LADY CAPULET

Romeo and Juliet (2014) by William Shakespeare
Adapted and Directed by Kip Williams

Top: silk satin, silk organza mesh
Bottom: ombre-dyed ostrich feathers, polyester organza mesh, nylon tulle

Made by Mary Anne Lawler, dyeing by Roz Keam

David Fleischer (Designer): "I wanted the garment to serve as a sculptural centrepiece for the ball scene, becoming part of the architecture in some ways – hence the scale and bombastic silhouette.

"It was also an important comic device in the earlier scene where we first meet Lady Capulet – requiring the actor to command its weight and movement.

"I designed this dress as a means to illustrate the milieu of the Capulets - also as somewhat of a foil for Juliet – overpowering and smothering her, even though that protagonist isn’t even wearing it!

"The magnificent costumier Maryanne Lawler crafted this dress, creating the couture-inspired piece with care and flair. Also worth noting is the dynamic ombre effect in the ostrich feathers, where each row of feathers was hand-dyed (by art finisher Roz Keam) before being stitched on, in order to gradient in tone up the body."

The hoop of this dress was so large that the only way actor Anna Lise Phillips could get into it was to have it lowered over her head before she went onstage.

Mary Anne Lawler (Costumier): "It was suspended from the ceiling; there was nowhere else to store it because it was so massive! They had it on some sort of hook arrangement, so that she could have it lowered over her head. They'd released the hook and she'd be into it."

Anna Lise Phillips (Lady Capulet): "Oh this dress! I believe it was 110 metres of flamingo feathers. It was hung from the ceiling backstage and lowered onto me like a gift from the gods every performance. Incidentally, I discovered that my co-star and dressing room partner Julie Forsyth (who played Juliet's nurse) has a deep love of flamingos. And there I was, Lady Capulet, Juliet’s mother, with a penchant for party, parading around like a flamboyance of flamingos."

David Fleischer (Designer): "Anna Lise was such a joy to collaborate with on this look, she really brought it to life (as much as I hope the outfit helped illuminate Lady Capulet too)."

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Photos by Lisa Tomasetti and Joanna Shuen