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EchoLive.ie, 20 Mar
Clothes and fashions that starred on the Everyman’s stage down the
decades will be up for sale in a fund-raiser for the theatre this
weekend that will also display sustainability, says COLETTE SHERIDAN
Roll up... for sale of Everyman costumes
Everyman staff, from left, Jenny Keane, Ruby Moore, Aoife Clarke, Hilda
Goold and Maeve Scannell wearing clothes that have appeared on the
Everyman stage. Pictures Denis Minihane
Colette Sheridan
FROM a colourful kaftan worn by the late, great soprano Cara O’Sullivan
in Pagliacci in 2012, to an army green T-shirt worn by
singer/songwriter Mick Flannery for the world premiere of Evening Train
at the Everyman in 2019, there is an opportunity this weekend to buy
costumes, vintage and high street fashion that have treaded the boards
at the venue.
With the Everyman’s costume department bursting at the seams, hundreds
of items will be on sale in the bar and the foyer of the venue. And
members of the public who buy the clothes will be supporting
sustainable fashion - and contributing to the theatre’s coffers.
As the Everyman’s Anna Marie Coughlan, head of development and
partnerships, says: “Over the years, we have invested a lot in
costumes. This clear-out will let the public see behind the scenes.
Obviously, costumes are a massive part of theatre and we have some
amazing pieces.
“Also, not a lot of people know that we are a charity so this
fund-raiser will highlight that. We get just 6% of our funding from the
Government. The rest comes through ticket sales, donations, support
from friends and members.
“Anything we get goes straight back into developing shows and
supporting artists. The public are great. They love the Everyman. Being
a cultural hub for the community and looking after the building (which
is 126 years old) is a big ask.”
Anna Marie adds that “curating costumes is a huge project in itself;
just picking them, making them and choosing the right costumes for the
shows. We have several costumes designers (who are freelance.)”
Dresses, one of which was worn by the late Cara O'Sullivan in
Pagliacci, (left) and the other worn by Majella Cullagh in Side by Side
by Sondheim. Dresses, one of which was worn by the late Cara O'Sullivan
in Pagliacci, (left) and the other worn by Majella Cullagh in Side by
Side by Sondheim.
They include Lisa Zagone, Valentina Gambardella, Deirdre Dwyer, Jessica
Healy-Rettig and Molly Ó Catháin.
“With opera, the costume designer is there right from the start for the
concept sketching and drawing. The costumes have to fit in with the
set.
“If there’s movement involved, like dance, the costumes have to work
for the performers. It will be interesting to see if people will spot
the era of the various shows or spot the shows themselves.”
A dress worn by Siobhán McSweeney in the Autumn Royale world premiere.
Picture Denis Minihane. A dress worn by Siobhán McSweeney in the Autumn
Royale world premiere. Picture Denis Minihane.
Other costumes on sale are a tie-dyed cotton smock dress worn by
Siobhan McSweeney in Kevin Barry’s play, Autumn Royal, which premiered
at the Everyman in 2017; a sequined black and gold top worn by Gina
Moxley in Lynda Radley’s play, Futureproof, presented by the Everyman
as part of the Cork Midsummer Festival in 2017, and a grey shift dress
worn by soprano Majella Cullagh in Side By Side By Sondheim in 2010.
There are also the denim jacket worn by Gus McDonagh and an ’80s style
sporty shell jacket worn by Amy McElhatton in The Lonesome West by
Martin McDonagh, staged at the theatre in 2018. And there’s a red
duffel coat worn by Mary-Lou McCarthy and a turquoise blouse worn by
Áine Ní Laoighre in Frank McGuinness’s The Factory Girls, directed by
Julie Kelleher.
Everyman head of marketing, Sinead Murphy, says the sale of costumes
“is geared towards people who are thrifters. It’s for people that are
interested in sustainability and not fast fashion. The eras we’re
covering are the ’80s and ’90s. The ’90s are having a revival at the
moment.
“I think a lot of people coming to the fundraiser will be quite young
as they tend to be more conscious of the environment. There is a big
movement among young people to buy second vintage fashion.”
Jackets from The Lonesome West written by Martin McDonagh. Picture:
Denis Minihane. Jackets from The Lonesome West written by Martin
McDonagh. Picture: Denis Minihane.
Last week, when the fundraiser was being organised, a multi-purpose
room at the Everyman had six rails of costumes and piles of shoes
heaped on the floor. But that was only a sample of what will be on
offer. It’s necessary to have the sale as there is a lack of storage
space in the building. There are costumes scattered around different
rooms and spaces at the Everyman.
“The Everyman has been a functioning theatre since 1990, so some of the
costumes go back to over 30 years. We have had an amazing response to
the sale so far.
“The eager beavers who booked a ticket in advance can come in and have
first dibs during a two-hour window on Saturday from 11am.”
Early access, which costs €10, includes a mimosa cocktail. General
admission is free of charge.
Anna Marie says that it’s not difficult to come up with fund-raising
ideas.
“By our nature, we are storytellers. But what is hard is getting the
message out about how much support the arts need.
A jacket and t-shirt worn by Mick Flannery in the Evening Train world
premiere. Picture Denis Minihane. A jacket and t-shirt worn by Mick
Flannery in the Evening Train world premiere. Picture Denis Minihane.
“Ticket sales keep us ticking over but we do need extra support and
corporate partnerships. Financially, we are doing well. We have a good
team managing the building. But the arts cost a lot of money. Running a
theatre has got so expensive.”
If you feel like some retail therapy that will go to a worthy cause,
drop into the Everyman at the weekend, browse the rails, enjoy a drink
- and who knows what you might pick up...
See www.everymancork.com.
Contact 021 4501673.