ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY

Other RSC credits:

Stitched in Time(2017)
Stitch in Time (2017)
The Play’s the Thing (2016 to date)
Secrets from The Collection: Seven Ages of Man (2016)
Shakespeare in Ten Acts, British Library (2016)
Shakespeare in Art: Tempests, Tyrants and Tragedy (2016)

‘William Shakespeare’ (2016 – 2017) Mu Xin Art Museum, China

COSTUME MOUNTING | EXHIBITION INSTALLATION | CURRIER TRIP

In 2015, a new museum was opened in honour of the Chinese poet and artist, Mu Xin, in his home town of Wuzhen, two hours from Shanghai. One of the poet’s inspirations was William Shakespeare, and when the RSC loaned a number of its costumes to the museum for an exhibition about the bard, I was sent to ensure the safe transport, unpacking and mounting of the garments.

This was the first time the museum had borrowed costumes, and there was no expertise on-site to create proper mounts for them. Since I was on the spot, I stayed and worked 16-hour days to help adjust the mannequins to display the costumes, some of which were 70 years old. I sourced local suppliers for the mannequins and materials, and developed a work plan and timeline to get the exhibition ready for opening in just a few days.

With limited resources available and a tight deadline looming, I provided the museum team with brief training in costume mounting and cleaning. The display was ready with time to spare and proved to be a huge hit with visitors when it opened in 2016.

Photo Credit: Muxin Art Museum (2016)

RSC’s Collections and Archives

STORAGE IMPROVEMENT PLANNING | COSTUME MOUNTING | EXHIBITION INSTALLATION | SAFE PACKING | CURRIER TRIP | EDUCATION

The RSC’s costume archive spans more than a century of performances. To help the archive in its preservation practices, I developed a storage improvement plan, starting with condition checks and reviews to identify how best to store each garment. Bespoke padded hangers were made to fit the shape of each costume, but many were too delicate, heavy, or fragile for hanging. These had to be stored flat in boxes to retain their shape – a great challenge, such is the variety and complexity of the RSC’s costume collection.

To carry out preventative conservation and sewing, I set up a workroom, and in sourcing materials and equipment I was able to put together a list of approved suppliers. I also left future staff with a handbook with guidance on best-practice packing and hanger-making, so that the good habits I introduced can continue.