Premier show and musical costume hire from Thespis Theatrical Costumiers
Fiddler on the Roof Costume hire
17/03/2021
Fiddler on the Roof Costumes
Thespis are pleased to announce that a new costume set for this show will be available from October 2021
As the curtain goes up, we hear
Tevye saying, “without tradition, our lives would be as shaky as a fiddler on
the roof”
And that’s exactly what this tug-at-the-heartstring musical does. It
asks us to reflect on what and who we turn to when the world around us begins
to wobble, do we, or can we rely on our traditions, our faith to see us
through? Or are we fated to change ourselves, perhaps losing a little (or
perhaps a lot) of our identity, of who we are along the way.
Based around the delightfully candid stories of Tevye and his
daughters by Sholem Aleichem, it was adapted into a book by Joseph Stein,
before being transformed into a musical, with Jerry Bock writing the music and
Sheldon Harnick the lyrics.
It tells a sweeping tale set in Anatevka, a Jewish shtetl in Imperial
Russia’s “Pale of Settlement” around 1905, where we follow Tevye the dairyman,
as he struggles to hold on to his respected, traditional identity in the
community, while stomaching the men his daughters bring home wanting to marry,
with each man more modern than the last, and as Tevye sees it, less interested
in “tradition” too.
Set against the backdrop of the Tsarist pogroms: the purges of Jewish
communities through Russia that caused a great exodus and saw the Jewish
population hounded out, & pushed from pillar to post across Europe, we are
invited into Anatevka and Tevye’s home with utterly unforgettable musical
numbers that will have you off your feet one minute rejoicing the majesty of
life, and then reaching for your handkerchief and it’s cruelty the next.
Fiddler on the Roof tells a uniquely honest story, one of the greatest
importance to society; one so significant that it must never be forgotten, one
of the hardships and joys of life, of principles and values in the face of love,
the tribulations of marriage, the frightening dangers of racial prejudice, the
sacrifices one must make to survive, and of course... TRADITION! - L’CHAIM!
At Thespis, we find ourselves quite often in the fortuitous position whereby generous individuals wish to donate garments to us; jackets, boots, top hats, even wedding dresses of yesteryear.
Thespis has always had a policy of taking on such items, doing any necessary repairs and then letting them see new life touring the length and breadth of Europe in our clients productions.
So when Caroline Walker approached us, asking whether we would be interested in items of clothing belonging to her parents, undoubtedly we said yes. A large carry-bag and suitcase arrived at our offices a short while later, and with all the excitable gusto and curiosity of a young child spying an unopened dress-up-box, we delved inside to investigate what treasures lay in wait (with more care might we add!).
Caroline had graciously sent us suits and jackets worn by her father, and a bounty of dresses worn by her mother, all beautiful, & all of the finest quality.
Suits and dresses made some 100 years ago up until the 1970’s were really made to withstand the wearer’s entire life if treated right, quite the contrast to the disposable nature of today’s fashion.
A suit would be made from such well-spun cloth and sewn so dutifully that the buyer seldom wore them out, they were to be taken in and out as required to fit any fluctuations in shape or size of the wearer.
These suits only met their end at the passing of a trend, to be hung away at the back of the wardrobe, or to one day be passed down to sons or daughters, rather than be discarded.
Today fashion is all too fleeting. What is ‘in’ today may already be ‘out’ by tomorrow.
To acquire quality garments like those received from dear Caroline, in today’s market would cost more than a few pretty pennies, but it does remind us all here at the office of how damaging the disposable fashion industry has become. Perhaps today’s youth outwardly change themselves so quickly because of societal pressures, or the forever-more-overbearing advertising markets making quick bucks, or rather it’s something further within themselves that struggles to reflect the world around them. Either way. I fear it cannot go on indefinitely....
We seldom know anything about the people that wore the garments we’re sent - BUT - on this occasion, we received so many stunning suits and dazzling dresses, I was compelled to know a little more. I asked Caroline about her parents, noting they must have been quite the “snazzy dressers” & she very kindly sent me a photograph of her parents with some information enclosed.
Both Jean & Geoff Walker were born in the 1920s and married after the war in 1950s. Her father had served in the RAF during the war stationed in the Far East. Both were born and bred in the Yorkshire market town of Doncaster and never moved away, raising their four children there.
After the war, as part of the demobilisation programme, her father was granted the opportunity to attend University where he studied civil engineering and joined the Doncaster and District Water Board after graduating. There he rose through the ranks to become a Divisional Director for Yorkshire Water.
Thespis are pleased to be part of this wonderful project.
Glenn Davidson explains about the photo shoot:
This photo shoot marked the beginning of a project inspired by the NYC Dance Project. Our project aims to provide a photographic account of contemporary dance, focusing on the grace and beauty of dancers through a creative photographic process resulting in a series of fine art photos that we will publish and exhibit. In our first shoot with local dancer Cathy Wilson the emphasis was on light and movement, the expression of dance captured through photography. The back story of the shoot includes a creative process which features careful selection of the dance subject and beautiful costumes (many supplied by Thespis Theatrical Costumiers). The simplicity of the set design, creative lighting and background allow the focus to remain on the subject.
