Abstract
This chapter illuminates the important function which stage costumes can play in what Marvin Carlson termed ‘ghosting.’ Having established the role of costumes as ‘carriers of identity’ and ‘memory’ it considers why and how performers might deliberately reference their own past roles by re-creating, or alluding to costumes which reference a previous performance, or a specific aspect of their celebrity.
Through the close analysis of specific examples from the wardrobe of celebrated Victorian actress, Dame Ellen Terry (1847-1928), it highlights the degree to which costumes are haunted by ‘ghosts’ of ‘performers’ and ‘performances’ both during the lifetime of their original wearer(s), and after their death.
Through the close analysis of specific examples from the wardrobe of celebrated Victorian actress, Dame Ellen Terry (1847-1928), it highlights the degree to which costumes are haunted by ‘ghosts’ of ‘performers’ and ‘performances’ both during the lifetime of their original wearer(s), and after their death.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Performance Costume |
Subtitle of host publication | New Perspectives |
Editors | Sofia Pantouvaki, Peter McNeil |
Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
Chapter | 6 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781350098800 |
Publication status | Published - 20 Aug 2020 |
Keywords
- Costume
- Ghosting
- Theatre
- material culture
- Identity
- Performance
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Dive into the research topics of 'Costumes Centre Stage: 'Re-membering' Ellen Terry'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Profiles
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Veronica Isaac
- School of Humanities and Social Science - Senior Lecturer
- Centre for Design History
Person: Academic