Final Night of Dress Rehearsals for Peter Pan

Peter Pan Prop - Kite

One of the main props and a recurring motif in the play is a magical kite. I sewed together a patchwork quilt of different fabrics and added other elements such as shapes, ribbon, words, buttons and curtain ties. I backed the quilt with black plastic to prevent the stage lights shining through and then stretched and stapled it over a wooden shield frame.

Tiger Lily's Finished Headdress

Alas, it was not made by me but one of our talented costume ladies.

Lost Boy Accessories

Head pieces and hats with horns and boiled chicken bone and garden string necklaces.

Peter Pan Costume Designs - Tiger Lily

As Tiger Lilly's headdress is so elaborate I wanted to keep her costume fairly more simple so as not to compete. Also Tiger Lilly's Indian Braves must be visible on stage as part of her gang so her costume is similar to that of theirs. The main differences are that her gown is longer in the skirt and sleeves, she also has feather adornment around the neckline of her dress. 

One of the seamstresses working on this production has some beautiful camel coloured suede which we are going to use across all the Indian Brave's costumes. There will be fringing on the sleeves, neckline and hem and two orange tiger lilies will be painted on the material.

The colour scheme used in the Indian Brave's costumes will be camel, blue, red, green, black and white. These are simple primary colours, inspired by the paints used by American Indians to decorate their horses and teepees. The costumes will be accessorised with beaded chokers. 

Peter Pan Costume Designs - Peter Pan

I wanted Peter's costume to be more true to his Victorian roots so I looked at images of Victorian stagings of the play and the 1924 film. I decided to include the famous 'Peter Pan' collar but to change the colour scheme of his costume from the well known Disney green to golden browns and earthy colours and this is contrasted with a lilac and black tunic. I also wanted to create layers so he is wearing two tunics and a leafy cape/bolero. Peter's costume will include leaves and cobwebs and hems will be torn to evoke him playing in the forest. The hat is shaped like a 1920's style child's peaked hood. It is an organic form and frames the face in a heart shape finishing at the back in a point, like an acorn or flower pod.

Millinery Designs for Peter Pan

I am really interested in taking up a millinery course this year and as Peter Pan is a production with a lot of hats I thought it would be a great opportunity to get designing.