News

“Love Song – The Triumph and Tragedy of Tchaikovsky”

A moving study of the life and loves of Tchaikovsky – filmed by Ian Woodward and using late Victorian costumes.

Click here to watch a showcase of some of the fabulous, historically accurate costumes created by England’s acclaimed designer-costumier Andrea Gambell for Love Song: The Triumph and Tragedy of Tchaikovsky.

School of Hard Sums (screened on Dave channel)

Dara O’Briain’s witty mathematical programme used 21 Regency costumes in this programme to solve a problem using actors and celebrities Mark Watson and Marcus Brigstocke – it involved a lot of dancing around!

School for Scandal

Charterhouse School in Godalming, Surrey, scooped up most of the costumes in the 18th century section for their recent production of The School for Scandal. This very witty play provided a good opportunity for the students to strut their stuff in fancy outfits!

Nicholas Nickleby

A recent production of Nicholas Nickleby by the Roan Theatre Company posed a real challenge – lots of costumes for lots of characters in this fast-moving version of this Dickens favourite.

A Pastoral Messiah

In November 2012, Larger Than Life Stagewear is once again costuming a production of “A Pastoral Messiah” which will be held at St. Anne’s Church, Kew Green on 4th and 24th November 2012.  St. Anne’s is a beautiful church which will be a most suitable venue for performances of  Handel’s Messiah, set against the background of a Victorian story of village people.  See Links page for Unexpected Opera website.

Bath Festival

 A number of customers have been to the annual Bath Festival where everyone parades in Regency costumes.  Don’t they look just as if they have stepped out of a Jane Austen novel!

“Arcadia” in Bermuda !  (and at Beckenham Theatre!!)

Larger Than Life Stagewear sent Regency costumes to Bermuda for a production of
Tom Stoppard’ brilliant play “Arcadia”  as well as for the Beckenham Theatre’s production of “Arcadia” which was on at the same time.  That’s the furthest the costumes have travelled – and they came back intact!  

Harlots, Housewives and Heroines

Lucy Worsley’s series “Housewives, Heroines and Harlots was screened in June 2012 and the dance sequence was filmed using 17th century costumes, as well as a sequence in the Georgian theatre in Richmond, where Lucy is seen dressed in Regency shirt and breeches.

Strictly Cinderella

Beebies Christmas Panto on BBC2 in December 2012 was entitled“Strictly Cinderella”.  Cinderella, Prince Charming, and Baron Hardup were dressed in  LTLS 18th century costumes. 

Baroque Trio

A trio of talented musicians recently dressed up for a grand event in London. I hear they thoroughly enjoyed looking the part!  Get those wigs!

Venice Carnivale  - Feb 2012

How to look good as an 18th cent tourist in Venice!  They may look good but the weather was very cold so anyone thinking of going next year, take your thermal underwear!  The men are lucky, they have a few more layers!

European Festival Baroque Orchestra – Nov 2011

 This orchestra travelled to Jersey for a Baroque concert which was all the more effective for the costumes they were wearing.  It took some organising to get all the costumes there but don’t they look good – let’s hope they decide to do it again, this time in Britain!

Interview with Stage Talk TV

Covering all important aspects of costume design and selection and how Larger Than Life Stagewear provides a personal service based upon experience and attention to period detailing.

Watch the interview

For further details see www.stagetalk.tv

“A Century of Women” 5 - 9 September 2011

Originally performed to celebrate International Women’s Day in March, this critically acclaimed show features the words and writings of women who have shaped our lives, for better or worse.

Larger Then Life Stagewear is proud to be providing costumes.

"It is simply staged but sumptuously dressed by Andrea Gambell and it makes a very entertaining show" Click here for the full review

For further details see www.leicestersquaretheatre.com

“Troy Boy”  a successful production on tour

Larger Than Life Stagewear has designed and made the Grecian costumes for this new and witty translation of Offenbach’s “La Belle Helene”.   Created and directed by Kit Hesketh-Harvey, and performed by the youthful singers from the Merry Opera Company, the story of Helen of Troy and Paris was performed at Upstairs at The Gatehouse, Highgate Village, London N6 4BD  during March and is now on a national tour until September 2011. 

For further details see www.merryopera.co.uk

Thames Gateway Business Awards 2009

Archant Newspaper Group (which manages some 29 local newspapers), in conjunction with HSBC, organises these Awards every year and encourages small and newly-established businesses to be considered for 15 different categories of Business Awards. 

Larger Than Life Stagewear was put forward for consideration in the “Customer Service Category”.  In a glittering ceremony on Friday 6th November 2009 at The Troxy venue in London’s East End, in front of over 700 people, Larger Than Life Stagewear was give the “Highly Commended” Award for Customer Service in competition with 10 other finalists!

