Director Matthew Earnest will be staging Aphra Behn's "The Emperor of the Moon" at the University of Rochester this winter. I have been hired as the costume designer. 'Tis a late 17th century farce and Matthew has already put his creative spin to the play during casting. Most of the boys will play girls, and vice versa. These are some of my initial costume sketches, I just want to capture the feel of the period without doing strict historical clothing.
Cinthio is the only character cast as the correct gender, I plan to make the most of it as you can see.
Charmante is played by a very pretty girl that should make for a charming boy.
Harlequin as a French clown of course. I can't wait to make this crazy wig.
The girl's Nanny...kinda like if Mary Poppins was played by a drag queen.
Another wig I can't wait to make...Scaramouch Scaramouch can you do the Fandango?
We shall see...
13 comments:
Is there anything you can't do? :)
I do love these costumes, how fun this is going to be?! I do so love when they mix the gender rolls, I think most actors get a chance to express themselves in a whole different light. And your costumes look like just the trick.
Good luck in your new project.
Cheers!
Your costume designs are beautiful, William. It reminds me of British pantomime.
How exciting! I'd love to be able to see this production. Aphra Behn was a lesbian far ahead of her time and deserves to have her work more widely known!
Wow, Will! The sketches themselves are pure ART! Miss you.
you mean mary poppins wasn't played by a drag queen? i can't imagine anyone designing better for this production than you. what fun you are going to have with this. not to mention BUSY!!! i hope you will show the end results!
Wasn't Poppins played by a woman pretending to be a man pretending to be a woman?
Your costumes are a marvel, and I'm hoping when they're all done up, we get to see photos of the real thing!
You're a man of multiple talents....
If I was anywhere near your neck of the woods, I'd check out the show.
"Scaramouch Scaramouch can you do the Fandango?" Totally started singing this as soon as I saw the last sketch even before I saw your words :)
Great stuff!
This sounds like an awesome & exciting project for you Will! And one, judging by your designs, that you will excel in.
I love how you have gotten just the right blend of the historical, with the modern, keeping it all fresh and new. And the gender switching just adds to the challenge and fun!
Is it only me, or does the third character look like Will Turner in the "Pirates" saga? And at first impression, I thought you had made the main character look like Kevin, but then I realized that maybe only around the mouth. .and maybe a little around the eyes. .but my imagination may be kicked into overtime. .just like Queen's lyrics immediately popped into my head when I saw Scramouch written out. .maybe that is my only reference!
And remember, Julie Andrews did say that she was only "practically perfect in every way".
I do hope that you will be able to show us photos of the finished costumes. I'm sure that they are going to be spectacular!
Will....what an exciting project.......I know you are up for it! I love your attention to detail and subtle way you reference things. I remember the first time I saw you all decked out in the perfect gentlemen's costume.......totally handmade of course. You are a wonder!
My goodness, Will. What I wouldn't give to be a production featuring designs from your capable hands. Bravo, sir.
Geren
Just when I think I couldn't be any prouder of you....WOW!
I LUV all your designs and concepts.
So Proud!!!!
WOW! I just LOVE LOVE LOVE your work! Very inspirational!! I just came across your blog while visiting my moms blog (Gail Lackey.) You are exploding with talent! Kim
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