Matilda the Musical
In the summer of 2024, I got the opportunity to be a costume designer intern for ROYAL Theatre Company and make some garments for their next show. ROYAL was doing a production of Matilda the Musical, based on the Netflix movie of the same name, and each garment I made for the show was meant to be as similar as possible to the costumes in the movie.
I got to design and make the stretch velvet bodysuit for The Escapologist character, as well as the capes both him and The Acrobat wear throughout the show. The bodysuit was a challenge, as it was unlike anything I had ever done before, but I came to learn that all it took was starting the project for me to find my way with it. The invisible zipper in the back is covered by the cape, which is made of a black organza cut from a pattern I draped myself. The collar features many red feathers glued on with wires coming out of the top with more feathers for a "larger than life" look that was wanted by the director.
As an intern, I worked 3/4 of the showtimes over three days and was grateful to get to watch the show on the final day. I experienced working behind the scenes of the show like dressing actors and mending any rips or breaks during each production.
Upon liking my work, the director asked me to make her dress for her to wear to announce the show during intermission. She helped me come up with a design she liked, and I flat patterned the entire dress myself. It is made of a charmeuse stretch satin, and features an invisible side zipper.
Show Photos
One garment I got to make for the show was this pair of flared jeans for a "hippie dad" character. I was given the jeans and the material, but I flared the two toned faux suede into four godets on each side of each jean leg. I wanted the flare to be as extravagant as possible, and so I doubled the original width of the jean legs.
