Western Morning News (Saturday)
We all need some fancy dress fun and escapism
GHOULS, ghosties and scary things abound this weekend as youngsters celebrate Halloween. Children delight in “trick or Treat” and display pumpkin lanterns and rubber skeletons to mark All Hallows Eve. The name comes from the liturgical year when we remembered the dead, the saints (hallows) and all those departed from this mortal coil.
It’s a good excuse to dress up, as Marilyn Grose knows only too well. Marilyn runs a successful costume business, “Encore” in Saltash, Cornwall.
The work comes naturally to her. Marilyn has been dressing up from an early age, dancing on stage when she was two. For more than 25 years, she was a major part of the Saltash Operatic and Dramatic society, dancing, choreographing, acting and a busy committee member.
“It gave me a lot of understanding about costumes and makeup,” she says. So when Marilyn had the chance to buy up a lot of stock back in the 90s she opened up her business in Cornwall and transferred her expertise from stage to sales.
“In the early days we made a lot of our outfits,” she says. “We don’t do that now as we have such a huge stock and pride ourselves on trying to get something in if we don’t have it”.
I love fancy dress parties. I can remember Hubs and I going out as Andy Pandy and Looby Loo, Hubs with long blonde plaits and a blue frock. He was less than amused to be wolf-whistled when he had to crawl under our broken down car, bum in the air, on a garage forecourt on our way to the event.
We’ve held our share of dressing up events, and delighted in people’s ingenuity as they arrive dressed wearing a canoe, shuffling as Captain Tom on a walking frame, as blow up pigs, a cabbage, you name it and they put in the effort.
And that’s the joy of such celebrations. Being someone else, enjoying the escapism, making each other laugh, using our imagination. It’s a real treat in these somewhat glum times.
People used to wear masks at parties and balls as far back as the 14th century. Sometimes the events could be quite scandalous and people could hide behind their masquerades.
Wearing unusual outfits “fancy dress” was recorded in Venice in the 17th century when people dressed up for pre-lent carnivals. In France in the 1500s people liked to dress up as famous people in history – anything from Trojans, shepherds or ancient Greeks.
Marilyn Grose prefers describing her work as a costume rather than a fancy dress business.
“We work with a Murder Mystery company and supply the costumes needed for the games,” she says.
“For general fancy dress, people can rent an entire costume or they can buy accessories and make up their own outfits, which might be cheaper. Lots of people ask to come in on a Friday or a Saturday in a bit of a panic and we’re able to help them accessorise what they might already have.”
Amy Hills would understand. She’s the deputy head of the wardrobe department at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth. Like Marilyn, the wardrobe department works with amateur dramatic groups, and schools and supports many organisations in the south west as well as doing private hire for individuals says Amy.
“Our department supports young company shows who usually perform in the Drum theatre twice a year. We also work with the Theatre Royal – we’ve had 10 dressers working with the Welsh National Opera this week as they have a large cast and need help dressing performers between scenes. Touring companies usually come with their own wardrobe and team but we provide staffing if they wish.”
The wardrobe department boasts thousands of outfits, from modern to historic. “We sent a very glitzy Genie outfit to the cleaners – it was needed for the evening performance” said Amy. “When it came back, all the beads and sequins were in an envelope. We had a bit of a panic on as we couldn’t repair the outfit in time but had to use some industrial spray glue and sprinkle glitter all over it. Fortunately it worked.”
Marilyn’s business is not just about dressing people in fun clothes. “I trained in facepainting and makeup and I love giving workshops to theatre groups. These groups rarely have a makeup artist so they’re keen to get advice on how to achieve a certain look. I give them the tools for the job at a price they can afford. I also do demonstrations for A-level students who are doing curriculum enrichment and get a lot out of that.”
Amateur dramatics, an activity cut short during Covid, is Marilyn’s real passion.
“I used to run a group in Saltash but our hall was pulled down and replaced by a gym. I started a youth group called Youngstagers pre-covid and now things are settling down I want to extend it to adults.”
It seems that performing drama, whether professional or amateur are excellent for building confidence, relationships and teamwork. It’s all about having a bit of fun – which is what those trick and treaters will have on Monday night.
Encore. Call 07715 557757 for an appointment. encoresw.com
Theatre Royal Wardrobe Department. Call 01752 230331
Making each other laugh, using our imagination. It’s a real treat in these somewhat glum times