visiting the National Theatre Hire Department to see where our garments would be residing after this project. It is a large facility separate from the actual National Theatre building but full of costumes from its previous productions. It has a variety of costumes in order from the Greeks and Romans all the way to modern day. It is logically and conveniently put in order of time with the men and women's garments on separate rails but in the same row. All of the costumes in the Hire Department are rented out for productions, fancy dress, films, ect. It is exciting to think that the garments we are making could be worn in a film or production somewhere in London or else-where. It is a good resource for anyone looking to rent a costume but it was also educational to look around from a makers perspective. I haven't encountered many Medieval or Greek costumes and to see how they were made and what fabric was used was helpful in understanding that period better.  

Breeches found in the National Theatre Hire Department

I found these breeches in rails of the Hire Department. They are very similar to the breeches I am making in class although the pockets and knee-bands differ. Although we have been given an example of the breeches already from the National it was helpful to see a variation. I couldn't find an exact copy of the breeches I am making which I take as a good sign, variety in a hire department is always good thing!

 Waistcoat front and back from the National Theatre Hire Department

This waistcoat is a great example of a waistcoat similar to the one we are making. I shape is very similar as well as the collar and pocket shapes. Also the jigger (or placket at back) is a unique detail that is also on my waistcoat. The main difference here being the fabric and ornamentation. The fabric I am using is a cotton blend and a very simple shade where as this one is decorated using trims and ornate fabric. On the tag inside it says it was used in a production of Romeo and Juliet. 

Me wearing a dress from The National Theatre Hire Department

As well as investigated the costumes and layout of the the Hire Department we also tried a few costumes on. Not only was it an amazing opportunity to try on lovely costumes it was a chance to explore how costumes fit and felt on a body. As we progressed from the Greeks to modern day it was clear that the underwear was an essential part to making the costume look correct. Some of the shape was made by boning in the bodices and some needed to be worn with corsets or hoop skirts (like the image above). Although we didn't know what productions each item was made for we were able to see how costumers might deal with the different needs of a show or an actor. Perhaps the boning was placed in the bodice because there was a lot of movement in the show and a corset would be too restricting. Or the actress was singing and couldn't breath properly in a full corset but the shape needed to remain true to the era. There are many advantages to looking through a hire department as a costume maker since (like my experience) it can give insight into construction, materials, and historical/theatrical designs.