Marta of Liselund

Marta of Liselund

The romantic landscaped park at Liselund, on the island of Møn in Denmark, with its little palace and Chinese, Swiss and Norwegian guest houses is poetic and a little magical. The costumes for the production of The White Lady were inspired by nature and by Marta of Liselund who lived independently as lady of the manor …

Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland

“I knew who I was this morning, but I’ve changed a few times since then.” Tilde Knudsen of Teater Asterions Hus performed Alice in Wonderland in a live stream from the island of Møn in Denmark during Covid 19 as the theatres were closed. Photos: Emile Carlsen

Deus Ex Musical

Deus Ex Musical

Costume as scenography for Deus Ex Musical performed by La Dual Band nel Cielo sotto Milano, March 2019. Written and directed by Anna Zapparoli. Music by Mario Borciani. Scenography and costumes Susan Marshall.

Metamorphosis of a costume

Metamorphosis of a costume

‘Insubordinate Costume’ PhD research, MA Performance workshop, Goldsmiths, January 2019. Performer: Luigi Ambrosio. Insubordinate costumes subvert the traditional hierarchies of the theatre by becoming the starting point of a performance. Their design imposes on the performers which usually necessitates an alternative, creative approach to space, form and movement.   As part of my PhD research exploring the link between play and scenographic costume, I have developed …

Origami Fortune Teller

Origami Fortune Teller

‘Insubordinate Costume’ PhD research, #Critical Costume 2018 After an indepth survey of the use of scenographic costume in theatre, performance and fashion for my PhD, it was surprising to discover that, with one or two exceptions, the costumes were designed by artists, choreographers, performance artists and fashion designers rather than by costume designers or scenographers.   …

Delineavit

Delineavit

Written and directed by Mauro Gentile, actors: Simona Cavalli, Giulia Moroni, Stefania Vianello, costumes: Susan Marshall. Delineavit focuses on the life and memories of Shakespeare’s wife, Anne Hathaway. In an unusual collaboration between costume designer and director, the costume inspired much of the script. Anne Hathaway’s dress is a patchwork of drawings and textile printing on unbleached …

Cocoon

Cocoon

‘Insubordinate Costume’ PhD research, workshop with choreographer and dancer Giulia Moroni. Costumes fulfil a fundamental function in the theatre but are frequently taken for granted unless they contravene the expectations of audience or critics. Designs are usually dictated by practicalities, or placed within the confines of text, directorial notions, predefined choreography or the passive function …

Thoughts on the body

Thoughts on the body

What is the body? ‘The human body has the strange quality of being a given. It’s as if the body is so fundamental to our existence that we take it for granted’ writes Chris McAuliffe in the introduction to the exhibition catalogue ‘The body, the ruin’ (Crone, 2005). This may be the case but questions …