Costumes By: Thespis
Would you like to be part of this exciting project
We will be looking for highly skilled dancers to participate in the Project in 2021.
please follow us on Instagram: @glenndavidsonphotography
Glenn Davidson is an award-winning photographer based in the beautiful South Norfolk countryside. Drawing on years of graphic design experience , he has an editorial style that is creative , stylish and contemporary. He regularly works with actors and models all types of performers to ensure that you will stand out from the crowd.
Services include head shoots for agencies, publicity, social media, websites, editorial, publication, print, Spotlight and IMDb.
Just in case you are interested here is a short film about the group with photos from every production since 1995. Lots of familiar faces and some interesting credits right at the end. A cinematic sound track and a couple of recordings of the casts.
Addams Family Costumes Rattonians"Excellent costumes" Very refreshing to have such a complete service and good quality costumes. Really made the show work. Thank you so much!
The Rattonians
Sister Act costumes
Sister Act costumes Hi Margaret,
Hope your Sunday delivery went well, and you have caught up with some sleep. We are all very sad that the show is over!! The costumes were amazing and definitely contributed to the overall success of the production.
Janice Lim
Addams Family
ADDAMS FAMILY
Hi Margaret
Thank you very much for the fabulous costumes you supplied for our production of the Addams family. Everyone was very pleased with their costume, especially with all the accessories and shoes that were supplied with them....
Shine Youth Music Theatre
Phantom of the Opera costumes "Highest quality"
The Phantom of the Opera. Thespis is a very professional costumiers and our dealings with them have been very efficient. The costumes are of the highest quality, and beautifully made and we...
The Phantom of the Opera.
Reviewed By: Susan DuPont
NODA east
NYMT production
Norwich Play House
"Where do I begin with this production?
It was ambitious, professional, brilliantly cast and sung, innovative in staging, groupings and movement, wi...
"We went to Stoke on Trent last night to see your costumes at "The Addams Family and were extremely impressed!"
Bryan Craven LIDOS
Costumes look fantastic Stage Productions
Hi Margaret,
We`ve had the costume call tonight with our wardrobe team and the cast and I must say the costumes look fantastic!
Stage Productions
Phantom of the Opera
Director
Beyond my expectations WW1 Uniforms
Coward or Hero
Margaret,
"Thank you so much for the fabulous job on the costumes....they really enhanced the show. Beyond my expectations.
We have had our first performance and it was exceptionally well received"
Play By Bill Snell.
Bill Snell
The Addams Family NODA West
The Addams Family
So much attention to detail
NODA West
Review By: Rachel Miller Newcastle Amateur Operatic Society. Addams Family Musical. Stoke Repertory Theatre
"I was very excited to go and see Newcastle Operatic Society’s production of ‘...
"Everything brilliant"
A huge pat on the back - so professional and the costumes are excellent.
First time we have used "Thespis" but definitely not the last.
Sue Gallagher M.B.E
Phantom of the Opera Coventry YOG
Phantom of the Opera Coventry YOG
NODA Review
Review
Author: Annette Nuttall
This is one of a growing number of musicals that has been released for youth and school productions only. However th...
Hi Margaret,
Thank you so much for providing such awesome costumes.
The costumes look stunning, Very impressed.
I will definitely be using you for other projects in the future.
Thank yo...
Hello Margaret!
We had so many great comments and feedback on the costumes - that you sourced most of them to fit our specific cast which made such a difference and it's rare to find a costumiers that caters...
Perins School’s production of Phantom of the Opera
Perins School’s production of Phantom of the Opera
Thank you so much. Here is a testimony for you website
Perins School’s production of Phantom of the Opera was a huge hit. With the help of Thespis, our show was worthy of the West End sta...
Hi Margaret
Sorry I did not catch you on Saturday night. Great feedback on the costumes and look of the show.
Have loved working with you; you are no...
Made in Dagenham Costumes
Dear Margaret
Just messaging to say thank you. All the costumes arrived and are absolutely perfect.
I'm so impressed with the quality of the costumes and professionalism of Thespis hire.
Again many thanks to you and for my mug .......
Dear Margaret“We were very impressed with the quality of the costumes we received. The company had also been thorough in sending the correct sizes and had considered little touc...
To Margaret,
Thank you for supplying us with such fantastic costumes once again.
We won the NODA President's award for "best production" and attention to de...
Thank you Margaret. Who knows, maybe one day our paths will cross again. I hope so as I do think your company is one of the best I've ever worked with and I've been doing wardrobe for over 20 years.
Kind regards
Jane
St Albans Musical Theatre Company
Phantom of the Opera Stage One Youth
Phantom of the Opera Stage One Youth
Thank you Margaret and thank you for taking the time to compliment our cast. We try to instil a sense of pride and professionalism in our young people and it is great to have an 'outsiders' view. Your costumes were wonderf...
Phantom of the Opera Daily Echo Review Perins School
Phantom of the Opera Daily Echo Review Perins School
The Phantom of The Opera, Perins School, Alresford
Having seen some excellent youth company productions I was uncertain how a school would fare with such a demanding musical. I needn’t have worrie...
Hi Margaret, Thanks for your totally organised approach to all of this you could teach many a previous costumier a lesson in how to do it Happy weekend. Keith
Keith S
Addams Family Costume Review Brighton Theatre Group
The Addams Family Brighton
Hi Margaret, As promised I have attached a few images of the show for your use with marketing the costume set - which as I have said before were just beautifully present