costume

In combination with other aspects, theatrical costumes can help actors portray characters' age, gender role, profession, social class, personality, and even information about the historical period/era, geographic location and time of day, as well as the season or weather of the theatrical performance. Often, stylized theatrical costumes can exaggerate some aspect of a character; for example Harlequin and Pantaloon in the traditional commedia dell'arte. In certain cases, duplicates of the same stage clothes are prepared for a production, such as when performing in stunts involving bullet hit squibs. Usually, in costume, historical accuracy is combined with a certain vision. The character that the costumer is dressing is also an important aspect, and a lot of the time the attitudes of the character is not exactly in line with the time period. For example, they may be more bright and colorful, or they may be more dull. A movie or stage production which emphasize the use of correct clothes and settings for a specific time period is called a costume drama. Stage clothes often follow the evolving fashion but in a more extravagant way. Clothes worn by popular performers can often spark new fashions by themselves, as fans of performers want to look like their idols.

• Illustration — Shakespearean actor in fencing stance • Illustration — Actor in Elizabethan costume with tunic, medallion, and cape • Illustration — Kate Josephine Bateman in costume. • Illustration — An opera singer in a production of Tosca • Illustration — Liberace was well known for his extravagant stage clothes