The V&A museum in London is custodian to a huge collection of theatre memorabilia and artefacts – from full sets of shows, to play scripts, props, and costumes.
Timed to coincide with their major exhibition “Re:Imagining Musicals” – which is now running in the V&A’s Theatre and Performance Galleries until 27 November 2023 – they have also released some fascinating videos about creating and conserving the costumes of some of the West End’s biggest shows – present and past.
Re:Imagining Musicals celebrates the world of musical theatre and explores the cultural significance of some of the industry’s most iconic stories. The free exhibition showcases 100 objects, the majority of which are being displayed for the first time, bringing together brand-new acquisitions and unseen classics. Read more about the Re:Imagining Musicals exhibition here.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Catherine Zuber – the award-winning costume designer of Moulin Rouge! The Musical – discusses coming up with her iconic costume designs, including Satine’s beautiful diamond costume.
Book tickets to Moulin Rouge! at the Piccadilly Theatre
Six The Musical
Designing costumes for Six – the musical about the 6 six wives of Henry VIII. The show’s costume designer Gabriella Slade and costume supervisor Justin Allin discuss how the costumes were designed and maintained.
Book tickets to SIX at the Vaudeville Theatre
My Fair Lady
Conserving the costumes of My Fair Lady. Curators from the V&A discuss the conservation of historic costumes, including costumes from the original 1958 production of My Fair Lady at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane – which starred Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison. The costumes were designed by Cecil Beaton.
