They’re just some tools of the trade the costume team is using to create the right look for the upcoming production of Taree Arts Council’s Les Misérables.

The talcum powder, dirt and sandpaper are being used to age clothing, while tea or coffee is used to make clothing appear dirty.

“We also use a bit of oil to make people look like they’re sweating,” said costume co-ordinator Lea Young. “We painted some of the chain gang costumes and they stood up on their own. I’m rubbing them together to soften them up.”

With almost 1000 pieces of clothing to repurpose, source or make, Lea has enlisted the help of 19 people to bring it together.

Some of those costumers, Jill Illidge, Marilyn Crozier, Mary Pertzel, Diana Gilbert, Jan Wood and Maureen Mears, have been working on shows with her for 10 years or more.

Planning started in February, even before there was a cast to dress.

Lea and Jill spent half a day with director Gayle Cameron to watch videos and find and document inspiration and examples of looks they wanted to recreate.

“I do everything Gayle tells me,” said Lea. “We have our bounce offs… but she’s involved in everything, even down to the sets and music.”

Dressing the cast of 44, who have numerous costume changes between them, is no small task and there are many factors to consider.

The show’s characters include poor people, factory workers, children, a chain gang, prostitutes, beggars, students, townspeople, wedding guests and more.

Once Lea knows who is in each scene the search starts for suitable clothing.

It begins in the Taree Arts Council costume department, seeing what is already there that can be used.

Then there are visits to op shops and multiple trips to theatre groups in Port Macquarie and Gosford to see what they could borrow.

“There’s multiple trips because it’s not just seeing what they’ve got, you’ve got to have your colour set on stage,” said Jill.

“I can’t do that until the first dress rehearsal,” added Lea. “You might have to take off that colour because it’s no good, or there’s all one colour on one side of the stage.

“We’ve had to get lots made this time, and do altering,” said Lea, who does the drop-offs and pick-ups from her team members.

For this show the ensemble members, where possible, have one outfit and extra pieces such as a vest or hat or apron that cast members would take off and swap with something else.

Making time to fit costumes can be a challenge. “To get them on rehearsal night is near impossible for a lot of people,” said Lea.

Jill has made the costumes for her husband Rod, who plays Javert, as well as Tim Gibbs, who plays Jean Valjean.

“I take photos and video of them so they can see what the costume looks like on them. Then I might find out they need a pocket to put something in, or they have a quick change and need velcro instead of buttons,” Jill said.

“We have to be careful with velcro,” added Lea. “If they are mic’d and the microphone is on when they do their change it can rip through the theatre.”

Hairstyles, wigs and hats are taken into account with costuming, especially if the performer has a quick change.

What the performer has to do in each scene also has to be considered. For example there are triple seams in pants for fight scenes.

While the show is happening on stage there will be someone backstage to patch costumes if needed. Five dressers as well as cast members will help others with quick changes.

The job isn’t over when the curtain falls on the final performance either.

“We wash everything. We take back what was borrowed. They all have to be labelled to know where it goes,” said Lea.

The rest is packed in boxes to be taken to the laundromat at a later date for washing before Lea hangs them out at home to dry.

Taree Arts Council first enlisted Lea to co-ordinate costumes for Taree Arts Council when they did Les Misérables back in 1995 and she has been involved in many shows since.

Les Misérables is on at the Manning Entertainment Centre between November 2 and 18. Tickets from www.themec.com.au, phone 6592 5466, or at the customer service desk at Stockland Forster.

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