Behind the scenes there is a team of people who work for months to create the production that the audience enjoys on stage and one of these is the costume designer.
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In the early stages of a production the director meets with the costume designer and discusses their overall vision for the production.
The costume designer produces a series of sketches and concept drawings to create the design and colour pallet for the production and brings this to the director for discussion and changes if required. Once the costume designs and colours are finalised, the sourcing of fabric and costume creation can begin.
Regina Brennan, qualified custom fashion designer and theatrical makeup artist, is the costume designer for the next Bay Theatre Players production, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, which will be on stage in November/December. Regina has worked extensively in theatres and schools and as a wardrobe supervisor for Fox Studios Backlot in Sydney and has designed costumes and makeup for Tropfest, the world's largest short film festival.
In this production there are two distinct costume categories and every costume is unique. The first category are "real clothes" which are worn in the scenes set in 1940's England during the Second World War when children were being evacuated out of London because of the bombings.
There are two distinct costume categories and every costume is unique.
These costumes have been created to reflect the fashion and circumstances of this time in history and are embellished by props such as ration books, evacuation kits and luggage of the period.
The second category are the "fantasy clothes" worn in Narnia by the characters that inhabit the land; Aslan, the lion and king and god of Narnia, Tumnus, a faun, The White Witch, the evil Queen of Narnia and creatures that make up their armies.
Even the wolf pack costumes have elements that differentiate between them, so they are similar and seen as a pack but they are still individuals. Measurements have been taken of each cast member as garments are tailored to fit the individual. The costumes Regina has designed and created will be a delight for audiences and will bring wartime London and the fantasy land of Narnia to life.