Thespis Costumes Proudly Dressed the Dream...

Les Misérables – Leeds – 40th Anniversary Production

We were thrilled and deeply honoured to costume the entire production of Les Misérables for the spectacular 40th anniversary staging in Leeds — a landmark event in UK amateur theatre history!

This ground breaking production marked the first time in 40 years that amateur theatre companies in England have been granted the rights to perform a fully licensed version of Les Misérables — and what a phenomenal triumph it was!

The show was a magnificent collaboration between four powerhouse theatre groups in West Yorkshire:
LAOS Musical Theatre Company, LIDOS, Wakefield West Riding Theatre Company, and Buttershaw St Paul’s AODS (Bradford).
Together, they brought Victor Hugo’s timeless story to life with extraordinary passion, talent, and heart — and we at Thespis were delighted to dress every moment.

From the grimy streets of 19th-century France to the sweeping grandeur of the barricades, our costumes helped create a visually stunning world that matched the emotion and power of the music.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the cast, creatives, and crew for a truly unforgettable production.

Read more on the BBC News website.

Coming Soon: Thespis Returns to the Barricades!

We're thrilled to announce that Thespis will be costuming yet another full-scale production of Les Misérables, this time with NNOS (Norwich)at the Theatre Royal Norwich in July.

Tickets are already selling fast — secure yours now via the Theatre Royal box office.
Don't miss this next epic chapter!

Introducing Our Latest Show:

Bonnie and Clyde

Step into the drama, intrigue, and style of the Great Depression era with Thespis Theatrical Costumiers Ltd's newly released Bonnie and Clyde costume set. Capturing the essence of the 1930s, our meticulously crafted costumes bring the story's grit, glamour, and danger to life, transporting audiences to a world of rebellion, passion, and outlaws on the run.

Synopsis

Set during America’s Great Depression, Bonnie and Clyde follows the electrifying story of two young lovers turned infamous outlaws. With a cast of dynamic characters, including their gang members and the law enforcement determined to stop them, the story captures the tension between ambition, love, and the cost of crime.

Contact Thespis Theatrical Costumiers Ltd today to secure your booking! With our professional costume sets and attention to detail, you’ll be ready to bring Bonnie and Clyde to life on stage. ??

Introducing Our Stunning New Show:

The Great Gatsby

Thespis Theatrical Costumiers is delighted to unveil our latest costume collection, now available for hire: The Great Gatsby. Step into the glamour and decadence of the roaring twenties, where jazz-age elegance meets dramatic storytelling. Our meticulously crafted costumes capture the spirit of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic tale, bringing the dazzling world of Gatsby, Daisy, and their unforgettable circle to life on stage.

Glamour of the 1920s

The 1920s were a time of glitz, jazz, and rebellion. Our costumes embody the era's sophistication with shimmering flapper dresses, sharp suits, and accessories that exude timeless elegance. Whether it's Daisy's sparkling charm or Gatsby's suave confidence, every outfit has been designed to transport audiences to a world of wealth, romance, and intrigue.

Our Great Gatsby costume collection is now available for hire, with complete sets tailored for each character and supporting roles. Whether you’re staging a large production or a smaller adaptation, Thespis Theatrical Costumiers provides the attention to detail and quality you need to make your show a success.

Contact us today to learn more

Our Founder

Who is behind the madness?

About Thespis Theatrical Costumiers

and Founder Margaret Bicknell

Hidden within the labyrinthine aisles of costumes at Thespis Theatrical Costumiers, you might just catch a glimpse of our tireless mastermind, Margaret Bicknell. Known here as the “human sewing machine” (with far fewer breakdowns!), Margaret is the heart and driving force behind Thespis, bringing her passion for quality and history to each project we undertake.

Margaret's story is as unique as the costumes she creates. She graduated with a BA Hons in History of Art from the University of East Anglia in the vibrant 1980s, a time when the world was racing toward the new millennium. But while many were focused on the future, Margaret was captivated by the past. After graduation, she spent time in picture restoration, but financial realities eventually led her to become a Chartered Accountant. She enjoyed a 30-year career in accountancy, including a memorable five years supporting Peter Gabriel of Genesis fame.

Returning to Norfolk, Margaret felt the pull of her creative roots. Her children had become involved with the Norfolk Youth Music Theatre, where she initially volunteered as a chaperone and treasurer. Her passion soon drew her to costumes, where her background in historical costume study was invaluable. In 2008, Margaret took a bold step, leaving her accounting career to establish Thespis Theatrical Costumiers.

