Bring the emotion, energy and period detail of Battle of Boat to life with our full-show costume hire from Thespis Theatrical Costumiers.
Designed for ambitious youth productions and theatre groups, this complete wardrobe package captures the Edwardian seaside setting, the innocence of youth and the growing shadow of the First World War.
We specialise exclusively in full-show costume hire, ensuring complete consistency across your production. Every principal and ensemble role is carefully considered, with costumes designed to work together visually on stage.
All costumes include appropriate footwear, hats and accessories, supplied ready for performance.
A complete costume package ensures visual consistency, saves valuable preparation time, is often more cost-effective, and delivers a much stronger, more professional impact on stage than sourcing individual items from multiple suppliers.
Set in a seaside town on the English south coast in 1916, Battle of Boat follows a group of children whose carefree world is gradually transformed by the realities of the First World War unfolding around them.
As they try in their own determined way to help their country and support their friend William, who is old enough to enlist and is sent to France, the story unfolds with warmth, humour, rivalry, heartbreak and a strong emotional core. The youth of the cast makes the impact of the story all the more powerful.
William – period youth styling that develops with the growing seriousness of the story
Children’s Ensemble – Edwardian school and seaside-inspired looks reflecting innocence, friendship and energy
Adults & Supporting Roles – authentic First World War era civilian styling with strong period character detail
Military Elements – carefully chosen period-inspired pieces to reflect the wartime setting
Ensemble – cohesive early 20th-century costumes that support both the emotional storytelling and visual impact of the production
• Edwardian seaside town scenes full of youthful energy
• Wartime transition moments as the story darkens
• Group scenes showing friendship, rivalry and determination
• Emotional sequences that highlight the loss and impact of war on the young
Our costumes are designed to balance period authenticity, durability and ease of movement, making them well suited to youth productions and ensemble-led staging.
This is a show that relies on strong storytelling and emotional contrast, and the costume set helps support both the innocence of childhood and the growing weight of wartime reality.
Costumes are delivered by our own team using modern long-wheelbase vans, arriving on rails, in labelled garment bags, ready to go straight into your dressing rooms.
As a guide, you will typically require one 6ft rail per 25 costumes to comfortably accommodate the set.
• Full-show specialist – no cherry-picking, ensuring complete visual consistency
• Costumes arrive organised, labelled and performance-ready
• Footwear and accessories included as standard
• Barcoded costumes with detailed pick lists for easy identification
• Experienced support from first enquiry through to show week
Our standard hire period is 10 days, with additional days available on a simple pro-rata basis.
This show is particularly well suited to youth productions and ambitious younger casts. Early booking is recommended, especially during peak production periods.
Do you supply Battle of Boat as a complete set?
Yes — we specialise in full-show costume hire to ensure a consistent and polished stage appearance throughout the production.
Are the costumes suitable for youth productions?
Yes — this collection is well suited to productions involving younger performers, with practicality and period authenticity both taken into account.
Are accessories and footwear included?
Yes — where appropriate, footwear, hats and accessories are included as part of the complete package.
How are the costumes delivered?
Costumes are supplied on hangers in named garment bags, allowing for quick and efficient organisation during production week.
Can you advise on storage space?
Yes — as a guide, allow one 6ft rail per 25 costumes, although some productions may require more depending on the size of the costume plot.
To check availability or request a quote, please contact us at:
hire@thespis.biz
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Photography credit: Taryn Everdeen. Many thanks for the wonderful images.
Principals
