COSTUME TALKS
&
DEMONSTRATIONS
“Even when it conceals the body, clothing is revealing.”
In Fine Style: The Art of Tudor and Stuart Fashion, by Anna Reynolds
When we look at the past, we often see costume and forget that these were simply the clothes of the day. What people wore reflected their identity, social standing and, of course, their personal taste, just like clothes today.
Though we might find the fashions of centuries past peculiar, there's little doubt that some of our own choices would shock, or at least raise a few eyebrows among those looking backwards or forwards through time.
At About Time, we love nothing more than opening the wardrobe and allowing the clothing to tell its story… in style.
British silk gown, c. 1760
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
From the dyes and fabrics used to create a garment to the methods of construction, intricate detailing and etiquette of the day. We explore not only how clothing was made and worn, but also the rules that governed it, the social expectations it reflected and the sometimes extraordinary lengths people went to in order to look the part.
We bring these details to life through practical demonstrations, exploring both the craftsmanship of historical dress and the physical experience of wearing it.
So, if you have ever wondered- how accurately does the clothing we see on stage and screen represent what people actually wore? We have the answer, and have the expertise to explain why.
CLOTHING THE CHARACTER
We examine clothing to reveal where historical accuracy meets the demands of performance and how each time period has its own unique visual story to tell.
After all, theatrical costume must often achieve something quite different from the clothing that inspired it. Understanding those differences can be just as useful as discovering the similarities.
We often see the silhouette of a historical figure without understanding the layers and fastenings or paddings and pinching that build the shape.
For performers, clothing is as important to understanding a character as the words they speak.
We offer the unique chance to explore how historical dress influences movement, posture, behaviour and social interaction.
By experiencing historical garments firsthand, audiences can gain a greater understanding of the physical world their favourite characters inhabited. This specialised offer allows actors and performers the ability to bring that knowledge into the rehearsal room long before the first dress rehearsal.
