The fantastic costumes for “Down the Rabbit Hole” were designed by Emma Belli and created by second-year students from Nottingham Trent University [NTU].
I am over the moon with the quality of their work. The costumes are inventive, detailed and characterful. For example, there are Crocheted scales on the crocodile neckpiece and teeth sewn onto the gloves. I particularly love the flamboyant Mad Hatter costume which always gets a roar of laughter from the children when George makes his transformation.
The students highlighted in bold will use this work as part of their professional placement.
I was thrilled that we could organise this collaboration, as I had worked with some of these students before on a project called “Alice re-imagined” in collaboration with NTU and Newstead Abbey. If you’d like to revisit the memory, here are links to the blog posts: Link 1 Link 2
Grace Curran made the Queen of Hearts costume with assistance from Holly Lowe.
Evie Skinner made the costumes of Margaret (Alice’s sister) and the white rabbit.
Holly Lowe made the costumes for the Caterpillar and the crocodile.
Issi Roberts made the costumes for Alice and the Mad Hatter.
Amelie Bradshaw made the ears, can and collars.
They have truly lifted the production to a colourful and magical level – perfect for a Wonderland setting.
Yesterday, I caught up with Emma and asked her to share a few insights about her designing process and the challenges of this costume brief. She said:
“The approach to the costume design was to add fun and colour to the storytelling without adding any technical or practical complications to the production. The storybook style is a nod to the traditional and familiar Alice ‘world’ but is playful, using contemporary solutions and clear ‘pictures’. Practically, I thought about the young viewers, close-level audience situations and the inclusivity of the additional BSL content. Without the availability of wardrobe support, these costumes just needed to work – limited fitting, easy care, quick change, and to be able to go straight into production.
The costume designer, though primarily concerned with ‘look’ and storytelling, can also support the flow of a production through the consideration of ease of use and movement, for example. You can also add humour through costume, designing in jokes and moments. There’s also some opportunity for transforming costumes in this story. The designs also needed to be achievable in a tight time frame, being constructed by students who are still learning their trade. They practised many skills, including; pattern cutting, costume prop making, applied decoration, fabric painting, garment adaptation, logistical aspects, and budgeting. We talked about: “…not designing in problems.” This was a good challenge for them and a lovely, compact project for me to design.”
Looking good!
Thank you Timothy, I’m so exhausted every night, I’m having to go to bed at 1030pm. Thanks for checking in on me.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I remember that exhausted feeling. Many years ago when we were performing, and I worked my current full-time job, we would rehearse until late at night. Then I would get up and be to work by 7:00 am the next morning. I don’t perform anymore, but I’m still get to work at 7:00 am every morning. Some things never change.
This is my first evening off completely in a while, after the shows I’ve been steaming and washing the clothes, catching up on administration and e-mails, sending out pr to try to get some press and repairing things.
Best wishes
Charlotte
You hve a full-time job trying to keep up with everything.
Delightfully playful costumes
They are aren’t they, such fun on stage.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Excitement building here! Everything looks wonderful. Carry on!!
We sign ‘excited’ in the show, children pick things up very quickly. I sent out a teaching video for the children to learn a BSL poem before the show, it is so brilliant to see them signing the poem/song with us. I’m hoping to find the time to put together a couple of little taster video’s for you all after the shows have finished I don’t want to ruin the surprises for any children beforehand.
Best wishes
Charlotte
All the costumes look fantastic! It must be great to wear them on stage!
Zoe is so fast with all her costume changes and Chloe the stage manager is keeping everything in order behind the scenes.
Best wishes
Charlotte
It all looks so much fun. (Unlocking my inner child now) I love it that George gets to dress up too. One day when these women are earning an Oscar for best costume design some reporter will find this photo and say, “this is where it all began”.
Oh I hope so wouldn’t that be fabulous they are some very talented students. George wasn’t quite knowing what to expect when I first suggested he get from behind his piano and join in but he is quite the natural actor. I’m loving being together on tour with him.
