(snip about percieved insult to theatrical designers)
You didn't? Am I just being overly sensitive? I often feel like
historical re-enactors and reproducers of accurate historical costumes
look down their noses to a certain extent at theatrical costume designers
because the latter don't usually attempt complete authenticity.
Sylrog
I may be a bit optimistic, and I know that some historic costumers
automatically discount anyone who designs for the stage, but I don't think
this was the case here. I'm sure the original poster will correct me if I'm
wrong.
I do historic reenactment and recreation. Most of my customers want very
historically accurate clothing for reenactment. That being said, I enjoy
the different emphasis to costuming for the theater. I enjoy trying to
realize the director's vision, to express the character through the costume
and evoke the various moods. I do try to make that historically accurate
whenever possible, but sometimes it's not. Whether that's the production of
Hamlet that was done all in dull browns, greys and other muddy shades due to
the director's ideas, or the production of The Misenthrope that we did in
1635 costumes rather than the 1670's that were actually appropriate, because
we could borrow the one, and we would have had to make the others, and we
had a $500 costume budget. Wasn't going to get done, and while it somewhat
offended my sensibilities, for the most part the audience didn't know it
wasn't meant to be.
I'm actually developing a lecture for next year on why and when you would or
would not want to be completely accurate with a costume. It's just in the
ruminating stage right now, but I'd welcome any thoughts from y'all.
Melusine
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