First Family Entertainment

Panto Season 11/12
Making

It was my third season working within the wardrobe department making, retouching, mending and decorating costumes before they are sent out to the venues. Below are a few examples of what I worked on for some of the shows.

Dandini Designed by Emma Waugh, 2011

Dandini Making 1, 2011

Dandini Making 2, 2011

Dandini Making Cuffs, 2011

Louie Spence as Dandini 1, Photographer Unknown, 2011

Louie Spence as Dandini 2, Photographer Unknown, 2011

This is a costume I constructed for Louie Spence as Dandini for Cinderella at Manchester Opera House. This included the jacket, leotard alterations, shoe decoration, cuffs and jabot.

                                 Sou'wester Petticoat Making 1, 2001

                                          Sou'wester making 1, 2011

 Sou'wester coat, Photographer Unknown, 2011, (apologies for the size of image)

I made the petticoat for this costume and also helped with the construction of the Sou'wester, assisting Elizabeth Hodgson. It was worn by Eric Potts as Sarah the Cook in Dick Whittington at New Wimbledon Theatre.

Tommy the Cat Costume, Photographed by Dan Wooler, 2011

 This is a costume I made for Omari Bernard as Tommy the Cat in Dick Whittington at New Wimbledon Theatre. This included making the trousers, decorating the leotard, constructing the cuffs and the gators.

Panto Season 11/12
Alterations
 
So, basically, whilst working at FFE in 11/12, I assisted construction, alterations, maintainance and decoration of costumes dependent on the character, show and actor. This required either interpreting suggested ideas, or using my own initiative. Below are examples of the range of work I have done for the 2011/12 season.

Fairy Bo Bells Shoes Making 1, 2011

Fairy Bo Bells Shoe Making 2, 2011

Fairy Bo Bells Shoes worn by Gillian Wright, Photographer Unknown, 2011

I decorated the shoes worn by Gillian Wright as Fairy Bo Bells in Dick Whittington at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre.

Fairy Bo Bells Apron and Dress Decoration, 2011

Gillain Wright as Fairy Bo Bells, Photographer Unknown, 2011

I bow-ed and bell-ed the costume worn by Gillian Wright as Fairy Bo Bells in Dick Whittington at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre.

Sarah the Cook Hat Making, 2011

Sarah the Cook Hat Making 2, 2011

Christian Patterson as Sarah the Cook wearing Hat, Photographer Unknown, 2011

I customized this hat worn by Christian Patterson as Sarah the Cook in Dick Whittington at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre. It was originally a drinks bottle.

Alteration Ugly Sister 1, 2011

Alteration Ugly Sister 2, 2011

Ugly Sister, Photographer Unknown, 2011

I was required to alter a costume for Cinderella at Richmond Theatre, something I have done to several costumes.

Genie Cloak Hemming, 2011

I assisted in the making and hemmed this cloak worn by Anita Dobson as Genie in Aladdin at Milton Keynes Theatre. I also worked on the Genie costumes worn by Camilla Dallerup and Russel Grant who shared the role throughout the run.

Christmas Tree Dress Alterations, 2011

Paul Burnham as Ugly Sister in Christmas tree dress, Photographer Unknown, 2011

I also got to redecorate the Christmas Tree Dress I made in 2009, as worn by Paul Burnham as Ugly Sister in Cinderella at Richmond Theatre.

I have been working in the wardrobe department since the end of the show’s run washing, mending and maintaining everything from clothes, shoes, hats and wigs. 

Panto Season 10/11

Aladdin Ensemble, Blades. K., 2010

Aladdin Ensemble, Blades. K., 2010

Aladdin Ensemble, Blades. K., 2010

Aladdin Ensemble Front, Blades. K., 2010

Aladdin Ensemble, Blades. K., 2010

Ensemble Mask, Blades. K., 2010

During my last summer as a Student, I decided it would be a great idea to work 7 day weeks split between being a Shoe Shop Assistant ("can you guarantee these shoes will fit my child come September?" to which i would respond, "Can you guarantee your child will not grow within the next 8 weeks?".. Parents!)
And the lovely First Family Entertainment for their 2010/11 season. I had the opportunity to make, mend and craft. I worked on designs by Terry Parsons and Emma Waugh.

The first three photographs are costumes I made from a preexisting pattern.

I also worked on costumes similar to the third photograph, that needed sprucing up! We call it, "polishing a turd"

In the forth photograph I constructed the corset and attached the Obi. I made 6 corsets for Aladdin in Glasgow.

The last image of a mask i made from leather. Its Pig skin, and when rehydrated, you can mold it into any shape you like, leave it to dry, and then voila! In this instance, I soaked the leather, and then stretched it into a mold. When they aren't painted, and you hold it up to your face, whilst stood at the glass window of the warehouse, with all the lights off... well you can really scare someone!

Work Experience

First Family Entertainment

Photograph by Ian Olsson

Front, Blades. K. 2009

Back, Blades. K. 2009

Way back when (2009/10 Panto Season) I started out working for First Family Entertainment, one of the leading celebrity pantomime companies, making this mountain of a dress.

I worked alongside a lady called Maggie Power (her ability is in her name!) making this Christmas tree dress which was designed by Emma Waugh, Wardrobe Mistress.

The dress was worn by Scott St. Martyn, whilst playing an ugly sister in Cinderella, at the New Theatre Woking.

I worked on all aspects of the making process, from pattern prep to making to finishing touches. It also became, probably the most photographed dress in FFE history!

This photograph (along with framed, signed Jon Lee Headshot) now sit proudly in my living room, and will all ways be in my mind, 'a dream come true' (cue snowfall).