The Vackees

Logo for Vackees

Principals

BBC radio announcer # 1
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Kip
Kips Mother
Kips Friends & Evacuees as required
Duncan
Constance
Eric
Arthur
Eileen
Kathy
Nan
Elsie
Molly

Darchett Gang ( Somerset)
Buzz
Lance
Stan
George
Fred
Dot
May
Nel
Alice

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The Vackees Costumes

At Thespis Theatrical Costumier we have a goods selection of 1940s vintage clothing which gives the "authentic" look to your production.We can also supply the vintage military costumes.

Evacuees on train platform Madison Bicknell Centre

Soldier, police and chorus during Blitz scene

Evacuees in train waving goodbye Madison Bicknell Center

Chorus and girl in white dress at the cinema

Mothers saying goodbye to children being evacuated

Set at the outbreak of the Second World War, this is the funny, moving story of the invasion of a Somerset village by child evacuees from London - The Vackees - and their adventures with the (at first) hostile native children. The musical centres around a young London lad, Kip, and follows his first experiences of love and war .The story unfolds with Kip saying farewell to his mother and boarding the train to an unknown destination .He and the rest of the gang are boisterous but apprehensive, and they sing "Moving on" depicting a train journey that will lead them to Darchett.They are accompnaied by Mr Constance a teacher.On arrival at Darchett the Vackees wait to be chosen by the Somerset families who clearly were expecting a less "heathen " looking bunch but eventually all are dispersed amongst the villagers. Mr Constance , however, is left standing with the billeting officer commenting" they never said anything about teachers...". He is rescued by the local school teacher Miss Maybee and after their own initial battles over classrooms and equipment, romance blossoms. Kip ends up being billeted with Lucia Braithwaite ( "Aunt Luce" ) and shares her house with Ellen , her niece and ward, and Grace , her 14 year old maid.Kip befriends a local eccentric called Mr Jack who teaches him about the country.After "the Battle of Darchett Hill" the relations between the gangs soften and soon it is time for Kip to return to London but he finds is rather changed!

The Vackees Costume Hire

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Reviews

What our customers are saying...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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
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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Spring Awakening

You really are a fantastic comp...

Emil Dale Acamemy