Best wishes
Charlotte
The costumes are wonderful. Obviously, a very dedicated, talented group of designers who should be proud of their work.
I agree Bruce, I hope they got a very good report. I will be feeding back my experience of how they held up for the full 26 performances and so far all is going very well.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Excellent!
Kudos to Emma and all the Costumers. The costumes look so FUN. Also, the fact that they are practical, and just work makes it all more perfect.
OMG! George looks a riot. I love the Mad Hatter.
Everything looks marvellous, and you dear Charlotte, shining like a star, look best of all!
Chapeau!
I pulled George from behind his piano right into an acting role and he loved it. Thank you my friend, I wrote in a fully active role for every cast member and they all put in their ideas to advance my initial script, I wanted Zoe and Naomi to be an integral part of the production and shine with their unique skills too. I wish I’d had the time and budget for more art songs and arias and cast members but I’m genuinely thrilled with how it is being received, the children are so engaged. We end with a feedback session and question and answer time and it is so interesting with every show being asked different things.
Best wishes
Charlotte
A special acknowledgement of a wonderful contribution to the project
Thank you Derrick, people wonder why productions need good budgets and it is all of the additional costs and preparations that really make the show zing. I love all the costumes, even the cake! Which the children loved in this afternoon’s show.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Terrific costumes. Kudos to the designers and thanks for sharing, Charlotte.
These students all really shined in this, I hope to get lots of good photographs that they can use in their portfolios of the clothes in action.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Great idea.
Talented group. Sounds like they have a good future ahead.
Such a lovely group, I enjoyed working with many of them during their project last year and the execution of the costumes has been very high. When Emma first suggested culottes for Alice, I thought hmm won’t the children all expect a skirt, and I’d drawn lots of the story booklet with a skirt, but now I’m grateful for it as I’m dashing around the stage. Pays to listen to the experts.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Brilliant costuming. Just perfect.Can I see the caterpillar? My favorite character!
I’ll post a caterpillar photo in my next post, the children this afternoon just laughed and laughed during the caterpillar scene.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I would love to attend this. But a bit far away. You make a wonderful Alice.
Thank you 😊. The children are giving us the most interesting feedback and have used words like amazing, remarkable and 10 out of 10 when asked what they thought. There is a lovely clip of four children’s comments on an ITV tv segment I’ll see if I can find a way to share it at the weekend.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I would love to see that if you can find a way. Thank you Charlotte
Sorry I missed wishing you luck on opening day (I nearly wrote night). It all looks splendidly enticing and fun (and professional) and I bet you are giving so many children memories, hopes and ambitions that they will carry throughout their lives. I think this kind of complex mixed art-form performance demands amazing skills from you as performer, director, manager, educator etc. Fantastic!
Aww Hilary I don’t mind at all. I have been very negligent on my blog since November when everything went frantic. We have had some lovely reviews from the children, teachers, itv Granada Reports came out to watch and did a three minute piece on us on their website and our local newspaper put in a lovely article. I wish you could see it.
Best wishes
Charlotte
The costumes are all great! Wonderful job by Emma and all of the students 🙂
Wonderful. It is so… thrilling to see young talent and creativity at work… Compliments to all.
PS. One also forgets, because of “Disney’s” hold on the story how much this work is embedded in English culture.
Great job again.
(Must be great to hear you all with your English accents… Refreshing…)
The costumes are wonderful! You are an excellent collaborator!
The costumes lasted the test of time and packing up fourteen times, only the March Hare and cat ears took a bashing. The children loved them, I wished the design students could watch the show and see their costumes in use, although my designer friend Emma did get to watch rehearsals, she never saw the children enjoying her creations.
Best wishes
Charlotte
What a thoughtful post, spotlighting these gifted student artists and their creative works! I think your promotion will be such weighted encouragement for all involved. Add mentor and coach to your already impressive CV. And thanks for sharing.
Thank you for your lovely message I appreciate it.
Best wishes
Charlotte