Horowhenua StarA Levin woman’s incredible talent for turning unloved everyday items into majestic stage costumes has been recognised with a major award.
Cherie Bailey, a retired nurse, has been sewing costumes at Levin Little Theatre for 15 years. Her work last year in helping dress casts for both Blackadder and Alice in Cuckoo Land productions has won her the Costume Design title at the Manawatū Regional Theatre Awards.
Cherie Bailey, who can make gowns fit for a queen.
Photo Paul Williams
And she’s been doing it all on a shoestring, sourcing fabric from unwanted duvets, tables cloths, curtains – anything that can be repurposed.
“Fabric can be so expensive, so that’s what we do,” she says.
Not that you would know any different. The results are a stunning array of gowns, suits and costumes that add to a large costume collection upstairs at the theatre that are available for hire at weekends.
She was introduced to the Little Theatre group by husband Bob who has a passion for stage acting, and found she could put her talents to use, too.
“I do it because I enjoy it. It’s all for love. It’s community theatre,” she says.
Cherie is given creative licence and mixes imagination with her experience working in factories in the UK making suits and children’s clothes to often outfit entire ensembles, with the help of others.
Theatre secretary Belinda Chainey says behind the scenes work is a vital part of any production and it’s great to see volunteers getting the accolades they deserve.
Meanwhile, it was perhaps no surprise to see talented comedian and thespian Reon Materman win the Character Award for his role in Alice in Cuckoo Land.
The future of theatre looks bright. Myah Snow from Horowhenua Young Persons Entertainment for The Spongebob Musical Youth Edition, and junior actors Olive Davies and Matthew McCardle, won awards for Alice in Cuckoo Land.
The awards covered 25 productions from theatres that entered from Palmerston North, Foxton, Levin, Pahiatua, Dannevirke and Whanganui.
Costume hire at Levin Little Theatre is open every Saturday between 10am and noon.
OTHER STORIES
... loading ...
