Logo for Betty Blue Eyes

Principals

Gilbert Chilvers
Joyce Chilvers
Dr James Swaby
Henry Allardyce
Mother Dear
Francis Lockwood
Inspector Wormold
Betty (Voice)

Get your license from MTI shows

Wikipedia info

Betty Blue Eyes Costume Hire – Full Show Packages

Bring the charm, humour and unmistakable character of post-war Britain to life with our full-show costume hire for Betty Blue Eyes from Thespis Theatrical Costumiers.

Designed for schools, amateur theatre and community productions, this collection captures the distinctive look of late-1940s Britain, with strong period detail and character-led styling throughout.

betty blue eyes costume hire, betty blue eyes pig, costume hire, police uniforms, period costumes, period costume hire,1950 costumes,

Prince Phillip in uniform. Naval uniform hire

Period 1940 Costume in a scene from Betty Blue Eyes set in 1940s

Period 1940 Costume in a scene from Betty Blue Eyes set in 1940s at the dance hall, Period dresses

1940s Dreses for hire. Period dresses from the 1940s for hire

White period wedding dress Betty Blue Eyes

Gilbert is pleased to open his new chiropodist shop scene from Betty Blue Eyes

Costumes for street party scene Betty Blue Eyes lots of flag waving

Click on image for gallery and see extra photos in the right hand side gallery.

Complete Costume Package

Our Betty Blue Eyes costume hire is supplied as a full-show package, ensuring a consistent and visually cohesive stage presentation across the entire cast.

The collection includes:

1940s British period costumes
Principal character costumes
Town ensemble and community wardrobe
Footwear and accessories where required
Character-led styling reflecting post-war rationing Britain

Designed to support both the comedy and authenticity of the production.

Synopsis

Betty Blue Eyes is a musical comedy based on Alan Bennett’s screenplay for A Private Function, with music by George Stiles and lyrics by Anthony Drewe.

Set in a small Northern English town in 1947, the story follows Gilbert and Joyce Chilvers as they become entangled in a comic plan involving a secretly raised pig, food rationing and the celebration of the royal wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

With a determined food inspector closing in and the town’s social ambitions on full display, the result is a warm, eccentric and distinctly British comedy full of character and charm.

Key Characters

Gilbert Chilvers
Joyce Chilvers
Betty the pig
Auntie Irene
Mother Dear
Food inspector and town ensemble

Each costume reflects the social structure, personality and humour of post-war Britain.

Iconic Costume Moments

Late-1940s British town styling
Characterful dresses and tailoring
Clear contrast between rationing life and social aspiration
Ensemble costumes that create a believable community

These elements help deliver the warmth and visual storytelling that make this show so engaging.

Designed for Performance

Durable for repeated performances
Practical for ensemble movement
Suitable for youth and adult productions
Strong visual impact under stage lighting

How the Costumes Arrive

All costumes are delivered ready for immediate use:

Supplied on hangers in named garment bags
Barcoded for easy identification
Delivered on rails in our own vans
No sorting required

Heavy-duty 6ft rails available to hire if required.

Delivery & Collection

We deliver across the UK, Ireland and Europe using our own experienced team.

Delivered and collected by Thespis staff
From our van rails straight onto yours
Palletised options available where required
Flexible scheduling around your production

The Thespis Difference

Full-show costume specialists
Consistent and professional stage presentation
Costumes supplied with footwear and accessories
Designed to save wardrobe preparation time

We supply complete show packages only to maintain quality, continuity and stage impact.

Booking Information

Betty Blue Eyes is an excellent choice for theatre groups looking for a distinctly British period comedy with warmth and character.

Other Shows You May Like

Enquire Now

Enquire now

About us and what to expect from Thespis

Other Shows You May Like

Dad’s Army costume hire
Made in Dagenham costume hire

Extra Gallery Thespis Costume Hire

What our customers are saying...

Spring Awakening Costumes

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 now very much on our radar and look forward to working with again Many Tha...

Gallery Players Ipswich

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

Addams Family Costume Review Brighton Theatre Group

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 presented and made - a real asset to the production. I will...

BrightonTG

Hunchback of Notre Dame. Durham.

Hi Margaret,

Our show was a great success and very well received by the audience. The costumes looked amazing. We had a lot of very positive feedback from the public.

Thank you so much for your help in getting things to us on the Saturday before the

...

DMTC

Wind in the Willows Magnificent Costumes

Dear Margaret

The Willows company are currently in that glorious moment of exhausted joy, in which the show is complete but the thrill of having achieved it keeps you on cloud 9! Everybody who has contacted post-show has spoken so highly of your marvellous cost

...

Sale Grammar School

Macbeth

Dear Margaret,

The costumes were received yesterday and first glimpses are very exciting. We are about to do a costume parade this morning ahead of tech, and very excited to see everything in action.

Can I just say, we are extremely impressed a

...

Haileybury College

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!
Director of Stage Productions Phantom of the Opera

Director

Addams Family Brighton

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

Hunchback of Notre Dame Costumes

Hi Margaret,

I just wanted to say thank you so much for ‘busting a gut’ to create such a wonderful set of costumes.

Everyone is so impressed with them!

