Dress Parade

Today was the dress parade for The Soldier's Tale. A dress parade is something that, I feel, is particular to a live show. It is where the makers, actors, make-up team, designer, director, supervisor, tutors and crew get together to bring the costumes together. It was extremely rewarding to have all four makers there and to see all the actors dressed in full make-up all at the same time. On all the other project I've worked on here there is a second fitting and then the costumes are put on forms for hand in and then worn in the performance. This was a great time to see everything come together, everyone's work to be seen, and for sneak peek into what the final show (or at least the costumes) will look like. This was also an opportunity for there to be any last minute changes or alterations.

The Soldier:
First to be dressed was Josh who plays the Soldier.

Back View

Front View

Wrapping the Puttees

Soldier with Jacket On

Soldier Without Jacket, but Hat On

Close up of Puttees

Evaluation: This was the first time I have seen the costume all put together and being worn by the actor it was made for. I am extremely proud of what I have made. I was apprehensive at the start of this project but I am happy to see it come together. Josh seemed very comfortable when he put his costume on and as the parade continued he did some movements and danced a little and he said it was comfortable for that. I was happy with the proportion of the trousers to the shirt and how the puttees created a little volume around the knee. For the puttees Josh was given long socks to wear. Initially when he got dressed they tucked the bottom of the trousers into the socks and then we tried wrapping the puttees around that. However that seemed to make the putties look bulky and not tightly wrapped (see Close up of puttee, left leg is the one that is tucked into the sock, the other is with the sock underneath.) The better solution was to put the sock under the trousers and wrap the putties around the trouser leg. I think it was a good thing to try it both ways, especially with the designer and supervisors there. If this was a travelling show, as a maker I would want to work with the supervisor before sending the costume off to figure out things like this. I do wish his shoes had come so I could see how the puttees worked with the shoes, but I am going to try and go to the tech rehearsals to see how the costume works during the performance. I think one of the things I was most surprised about was how much the shirt and it's alterations changed the look of the whole costume. I think it really pulls it together and completes Rose's design. The smaller collar no longer swallows his neck and still looks like the casual simple shirt I was aiming to create. The washing and breaking down I did makes it look soft and lived in. Re-working the shirt was a good experience that taught me to constantly reference the design, pay close attention to proportion, and never to be intimidated by big changes. I am going to wash the shirt again before I turn it in just to break it down a little bit more, but as Josh wears it for rehearsals and performances and it is then washed again and again I think it will continue to look lived in. I am also very pleased with my trousers. I think they fulfill the historical and character aspect of the design. Rose was particularly happy with the trousers and how they looked. The director and my tutors did suggest breaking it down more. Using the iron to really press it and wear the fabric down as well as maybe adding more dye. Seeing it under the stage lights some of the breaking down and dye doesn't really show and I agree that it could use some more distressing. The coat and hat were sourced from the National Theatre Hire House and really complete the look of a soldier and are a good match to the fabric used on the trousers. There are just minor changes with the Soldier's costume. The director and designer are pleased with how it all looks and so am I.

The Narrator: 
I also had my waistcoat to show in this parade and it is worn by John.

Waistcoat Front

Waistcoat Back

Waistcoat with Hat and Jacket

Evaluation: Just like the Soldier's costume I am extremely proud of how the waistcoat looks and fits. The lengthening of the straps in the back really make it fit well without pulling too much. And with the buttons on the stripes match up perfectly on the front. I found tailoring this waistcoat to be very challenging for many different reasons like the checked pattern and weight of the fabric. Overcoming these challenges makes the finished product even more rewarding. I wouldn't say I learned many new processes making this waistcoat but I have certainly improved my specialist skills. If asked in an interview or on the job if I could tailor a waistcoat I can say with confidence that I have after completing my second checked waistcoat for this project. My only adjustment is to just give it a very good press and it will be ready for the show!