The Challenge of Dressing Phantom at CLOC
Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera is almost as well known for its visual splendour and special effects as for its score.
Sets and costumes combine in this show with voices, performances and plotline to produce an all encompassing piece of theatre that is a joy to all the senses.
When CLOC Musical Theatre's world amateur premiere production of "Phantom" opens on May 10, all eyes will be on the company to see how they have managed to recreate the many famous and memorable moments in the show, with a fraction of the budget and facilities of a professional company. CLOC's production team, led by Set Designer Brenton Staples and Costume Designer Nerissa Saville, have toiled for nearly twelve months to achieve director Chris Bradtke's vision, and they are confident that audiences will embrace their achievements.
Nerissa has especially faced the challenge of costuming the cast of 33 in a total of almost 200 costumes, over 50 wigs and 30 hats, covering four periods in time across three countries - with the additional challenge of dressing the three operas within the show, which are all set in different eras and countries. Nerissa has been blessed with CLOC's ever loyal sewing team, which for this show, became one of CLOC's largest teams for any of its 98 productions, with 28 women coming every weekend to sew the myriad of frocks, undergarments, bustles, coats, jackets, waistcoats, pants, crinolines, petticoats and accoutrements required for the time periods portrayed in the show.
Some of Nerissa's other challenges included the number of quick costume changes (some only a few seconds), which required the costumes to be designed and constructed in clever and special ways, and also the fact that the use of several stunt doubles throughout the show means that exact replicas of some costumes have had to be made.
"This is the most challenging, exciting and overwhelming production I have ever been involved with, but definitely also the most rewarding,", says Nerissa, who previously designed another ALW premiere musical for CLOC, last year's Sunset Boulevard. "The sewing team has been amazing and they have risen to the challenge to produce some amazing costumes."
Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera will open on Friday May 10 at the National Theatre in St Kilda. There will be 12 performances, including two matinees (Sunday May 12 -a special Mother's Day performance, and Sunday May 19).
Tickets are available by calling 1300 362 547, or online at www.cloc.org.au
Photos: Nerissa Saville with one of leading lady Christine Daae's costumes.
A sketch of prima donna Carlotta Giudecelli's costume for "Hannibal".
Earlier coverage
He'll be there inside your mind
Phantom of the Opera Amateur Rights
More Reading
Community Theatre Seasons 2013
Behind the Scenes at CLOC's Phantom
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