Arts & Culture

Last week, I caught Stratford Shakespeare Festival Archives Director Dr. Francesca Marini (right) and Archives Coordinator Christine Schindler, installing a display of Festival costumes at the Toronto Reference Library.

Here they are midway through dressing Falstaff, from Stratford's 1995 production of The Merry Wives of Windsor.

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The costumes will be on display on the second floor of the library until April 8th. I've taken some pictures of details to tempt you to come to see these costumes for yourself.

On the left is the costume Seana McKenna wore as Olivia in 2006's production of Twelfth Night — designed by John Pennoyer. On the right is a costume from the 2000 production of Titus Andronicus. Designed by Charlotte Dean. Diane D'Aquila wore this in her role as Tamora.

Here is Richard III's robe coming out of it's archival tissue.

Tom McCamus wore this Allan Wilbee design in the title role of 2002's Richard III: Reign of Terror.

 
Dr. Marini with the costume that William Hutt wore as Falstaff in The Merry Wives of Windsor (1995). The costume was designed by Susan Benson.

 
I love Falstaff's tie and vest

Second Floor, Toronto Reference Library, until April 8th.

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Researching Stratford's costume designs? — the Theatre Designs collection in the Reference Library's Performing Arts Centre contains many sketches for Stratford costumes. Ask on the 5th floor.