Margaret’s philosophy? To deliver the highest quality costumes with attention to detail that’s second to none. She believes in crafting each costume with care, refusing to cut corners, which is why Thespis is one of the few costumiers to provide authentic footwear with each costume set. “It must be done!” she declares.

For over 13 years, Thespis’s costumes have graced stages across Europe, from Iceland to Malta, and Margaret is far from done. Under her leadership, Thespis Theatrical Costumiers has become known for excellence, bringing history and character to life through meticulously crafted costumes.

What to Expect from Thespis Theatrical Costumiers

Our comprehensive costume packages come accessorised with everything you need—jewellery, footwear, hats, gloves, and more—often included in the price, saving you valuable time and money.

With tens of thousands of costumes, we can tailor solutions for almost any production, including plays, Shakespearean performances, corporate events.. Our costumes are professional-grade, crafted for authenticity and unsuitable for standard fancy dress.

The Complete Costume Hire Package

At Thespis, we provide a full-service solution to take the headache out of costuming. From delivery and collection with our specialised costume-transport vans to flexible, after-hours availability, we make it easy to get your costumes when and where you need them. No flimsy cardboard boxes here—our costumes are carefully packed in named garment bags and come on wooden hangers, ready to wear, saving you hours of sorting and organising.

Each costume set is fully bar-coded and includes detailed data sheets for easy identification. In our secure online “backstage area,” clients have access to our innovative e-measurement forms, as well as standard paper forms for convenience.

All costumes are tailored to fit each performer with just a little  tweaking by your wardrobe team. The costumes are labelled and barcoded for specific actors and scenes, leaving you free to focus on your production. While we offer complete show packages, we also hire individual costumes to suit your needs.

Please note that we have a minimum hire charge of £250.

“Complete shows. Completely simple.”

A Special Sound of Music Production in Luxembourg

16/11/2024

Thespis has had the privilege of costuming some of the largest productions of The Sound of Music outside of the West End and Broadway, from Ireland to Lithuania. This time, we were thrilled to be part of something truly special with Pirate Productions Luxembourg.

For their five-performance run of The Sound of Music at the Kinneksbond Cultural Centre in Mamer from 7–10 November 2024, we provided costumes for a main cast of 20, a 30-strong ensemble, and two rotating groups of children. As part of our specialized service, we used our own adapted vans to deliver the costumes directly to the production. By handling all customs paperwork in-house, we ensured a smooth overseas shipment, with costumes arriving ready-to-go—hung on named garment bags—saving the team countless hours of sorting and preparation.

The production itself has been a masterclass in collaboration, with a functional and creative set design that transforms seamlessly between the abbey and the von Trapp household. With a mix of seasoned experts and new talent in the director and musical director roles, Pirate Productions is clearly passing the torch to a new generation—and what an impressive result!

We’re incredibly proud to have played a part in making this remarkable production a success.

Bravo to the entire team!

Local news review 

Looking for the perfect costumes for The Sound of Music? Look no further than Thespis Theatrical Costumiers, your premier destination for professional and bespoke costume hire. From large-scale productions to local performances, our expertise ensures your cast looks stunning on stage.

Why Choose Thespis for The Sound of Music?

• Experience Across Europe: We've costumed some of the largest productions of The Sound of Music outside of the West End and Broadway, from Ireland to Lithuania.
• Comprehensive Costume Collections: From Maria’s iconic dirndl to the Von Trapp children’s matching outfits and the nuns’ habits, we offer complete, high-quality costumes tailored to your production.
• Specialized Services: We handle overseas shipments with ease, managing all customs paperwork in-house to ensure a stress-free process.
• Convenience: Costumes arrive pre-hung and sorted in named garment bags, delivered directly in our specially adapted vans—saving your team precious time.

Our Sound of Music Costume Options

• Maria’s wardrobe, including her novice dress and famous curtain-made play clothes.
• Elegant ensembles for Captain Von Trapp and the Von Trapp children, including sailor suits and formal evening wear.
• Authentic nun’s habits and abbess robes for the convent scenes.
• Period-specific Austrian costumes for the ensemble, from traditional dirndls to formal attire for the ball.
• Nazi uniforms for the final act, ensuring historical accuracy.

Flexible Costume Hire for Your Needs

Whether you're staging a professional production or a school performance, we work closely with directors and production teams to provide tailored costume packages. Need additional pieces or accessories? We’ve got you covered.

Contact Us for The Sound of Music Costume Hire

Bring your production of The Sound of Music to life with Thespis Theatrical Costumiers. Contact us today to discuss your needs, get a quote, or book your costumes. We serve productions across the UK, Europe, and beyond.