Q&A With The Royal Shakespeare Company Head Of Costume



Alistair McArthur, the Head of Costume for the Royal Shakespeare Company, has been answering questions on his work and the preparations for Richard III posed by fans via Twitter and Facebook. The department have been working flat out to ensure that the look for the new production which opened last night is just right.

In response to questions specifically about David Tennant's costumes he replied:


What did you use then to create the costume David is going to wear? And how many costumes is he going to wear? 
David has about eight different looks. Stephen Brimson Lewis, the designer, chose lightweight silk and jersey fabrics that had a contemporary yet medieval quality to them.

Did you consider Converse for David? 
No, the design is based in the medieval period!



Alistair talks more about working closely with the actors and the designer, ensuring that the costumes survive the run of the play and what happens to them after the production closes. 


Alistair also features in the RSC Video Production Diary 6 where he he gives a tour of the Costume Department and shows his team at work. Watch it here:






Richard II is in residence at The Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon until 16th November 2013. It transfers to the Barbican in London on 9th December where it plays until 25th January 2014. Both runs are currently sold out but returns are available: call the RSC on 0844 800 1110 to check availability




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