This is the sort of question Bay Theatre Players’ Sam Lloyd must have asked herself many times in the lead up to the casting and directing of Bay Theatre Players’ end-of-year production, The Wind in the Willows.

In addition to the obvious need to make costumes for her four principals, Toad, Ratty, Badger and Mole, Sam needs to costume a horse, an otter, many, many weasels, and also stoats, hedgehogs, rabbits and so on and so on.

There is even a fox, as the script says, with a conscience.

Sam and her loyal band of sewers have been beavering (perhaps that should be rabbiting) away for several weeks now, with several more weeks to come, to provide all these costumes.

Everyone has had to be measured, and will soon be fitted with their costumes and other accoutrements – the horse even needs a bridle.

Sam has been garnering materials for the task for many months. They have included fur and feather and particularly leather, but also many other types of fabric, but she still needs more hands to complete the work.

As Sam said to a parent who offered her services at one of last week’s rehearsals: “Yes, please, there is plenty to sew.”

Although there is a lot more to do, Sam is happy with the progress so far and is very grateful to her workers, who include set builders as well as costume makers. 

In addition to seeking more sewers, Sam is also looking for several props for the show – a man’s straw boater hat, a metal washtub and a barrister’s wig.

If anyone has any of these items and would be prepared to loan them to BTP, phone Sam on 4472 5984.