A Marathon Walker!

Richard Dunwoody swapped a horse for a Regency costume to recreate the walk done In 1809 by Captain Robert  Barclay - “1000 Miles in 1000 hours for 1000 Guineas”  He and Paddy Power, the bookmaker, were photographed in Battersea Park promoting the event.  Richard started on 29th May and finished on 10th July 2009 and raised over £100,000

Back to Bach

Larger Than Life Stagewear recently provided 18th Century costumes for "Project Vacuum" which references a series of different musical styles.

The organisers wanted to feature the influence of J S Bach and therefore the rich costumes set the scene in a very evocative way.

The boy with no shadow!

The Performers Stage School, South Shields have just used our costumes in a production of Peter Pan. They used a Camouflage effect tunic with wrist and ankle bands, brown tights and belt, all adapted to be worn over a flying harness!

John, Michael and Wendy were also well dressed in period nightwear

Walk Like an Egyptian . . . . . . .

We are happy to announce that our range now includes a fabulous Tutankhamun costume, consisting of a long white robe with pleated sleeves and overskirt, finished in blue and gold, along with a co-ordinating headdress. Suitable for sizes up to 44" chest.

Cleopatra looks fabulous for Anthony

A black loose dress, heavily decorated and with image of Cleopatra on the front of the dress, flimsy gold mesh-effect cape, black/gold sparkly collar, black wig and gold beaded headdress.

All completes a wonderful look suitable for the Queen of Egypt! (size up to 44" bust)

Olé!

For any production involving Spain or perhaps with just a Spanish feel, we can offer an authentic red and white Spanish Flamenco dress with green trim from Seville. (size approx. 36-38" bust, 30-32" waist)

A Touch of Bavaria

Straight from the bier kellers of Bavaria we have authentic looking male and female costumes consisting of 1 pair (long) authentic cowhide lederhosen, waist 38", 1 pair short suede lederhosen, waist 40 and 1 pair faux suede waist 40".

For the ladies we have Bavarian dirndl-type skirts, boleros and blouses (sizes 34" to 40" bust, waist up to 36")

May the Lord be with you

We are able to offer Ecclesiastical Robes, including 1 long white robe, 1 long black robe, plus a vicar's collar and surplice, along with 2 red and gold ornate vestments

Calamity Jane

Ideal for productions of the famous show, and indeed recently used in a senior school production by Bullers Wood School, Chislehurst, Kent.

We have many costumes, including American Cavalry uniforms, jackets, trousers and hats, suitable for Danny and the Colonel. Suedette fringed tunic (Calamity), trousers and cap, plus gun, holster and belt with bullet holders (size up to 42" bust, waist 31", leg 31"). Also a fringed suede jacket to suit Wild Bill Hickok (size 44" chest), available with a hat to complete the look.

The 'London to Brighton' - In Style!

Edwardian Motoring outfits will complete the look for those blissfully wonderful summer drives to the seaside in a vintage Bentley! Many Ladies 2-piece outfits are available, plus blouses, hats and long scarves - warm enough to keep the chill off during high speeds! (sizes 38" bust, 34" waist & 38" bust, 31" waist)

In addition is an Edwardian Mourning outfit - used in West Walls Theatre, Carlisle production of "The Late Edwina Black" (40" bust, 34" waist)

A Middle Ages Crisis Averted!

Fitting in perfectly to the Medieval period is a brown robe, cloak, hat and belt (size up to 50" chest - suit height up to 6')

Ancient Greece

From the times of fearsome Gods, we have added to our collection a gentleman's green and gold robe (size up to 46" chest, 44" waist - suit height up to 6') along with a Greek maidens lilac and gold robe (size up to 46" bust)

Ho, Ho, Ho!

Secretly we all believe in Father Christmas, but in case he's not available we have a perfect copy of his plush jacket, trousers, hat and luxury beard, plus boot covers, belt and gloves (size up to 50" chest, waist up to 44")

The Flying Scotsman!

Any Scottish clansman would be proud to be seen in this black watch tartan kilt (waist 36"to 40"), black Sporran, ghillie shirt (up to 46" chest), and black Argyll cap, belt, socks, kilt pin. For the after battle celebration his fine lady would look stunning in the Ladies kilt (long evening) in Stuart tartan. (waist 32" to 36").

Tel: 020 8466 9010 Mobile: 07802 717714

Email: info@largerthanlifestagewear.co.uk

Please ring for an appointment to view / collect / return costumes.