Designing for period plays: Challenges and opportunities for the costumier of Androcles and the lion

Abstract

The pleasurable spectacle in theatrical performances is one to behold by audiences. Undoubtedly, the cast and crew have to work assiduously to achieve this. Admittedly, designers play key roles in realizing the visual panorama in theatrical productions. It is the responsibility of theatrical designers to interpret the playwright’s literal ideas into visual concrete form. Among these designers is the costume designer who is responsible for designing and constructing costumes and also see to it that actors are properly costumed to reflect the mood of the production. However, opportunities and challenges of costumiers especially as they relate to period plays are in most cases swept under the carpet. This paper therefore brings to light, some opportunities and challenges in costuming the period play, Androcles and the Lion