Many thanks

Claire J
Head of Wardrobe
<...

Colchester Operatic Society

Daisy Pulls it off

Dear Margaret.

Thank you so much for the costumes they are absolutely fabulous and I so appreciate all your hard work. We are delighted with them.

Best wishes

Charlotte E

Queens College Taunton

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 .... What a lovely surprise, it will get lo...

Queens College Taunton

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 wonderful and really helped to make our ...

Maggie Kearney

Sister Act one of the best. Testimonial

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

Into The Woods

Dear Margaret,

Thank you once again for the most amazing costumes for "Into The Woods" - we loved them! Have a wonderful summer!

Alice

Hampton High School - Richmond upon Thames

Betty Blue Eyes Best Production Winner NODA Awards

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 detail was one of the reasons mentioned-so thank you for your help with that! We look forward to deal...

Ellesmere MTC

Ventnor Theatre Group Phantom of the Opera

Hi Margaret & Neil,

Just wanted to say, I've directed many shows, but your costumes are without a doubt the best I've had. The cast are booming with them. Thank you.<

...

Ventnor Theatre Group Isle of Wight

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

NODA East winner 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, with impressive sets cleverly used o...

Susan DuPont

Miss Saigon costumes

Dear Margaret “We were very impressed with the quality of the costumes we received. The company had also been thorough in sending thed Regards, Sarah. Addison Ousedale school
Miss Saigon costumes
correct sizes ...

Ousedale school

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

Phantom of the Opera costumes

Shine Youth Music Theatre Phantom of the Opera costumes "Highest quality" . 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 well maintained. We w...

Shine Youth Music Theatre

Great Gatsby Costumes

Hi Margaret, While I’m writing, I need to say that the Gatsby costumes are outstanding! Quite sensational, honestly! Well send you some pictures in due course.

Thank you so much!

Seaford College

Sister Act Brighton

Morning Dearest Margaret,

My god – we had a riot last night with a sold-out show and a standing ovation and cheering that did not stop!

Just wanted to say the costumes looked fabulous (baby!) and to thankyou for all your hard work.

...

Chairman Brighton Theatre Group

Spring Awakening

You really are a fantastic comp...

Emil Dale Acamemy

Made In Dagenham at the Adelphi Theatre

Thanks SO much for all the help with our production. The costumes are beyond fabulous! Will definitely send over some pictures after the production.

Thanks again.

Best wishes,
Georgia

Francis Holland Sloan Square

Little Shop Of Horrors

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 to that. Also that they were s...

Manchester Musical Youth

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 there is nothing simple or small about putting on this show, it is a challen...

Coventry Youth Operetta Group YOG

Phantom of the Opera Daily Echo Review 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 worried as the 110-strong cast were an absolute credit to Director Marilitsa A

...

Alan Johns

Lindley Players

Addams Family
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 you again. Cheryl

Lindley Players

NOGAL Productions Addams Family

"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

Sound of Music Boyle Ireland

The show was a resounding success for the group, everybody was talking about the costumes, the Van Trapp kids were crying on Saturday night having to part with theirs ♥?

Boyle MTC

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 stage! Every performance was awash with co...

Perins School

Co-op Juniors Theatre Company

The Phantom of the Opera

Review NODA Review Author: Pam White This has been a production to be seen to be believed! One of our Junior Societies taking on this masterpiece by Andrew Lloyd Webber and C...

Co-op Juniors Theatre Company

Oliver

Hi Margaret Wow just wow! They are absolutely stunning. We are very excited to see them on our students later this afternoon. Thank you, just a fantastic service. Jo

Jo @ Highworth Grammar Ashford

The Addams Family NODA West

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 producti...

Rachel Miller NODA

Addams Family

Good morning Margaret, the costumes look beautiful. Thank you so much for all your hard work. They have bought our show to life and we couldn’t be more grateful. Kind Regards Michelle

The Eastwood Academy

The Addams Family Costumes We were extremely impressed

Hi Margaret,
"We went to Stoke on Trent last night to see your costumes at "The Addams Family and were extremely impressed!"

Bryan Craven LIDOS

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. We have never ha

...

Carol Wibberley

Miss Saigon Costumes

The NODA Best Production Shield
NODA and the Best Production Awards. 2015 WINNER of Best Musical for Phantom of the Opera and The Addams Family 2014 WINNER of Best Youth Musical Award for Miss Saigon 2010 WINNER of Best Youth Musical &...

Adrian Connell NYMT

The Sound of Musical - Exeter Music Society

From Margaret's first response to my initial enquiry, I knew that we were in expert hands. As a newcomer to Wardrobe, I had a whole host of questions. Margaret seems to be on han

...

Exeter Musical Society

Fiddler on the Roof Newcastle WEOS

Hello Margaret

First, thank you to the company and the delivery driver for the endless hard work in our society's costumes. We had a lot of fun at our costume call this evening and it is starting to come together really nice.

Also th

...

Jess

Sister Act NODA Review

Julie Petrucci NODA East CATS’ production of Sister Act The Maltings Ely The setting was used to good effect given it had to represent several different locations and the stage crew did a great job. With about seve...

CATS Sister Act NODA Review