Shakespeare and Costume in Practice

The book Shakespeare and Costume in Practice explores the role of costume design in Shakespeare productions, arguing that it is central to the creation of period settings, the actors' work on character, and the cultural, political, and psychological meanings of the theatre. It uses production case studies of Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing, and The Tempest to demonstrate that costume design can be a site of experimentation, playfulness, and transgression, provoking audiences to think again about power, race, and gender in Shakespearean plays.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 215 pages
Publication date: 24 December 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Shakespeare's plays are renowned for their intricate and detailed costumes, which play a vital role in bringing his characters to life and conveying the themes and messages of the plays. Costume design is not just about creating a visually appealing spectacle; it is also about exploring the cultural, political, and psychological meanings of the plays.

In Shakespeare and Costume in Practice, author Elizabeth Wilson argues that costume design choices are central to the creation of period settings and the actors' work on character. She explores questions such as what the first Hamlet looked like in his mourning cloak, how costumes for a Shakespeare comedy can reflect or critique the collective nostalgias a culture has for its past, and how costume and casting work together to ask new questions about Shakespeare and race.

Using production case studies of Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing, and The Tempest, Wilson demonstrates that costume design can be a site of experimentation, playfulness, and transgression in the theatre. She shows how costume designers can use color, texture, and symbolism to create powerful visual images that evoke emotions and provoke thought.

One of the key themes in Shakespeare's plays is power, and costume design is an effective way to convey this theme. For example, in Hamlet, the costumes of the courtiers and nobles reflect their power and status, while the costumes of the common people reflect their poverty and oppression. In Much Ado About Nothing, the costumes of the characters in the love triangle reflect their different social positions and their attempts to manipulate each other.

Race is another important theme in Shakespeare's plays, and costume design is used to explore this theme. For example, in Othello, the costumes of the Moorish characters are designed to evoke stereotypes and prejudices, while the costumes of the Venetian characters are designed to contrast with these stereotypes and to show the complexity and diversity of the Venetian society.

Gender is also a significant theme in Shakespeare's plays, and costume design is used to explore this theme. For example, in Twelfth Night, the costumes of the cross-dressing Viola and Sebastian are designed to challenge traditional gender roles and to explore the complexities of identity and sexuality.

In conclusion, Shakespeare's plays are rich in cultural, political, and psychological meanings. Costume design is an essential tool for exploring these themes and creating a powerful and immersive theatrical experience. By using color, texture, and symbolism, costume designers can create visual images that evoke emotions and provoke thought, and can help audiences to understand the complexities and complexities of Shakespeare's plays.

Weight: 306g
Dimension: 149 x 211 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030571511
Edition number: 1st ed. 2020