Costume Information

Willow Blues Costumes

Part of this play take place in Victorian England in a porcelain factory.

We want to distinguish Thomas and Katherine by having them wear Willow Blue colors.  (Thomas’s blue could be his vest).  Everyone else:  Please DO NOT wear blue, except perhaps navy blue.  Also, try to stay away from bright, jewel tone colors.

Men, general information:  Suits were usually black or brown.  Some men wore collars that stood up.  They wore bow ties or ascots.  Very rich men wore vests that were brocaded or silk. Other men wore vests, but not that fancy.  Some wore tophats and gloves.  The fabric was wool for suits and cotton shirts. They wore morning jackets. They did wear stripe or plaids for pants The clothing was not very fitted.

Thomas Barnes (Jr. Accountant-nephew of Mary Barnes) Black or brown suit, Could have a morning jacket, a vest (but not silky) Perhaps a top hat and gloves.  The stage directions say you are fancily dressed.  Imagine how someone who aspires to be wealthy, but isn’t really wealthy, would dress.

Potter Parimutuel (Manchester Moneylender) a black or brown suit or pants and vest silky or brocaded.  A top hat, gloves.

Ernest Caulk (Foreman) pants, cotton shirt 

Shinplaster (Auditor) Black or Brown suit or pants and vest cotton shirt bow tie or ascot

Constable pants and shirt, jacket.  Maybe navy blue.  Hat

Kathryn (Albert’s oldest daughter - nice dress ,long willow blue color.  Small print, very small hoop or just slip under dress small hat

Albert’s other daughters:  Beatrice Hopkins, Elizabeth Hopkins - nice dress, long, small print fabric, very small hoop or just slip under dress small hats

Camellia (tea  lady) gypsy look, long skirt(no hoop) colorful,  blouse, jewelry scarf for head, shawl on hip

Lady Mary Barnes (widow, factory owner) Very well dressed,  long dress with hoop, very nice fabric, long sleeve top that matches skirt  hat gloves

Victoria Gilbody(widow, factory owner) very nicely dressed, but not as fancy as Mary  Dress with hoop, hat 

Ann Chamberlain (secretary) Nice dress no hoop

Jo (cleaning lady) long skirt, or dress no hoop  plain color

Cordelia (tea Lady-in-waiting) like Camellia, not quite as much jewelry

Artists : Peggy, Lottie, Bessie, Hattie

All Artist- Long skirts and blouses, nice but not fancy, and black tint jackets like an artist (or hairdresser) has (see Mrs. Conto for more details on jackets - We have a couple)

Workers:   Lucy, Nettie, Lily, Polly, Sally

All workers -wear plain colored long skirt, no hoops blouse and we will get aprons to wear over your clothes

Contessa de la Milano very well dressed, hoops, shawl  purse, fancy hat or parasol

Translator:  nice dress, long, small print fabric , very small hoop or just slip under dress small hats

The other part of this play takes place in China  (Ancient times):

Bright, shiny  jewel tone colors.  For most of the characters, a Chinese mid-length robe with shiny black pants would probably work.  You might want to consider making a simple robe out of a shiny tablecloth or shower curtain.

We want to distinguish Chang and Koong Se by having them wear Willow Blue colors.  Everyone else:  Please DO NOT wear blue, except perhaps navy blue.

Chang (accountant) Willow Blue-ish top, black shiny pants

Tso Ling (wealthy man) pants and top with vest that goes to the floor

Ta Jin(nobleman wants to marry Koong Se) Very wealthy Pants and top with vest to the floor.  Special hat.

Guard & Captain: Doesn’t have to be an exact match, but should be similar.  Perhaps gold or silver tops with black tie belt and black pants.  Try to do some coordinating with each other. 

Debt collectors: Feng & Zhang – coordinate with each other - should be matching, perhaps red top with black pants

Koong Se (Tso Ling's daughter) long robe, willow blue color   

Lian (Koong Se’s maid ) long robe, not as fancy as Koong Se

Zhenjiang (secretary/fortune teller)  Robe  – Chinese, possibly embroidered, exotic looking

Family members:  Bright, shiny tops with shiny black pants

Sailors – We have sailor tops.  You would need white pants.

Thugs – White tops, dark pants

Some movies to get some ideas of what your character would wear:

For China: Mulan.

For Victorian England, you could watch Oliver!  A Christmas Carol, or other Dickens movies or miniseries; Wuthering Heights;  possibly Gaslight.

The King and I  or Anna and the King (rated PG-13 - intense violence, nothing graphic), might incorporate a little of both.  It’s not the right time period and set in Siam, not China, but it might have ideas (especially for the children in The King and I).

If you have questions, please check with Mrs. Conto as to what things look like.  She will have books to look at.

ADDED:  I was in Goodwill the other day, and saw several Chinese tops and several other robes.