The RSC’s award-winning costume department is to undergo an extensive £8.7 million refurbishment and be made accessible to the public for the first time in the company’s history.
Costumes and props have always been a defining element of the Royal Shakespeare Company, with the costume makers and designers as important to the organisation as the actors who wear them.
The ambitious project is supported by funding from the Arts Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund, while an international fundraising campaign, entitled A Stitch in Time, has also been launched to raise a further £3 million from public donations and events.
The first big Stitch in Time fundraising event took place last September when the RSC offered 10,000 costume and prop items (around a third of its stock) for sale, attracting 1,700 visitors and raising £50,000.
Star-struck bargain hunters and costume experts could pick up any number of costumes worn by celebrities on stage or screen. Each item had a sewn-in label identifying the actor who wore it last.
“People love costume,” says director of communications Liz Thompson. “Of all our activities it’s the thing people get most excited about. Even sewing on a buttonhole is fascinating for a lot of people, let alone armoury and fat suits.”
The revamped department will be made accessible to the public, as at present there is no public access because the space is too cramped, busy and hazardous.
“We’re keen to let people see what goes on,” says Liz. “The new building has a lot more space to allow for visitors, who will be able to see our makers creating costumes and props. We’re also hoping to do a tie-in with the RSC backstage tours.”
