The School For Scandal

Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Costume Designer, Maker and Wardrobe Mistress

director Heather and Mike Harrison

Stamford Shakespeare Company

selected photographs by Larry Wilkes and Paul Moth

The outrageous clothes, enormous wigs, and fashion accessories of the period may appear grotesque. However, in this production they are not just historically accurate but harmoniously designed and pleasing on the eye. Particularly spectacular is Lady Sneerwell played by Nicola Dickie, decked out in a three-cornered hat, cravat, red jacket, and huge black skirt. As Lady Teazle, Kathryn Wanless is dressed in ravishing gowns of pinks and white, and Steph Collins as Maria wears mainly blue. While for the costume designer Miriam Spring Davies no praise is too high.

Joe Conway
Review for Peterborough Telegraph

‘Both Joseph (secretly) and Charles (openly) desire her as a wife, as does the breathtakingly extravagantly dressed Sir Benjamin Backbite, supported by his equally stunningly dressed uncle Crabtree. The entrance of Sir Benjamin played wonderfully by Sandy Thompson, and Crabtree, played up to the hilt by Andrew Gosling, make the audience gasp in delight. They epitomise the macaroni men of the period, dressed in outrageous fashion, powered and coloured wigs, face powder, rouge, and shoes with buckles and bows. Crabtree does not walk so much as totter rapidly…The wardrobe department deserve special mention for the stunning historically accurate costumes, designed by Miriam Spring Davies. Another professionally produced and highly enjoyable production’

Janet Smith
Sardines Review

‘Congratulations on The School for Scandal which I saw on Saturday. It was one of the best productions I can remember at Tolethorpe, and definitely the best-dressed! As well as the amazing costumes which I mentioned at length in my review, the diction and projection of the actors was stunning!’

Joe Conway
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