I was thinking what to write the blog on this week - we are now into our rehearsal schedule but as we have only been doing music so far, we have yet to find out what vision our director has in store for us, including the issue of what we are going to wear and what look the show is going to have.
So this made me start thinking about costume. We are all aware of the time Jesus Christ Superstar is set (33AD I think?), and some companies choose to stage it in biblical dress. I have seen an amateur production of this where this was done, and it did not do it for me. Maybe because I feel that this limits you to a sea of sandals and beige stripes with the odd palm leaf being waved around.We have agreed our production will be in modern dress - but what does this mean? We have all been very influenced I think by the recent arena tour, where the cast wore modern dress - the look was of protestors and was heavily influenced I think by the riots in London a few years ago, and the protestors around St Paul's Cathedral. Doing some internet research I came across all sorts of references so thought I would share them with you.
Firstly I found this brilliant bit of video from the costumer designer for JCS on Broadway in 2012 - I really like what he did as he has merged traditional dress with but there are touches of modern fashion - so it still looks funky and cool...
Paul Tazewell: Costume Designer For Jesus Christ Superstar Broadway 2012
What do you think? I particularly like how he dressed Herod and Mary Magdalene - Mary really stands out in that yellow dress.
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| Love the suit Pilate is wearing too |
This last picture shows Herod's song - love the use of the white piano but also how the girls and boys are dressed - sort of camp Roman??? Bit like 'A funny thing happened on the way to the Forum? ' Look at that guy in the red tunic!!
Here is another take on costume from another society - the Hippy look...this is another way of doing it, referencing the time it was written and first put on stage - i.e. 1970s...Not too sure about this - could be in danger of looking a bit too much of its time?
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| Touch me, touch me Jesus! |
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| I'm sure I've seen these guys in the British legion playing ukeleles on a Wednesday night |
Now in this next picture, I am not sure what the hell is going on - back to the 80's anyone? Pink DMs - a bit Bananarama? Although I am quite liking the Angels and the white vests with diamante crosses. But what is with those grey dresses the souls sisters are wearing? Tell me, does this float your boat?
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| Do you really want to hurt me? |
This was the only pic I could find of traditional Biblical dress and I must say I do like the Roman uniforms, but then I have always been a uniforms girl...but no, glad we are not doing it like this.
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| Doesn't Jesus look sweet though? |
It thought this worked well, sort of - mix of old and new? And that corset I bought could come in handy again...I am getting my money's worth out of that. I like Judas in black and Jesus in white. Not sure about the guys in hats though, are they meant to be the priests or gangsters?
This is from the arena tour - hard not to copy it isn't it, as it is so good! - love the banners, love the modern look. It would be really easy for us to do as we probably have the clothes at home - but what does our director have in mind? I am sure he won't want to just copy it.
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| Gotta get my hoody out |
Lastly thought I would leave you with this image of the priests - wouldn't this be great????Like something out of Star Wars??? Leather tea cosies for hats?
Got rehearsal tonight and wondering - will I ever get the notes right? The altos have got some real buggers to sing this year.
As promised in my last blog here is alto corner for JCS 2014!! There are some more ladies but they are either on holiday or in the toilet....
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