What is period costume?
The clothing associated with a particular era
Mourning clothes
Clothing that has been made to order
What were the Sumptuary Laws?
The earliest laws governing fair practice in the distribution of fuel for transport
15th century laws about food and drink preparation
Laws that dictated what could be worn by people of different ranks in England until well into the 17th century
Why is it a good idea for some plays to use practice dress?
It saves wear and tear on the costume
Some costumes affect movement and you need to practise that movement
Wearing practice dress for rehearsals makes the costume more of a surprise
Does it matter what you wear if your part requires ordinary everyday clothes?
Even ordinary everyday clothes should be chosen with care, to reflect the character as precisely as possible
The actor can wear their own clothes to play their role when the script calls for ordinary everyday clothes
Ordinary everyday clothes is just another way of saying it doesn't matter what you wear
In what era would you find the crinoline?
Victorian
Tudor
Norman
Can the colour of clothes be significant?
The only basis on which colour of a costume should be chosen is what suits the performer
It can be part of a thematic link in the play in which a particular colour has a certain significance
Colour of costumes does not matter at all in a performance
Are hats, shawls, canes and umbrellas considered to be props or costumes?
They are always props
They are always costumes
They are potentially both props and costumes
Is it true that fantasy costumes often make a bold statement within a production?
Costumes should never be allowed to make a bold statement that attracts attention
Fantasy costumes, such as that of the pantomime dame, can make a big statement
Alll costumes, not just fantasy ones, should attract attention
What impact would wearing a whalebone corset have on a woman's movement?
She would have to be very upright, affecting things like sitting
She would have to be relaxed, affecting things like sitting
She would have to be very quick in her movements to look convincing
How did the flat cap come to be an accepted part of English dress?
A law passed in 1871 said you had to buy a flat cap if you had an income of more than £200 a year
A law passed in 1571 said anyone over the age of six, other than the nobles, had to wear a woollen cap on Sundays and holidays
A law passed in 1726 said the wearing of flat caps was to be upheld as an English tradition