29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Costumes key to society's next show
South Otago Theatrical Society president/wardrobe manager Marion Leslie looks through some of the 120-plus costumes her team are preparing for the society's latest show next weekend. PHOTO: LINDA ROBERTSON
The costume takes centre stage in a new South Otago show next week.
South Otago Theatrical Society's team of seamstresses — led by wardrobe manager Marion Leslie — have been busy nipping and tucking more than 120 costumes for the society's latest production, Not Quite a Fashion Show, on June 7 and 8.
It is being staged to showcase both the group's talented youngsters and its wardrobe of more than 5000 items accumulated over 50 years-plus.
Mrs Leslie said the wardrobe was "organised chaos" at present.
"We moved the whole wardrobe out to the theatre in March so we could do some refurbishments, and we're still gradually moving stuff back in while also picking and preparing costumes for the show.
"It may look a bit chaotic, but we know where everything is — more or less."
She said the production was a fashion show "with a difference".
"This isn't just a straight catwalk production. There's a lot of humour in the presentation, and our young actors are using the costumes as inspiration for song and movement."
It had been a lot of fun in rehearsal, "and I know our audiences will love it".
Mrs Leslie said the wardrobe was a community resource, and well used for parties, heritage events and more.
"Often we'll get someone coming in saying, 'I want to be a Blues Brother'. Then they'll leave as Ace Ventura or a dwarf from The Lord of the Rings.
"I love seeing people get excited and inspired to experiment when they see how much we have here."
She said the society's seamstresses were past masters at artful reinvention.
"There's a huge recycling aspect. For example, a 1950s ballgown could become Mad King George's ornate jacket."
The theatre had an extensive range of period costumes thanks to community donations from "grandma's wardrobe".
"We're always expanding the collection. We're working on movie costumes at present.
"It's all done on the smell of half an oily rag."
