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 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 Package
At Thespis, we provide a full-service solution to take the headache out of costuming. From delivery and collection with our specialized 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 garment bags and come on wooden hangers, ready to wear, saving you hours of sorting and organizing.
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 wardrobe. 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.”
Our address is: Thespis Theatrical Costumiers Ltd Church Road Thelveton Norfolk IP21 4EP Registered in England and Wales No.8532014 Contact us: Telephone:
Email: hire@thespis.biz
OPENING HOURS
Viewing at our studios strictly by appointment only
Mon - Fri 09:00 - 17:00
Studios are closed for viewing Sat - Sun
Emails & phones are monitored for clients with active shows running.
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