SHIRLEY TAKES ON DOLLY
SHIRLEY Whitehouse has sewn dresses and garments her “entire life’’ after owning a bridal salon in New Zealand in the 1980s.
Now the Southport local, who moved to the Gold Coast in 1992, has been appointed as the volunteer wardrobe mistress and costume creator for the upcoming production of
Hello Dolly at the Gold Coast Little Theatre.
In her first foray into the theatre, Mrs Whitehouse is in charge of creating all the costumes for the November production set in 1890s New York.
The classic musical follows the story of Dolly Gallagher Levi, a strong-willed match- maker, as she travels to Yonkers, New York, to find a match for the miserly “well-known unmarried half-a-millionaire” Horace Vandergelder.
“There are lots of slacks and jackets, it’s very elegant and gorgeous,” Mrs Whitehouse said.
“There are suits, bustles, hats, it’s been brilliant being able to create such wonderful costumes.”
The 75-year-old has experience in costuming, having sewn outfits for late-night television variety shows in New Zealand more than 40 years ago, but this is her first time working in theatre.
“Since I was 16, it was my dream to go to Hollywood,” she said.
“So in my retirement I wanted to do something that would help me live out that dream, of being a part of something like this.
“It has just been wonderful creating all the elegant outfits. It’s been so rewarding.”
Mrs Whitehouse juggles the role with looking after her husband, Anthony, after he suffered a stroke four years ago.
She said helping to create the 75 costumes required for the leads, ensemble and the cast had given her something for herself to enjoy.
“For the past 10 days I have been putting in eight-hour days sewing costumes. It’s been flat out,” she said.
“We started in late August and are still going.”
Hello Dolly is directed by Kate Peters. It runs at the Gold Coast Little Theatre from November 3 to December 1.
FOR THE PAST 10 DAYS I HAVE BEEN PUTTING IN EIGHT-HOUR DAYS SEWING COSTUMES. IT’S BEEN FLAT OUT SHIRLEY WHITEHOUSE