Mystery Plays Costume Appeal

Wed 22 Feb 2012

With two casts of 300, the Mystery Plays have many people to costume – and we need your help!

The challenge has been set across Yorkshire; with two casts of 300 people, the Mystery Plays production team needs to find a lot of costumes, so we are calling on the good people of the region to raid their wardrobes, attics and garages.

Original or authentic looking clothing and apparel from the 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s is required in the 2012 production. All donations will be gratefully received from suits to skirts, gaiters to gloves and everything in between. So if you have a First World War uniform or a 1950s dress, please let us know.

Mystery Plays Costume Designer, Anna Gooch, explained: “Even if the items are in need of repair or are stained, we’re interested! The eras of rationing and making-do and mending are particularly interesting to us. Men’s suits, women’s tea dresses, hats, gloves and handbags. Army, Navy, RAF uniforms… think Dad’s Army, Vera Drake or Call The Midwife. If you’re not sure it’s right – bring it along anyway! Donations will make an enormous difference to the project and we can’t wait to see what the wardrobes of York contain!”

Simply bring your donations to York Theatre Royal at any time or to one of our drop-off points on 3rd March between 10am – 4pm. We have teamed up with our friends at York’s Friargate Theatre, West Yorkshire Playhouse, The Georgian Theatre Richmond and Harrogate Theatre who will be happy to receive your items of vintage clothing and accessories.

Remember though we will not be able to return any donations so if you have your Grandmother's dress that has great sentimental value then please keep hold of it – but bring anything else you may have!