Costume hire helping to reroof Playhouse
Ready to help out the partygoers at the costume hire, Pauline Nicholls, left, and Joan Fishley. Photo: Jane Bellerby.
Slipping into a slinky little 1930s flapper dress, drawing on long, white, kid gloves and throwing a fox-fur stole nonchalantly around your shoulders need not be a thing of the past. Nor climbing into full piratical boots, cloak and plumed hat.
The weekly costume hire service from Takaka Drama Society’s wardrobe department can fulfil your dress-up fantasies, create the right number of “oohs and aahs” at a party or present an immaculately suited ballgoer—all for the grand price of $2 per item and a $20 refundable bond. You get a generous two weeks’ hire time from the night of wearing, plus the knowledge that while you’re having fun, your dollars are making a community contribution to the running of the Playhouse, which right now needs a new roof.
Joan Fishley, Pauline Nicholls and Diane Langford have run the wardrobe for years, and take responsibility for the hiring, care and creation of the costumes, which are of consistently high quality.
“We generally do any of the mending needed,” says Pauline. “Sometimes a stitch here and there is necessary to keep the outfits in good order.”
Each winter a steady flow of boys comes to hire suits for the two school balls. Generally the girls want to own their ball attire, but may come in for accessories.
“The boys are very respectful and the vast majority of the clothes are returned in excellent order,” says Joan. “We are quite clear of how we expect them to be returned, so the boys, or their mums, make an effort to wash and iron the shirts and sometimes the suits are even dry-cleaned.”
Joan, Pauline and Diane get a lot of fun from seeing people enjoy dressing up, and pull no punches in expecting the outfits to be well looked after so they can continue to hire out quality clothes.
Many of the outfits are authentic items from their era. This includes a few Victorian and Edwardian garments and those from various decades of the last century. “I notice stilettos and 1960s outfits are having a resurgence of popularity at present,” Joan laughs. “The authentic clothes tend to be of a smaller fit, so for those with a fuller figure a little ingenuity is sometimes necessary. I know, I’ve got a fuller figure!”
There are also character costumes such as fairies, elves and pirates, and numerous accessories for fancy dress. With their knowledge and expertise, the wardrobe mistresses know that one or two key items can create the impression of a particular time or character.
Clothes are donated by the community, though the team makes outfits themselves. Pauline says they often create costumes for a particular Drama Society production and these go into the hire pool. Many costumes worn by students in My Fair Lady came from the wardrobe department. Local schools are not charged for costumes for plays, skits, or productions, and this is one way this community-minded enterprise gives back what it receives.
“The wardrobe department certainly makes a significant contribution to the running of the Playhouse,” said Joan, “so it’s good to be so busy every Wednesday evening when we open for hireage and returns from 7pm to 9pm.”
Jane Bellerby
