Costumes and Settings for Historical Plays: The Medieval Period

This is the second volume in a series of books about costumes and settings for historical plays. The series is intended for all those who are involved with a visual view of history, whether as costume designers, scenic designers, property masters, actors or indeed for those who have an interest in and an enthusiasm for period costumes and settings. Here Jack Cassin-Scott presents the Medieval period which he selected as Early Gothic 1200-1350, Late Gothic 1350-1450, and Renaissance 1450-1550 which, collectively, represent the richest period of costume in European history. In dressing plays, museum quality costumes and settings, films and/or television productions, set in such an age, the costumier has an unrivalled opportunity to create magnificent effects and rich displays of pageantry. It is however stressed that the temptation to over-elaborate should be resisted and that atmosphere and effect should be acheived through reducing particular styles to their essentials and showing the contrast of bold colour and shapes, which suggest authenticity to the costumes really worn, rather than pursuing the fantastic or unrealistic. In this easy to follow plan are appropriate styles of costumes for men, women and children, as well as their hairstyles, jewellery and footwear. The Stage Properties include the armour and arms of soldiers, musical instruments, and accessories of all kinds. The Stage Settings concentrate on the characteristic features of the architecture of the period which, when incorporated into the stage design, with carefully selected lighting effects, can reproduce the correct image and atmosphere for the chosen period in time. A selection of plays, for each period, suitable for the various theatre groups and/or drama class productions is also given, which adds to the usefulness of this indispensable reference book.