Acting in Period Costume

Costume is a vital element in helping an actor to progress with their part and it has a big impact upon performance. What we wear affects the way we move, breathe, and in some cases speak, so the correct costume helps an actor polish their performance and find detail in characterization. When we talk about period costumes, we are referring to costumes from a particular era in history.

The accuracy and detail of the period costume within a show is decided upon by the production team. Some costumiers will replicate period dress down to the finest detail, while others will produce a modern “version” of the garment that allows for more movement, singers to breathe deeply etc. However, it is important that all period costume is a truthful representation of the historical era. This guide will identify some of the most common items of period costume worn on stage and explore how they affect an actor’s movement, posture, and personal space.

Terminology

• Breeches: An early form of trouser which usually cuts off just below the knee.
• Cape: A sleeveless outer garment that connects at the neck and drapes over one’s back, arms, and chest.
• Corset: An underwear garment which creates a silhouette by cinching in the waist.
• Elizabethan: Referring to the period when Queen Elizabeth I sat on the English throne (1558-1603).
• Georgian: A period in British history named after the Hanoverian Kings George I, George II, George III, and George IV (1714 - 1847).
• Farthingale: A hooped skirt worn by women in the Tudor period.
• Tailcoat: A knee-length coat with a rear section of cut away “skirt”, known as the “tails”.
• Victorian: Referring to the period when Queen Victoria reigned as monarch of Great Britain and Ireland (1819-1901).
• Victorian Crinoline: A sprung steel cage to create an ample, bell-shaped skirt.