The Season for Dreaming

Masquerade! Take your fill, let the spectacle astound you!

operafantomet:

Christine’s original Masquerade costume. 

At first glance very different from the current Star Princess costume - but not really, if you look closer at it. The corseted, sleeveless bodice with vertical seams, the ruffled V shaped collar and “puffed sleeves”, the knee-length bell shaped skirt, the mask on stick - those are elements kept in the revamped design. 

What IS different, though, is how much stiffer the skirt was, with a partly exposed crinoline fundament, and the apron drape in front, and also decorated with pompons throughout. And of course the colours, but that goes without saying…

The accessories are also different - a tricorn hat with feathers,  a lace choker, white stockings and white high heeled buckle shoes. 

The original dress is referred to as white, but was made of of a shimmering silverish white fabric decorated with white lace and black piping. The costume was, as far as I know, never used other places than the original West End production, and it was in use there until late 1987. 

By accident the costume design came my way earlier this year. It was used on a Phantom quilt fabric licensed by RUG. The designs printed on it had gotten new colours, none of them matched Bjørnson’s original design, and this one was featured in yellow with red pompons and red hair. I believe the original would have featured a black and white dress and Christine with brown hair. The design also features elbow length sleeves with engageants, I don’t think this was ever tried out on stage. 

1. Claire Moore photographed for the “Costume Bible” in 1986, 
2. Steve Barton and Rebecca Caine in 1987, 
3. Michael Ball and Rebecca Caine in 1987, 
4. Maria Kesselman in 1987, 
5. Maria Bjørnson’s costume design from a quilt fabric, 
6. Maria Kesselman in 1987, 
7. Claire Moore in 1987, 
8. Sarah Brightman and Steve Barton in 1986, 
9. Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford in 1986. 

operafantomet:

Details from Maria Bjørnson’s “Star Princess” costume: 

1. Beading (US version) 
2. Bust decoration (UK version) 
3. Beading (Danish version) 
4. Sequined stars (US version) 
5. Galvanized stars (German version, used throughout Europe) 
6. Stars upon stars (new Aussie/World Tour version) 
7. Giant tiara (old Danish version) 
8. Closeup of boots (German version) 
9. Star Princess mask (Danish version) 

One night each year, all Paris mingled, forgetful of caste—the merry, mad Bal Masque de l’Opera.

The first time I saw The Phantom of the Opera live. I don’t remember having a Playbill from this…? Maybe I didn’t get one? The show was in previews. But you’d think they’d have Playbills before programs.

I saw Brent Barrett and Elizabeth Loyacano.