SABRINA DALDRY
In the Next Room, or the vibrator play (2011) by Sarah Ruhl
Directed by Pamela Rabe
Cotton velvet jacket with cotton faille trim, buttons, cotton faille skirt with pleating, corset, tournure bustle, silk organza underskirt
Made by Ruth Tickle; Photo by Joanna Shuen
Tracy Grant Lord (Designer): "Pamela Rabe (Director) and I worked together to create the world of both set and costume for this production. She clearly described the marriage of femininity, technology, period and emotional content she hoped to achieve.
"There is a freedom and frivolity of femininity that this costume hoped to show in juxtaposition with the more austere character of Jacquie Mackenzie. The pink was a given and resonated within the cooler greys of the scenic world, enhanced by the blondeness of the character. The fur was an added luxury showing some affluence. All inside a template of late nineteenth century period American style with some clean contemporary lines so as not to look like a museum piece.
"Helen is an exceptional performer and extremely aware of the level of work that goes into putting a character’s costume together for performance. To this end she, more than most, will ensure she works inside the garments to show all their beauty and detail to the audience. The hat, the gloves, the pleats of the skirt were all worn and presented with care and consideration as part of the entirety of the design world.
"For me the delight of seeing wonderful scenographic workmanship on stage never fails to disappoint. The quality of the realisation of stage design is the direct result of skilled collaboration and this production was without a doubt a showcase for all the departments of STC. This costume was one of the many parts that summed up the full design world.
Worn by Helen Thomson; Photo by Brett Boardman
"The STC Costume team, led by Scott Fisher, is absolutely one of the best workrooms I have ever had the good fortune to work in.
"As is often the way with great workrooms, the collaboration with the makers on fabric choices, cutting and tailoring lines, fittings with the actors, detailing and working together to realise the design is the most satisfying part of the work.
"The depth of knowledge and skill on hand at STC enables a shorthand to be quickly established and allows time for great work to be accomplished. With this shared expertise comes a flexibility and creative agility that can respond to any request, ensuring freedom throughout the process of realisation for all involved in the making of a new work. For this, I thank them and remain always in their debt."