Final Production Meeting, Set and Dress Parade.

We had a very short production meeting as everything is prepared and ready for the dress parade and in terms of the set, the technical rehearsals. The dress parade went really well and it was very good to have a chance to see all the actors and actresses in costume together. This helped me to see if any costumes didn't fit with the whole ensemble, that the colour palette was good and if any costumes needed adjustments or additions. My notes from the parade were:

• Prioress: Needs a slip and a thin leather belt with a crucifix hanging from it rather than beads all the way round. This may break with all the movements they have to do.
• Wife of Bath: Turn around belt so the lacing is at the front. Give the costume a more worn look. The bloomers appear french, cover lace. Bigger purse.
• Alison/Pilgrim: Channel in her apron pocket added for her recorder, slip and elastic in her shoes.
• Pilgrim/Miller's Wife: White tights, black petticoat, tippets dipped down in colour.
• Pilgrim/Emilee: Add belt decorated with same braid used on cuffs and collars. Garland, make for Emilee and hang on the set for her to take.
• Chaucer: Hem needs adjusting and add a black scarf, looked a bit bare without.
• Host: Break down more and add belt loops.
• Knight: Make the fabric around his hat longer and red gloves needed.
• Squire: No gloves, not suitable for the amount of sword fighting he is doing.
• Yeoman: Cut line of t shirt so it doesn't show.
• Monk: Good.
• Reeve: Break down blue cape and hat.
• Miller: Loosen hood so beard can stick out more.
• Cook: Brown hat added and add a scarf? Apron more greasy.
• Man of Law: Trousers too long. Good.
• Nun's Priest: Good, pouch for recorder to be added.
• ASMs: Good.
• Weeping Queens: Good.
• Knight's Tale: Coverings need washing and pressing.
• Miller's Tale: Carpenter needs an apron. I decided to change this from my design and make it a full body one similar in shape to the one they had been using in rehearsals so it is really easy for the actors to use the new apron and doesn't affect how they have been rehearsing the change.
• Reeve's Tale: Good.
• Man of Law's Tale: King Aella- cut crown. Young Knight: Cut cape. Counsellors use fabric as headdresses.
• Shipman's Tale: Good.
• Prioress's and Nun's Priest's Tale: Complete puppets and headdresses.

I am really pleased with how the dress parade went and it's helped me to think more in depth about my design choices.

 Trying out the Sultan's headdress, I like it like this but with less fabric hanging down.

 Adjusting the puppets and giving more fabric around the head so there is more room for the hand. After this we added the bodies.

 Making a saw for the Jewish Cut Throat. I made it bold so that you could see it from a distance. I tested this in the dress rehearsal and it was visible.

Breaking down the Prioress' lapdog using Fuller's earth, paint and by cutting in to it and sewing parts differently, particularly the ears and the brow.
Before

 After