Castle St Plymouth PL1 2NJ Tel : 01752 267131 Fax : 01752 222209 info@barbicantheatre.co.uk
www.barbicantheatre.co.uk
Costume Designer/Maker Brief: ‘A Blast from the Past …. And Back Again’
‘A Blast from the Past …. And Back Again’ is the working title of a heritage
interpretation project led by young people. It focuses on the Grade 2 listed Elizabethan
House, 32 New Street, The Barbican and the extraordinarily rich, diverse and
internationally significant historic harbour area of Plymouth, within which it sits.
The social roots of the area can be demonstrated by important Bronze Age finds across
the harbour from the Barbican and the stories of human association with the area can
be mapped through a myriad of dramas through the ages involving extraordinary and
iconic figures such as Sir Francis Drake, Catherine of Aragon, Pocohontas, Captain
Cook, Ernest Shackleton and the Tolpuddle Martyrs.
In the late 1500’s Plymouth was a prosperous port bursting with ships, crew, foreign
privateers, merchants and craftsmen. An increased need for housing saw the
development of New Street – the properties of which were built for the middle
merchants and sea captains whose livelihoods were based around the seafront.
New Street is first mentioned in 1584 and is described as “ Sperkes newe
streat…paved, leading towards the new key”. Sperke’s is a reference to John Spark,
Mayor of Plymouth in 1583 and 1591. He came from a family of merchants and was a
friend of Sir Francis Drake. At that time it would have been adjacent to the harbour wall
and integrally linked to all the business of the Barbican area. Merchants may have sat in
the parlour window to watch their goods arrive and carried the short distance to the
basement doors.
The Elizabethan House is one of the oldest buildings in the City surviving slum
clearance in the early 1900’s as a rare example of its time. The House has witnessed
the history of the City for over 500 years yet it is rarely visited and not easy to find.
‘A Blast from the Past …. And Back Again’ will culminate with is a devised
contemporary theatrical intervention titled ‘The Spice Box’, that will start on the
Barbican and promenade its way to the House for an intimate household experience.
We expect to attract theatre goers, heritage audiences, tourists and young people and
bring new audiences to the House. There will be a digital legacy project which is
targeted to reach 7,000 people through the Barbican Theatre website, 50,000 people
through the Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery website and 500 young people in
Massachusetts USA as the beginning of a creative exchange programme.
Rent a Role Drama Service trading as Barbican Theatre Plymouth Registered England & Wales No 2323701 Registered Charity No 801689
Castle St Plymouth PL1 2NJ Tel : 01752 267131 Fax : 01752 222209 info@barbicantheatre.co.uk
www.barbicantheatre.co.uk
About The Management Team
The Management Team will be made up of the Project Director and the Project
Manager. This project will investigate a partnership between the Barbican Theatre and
Plymouth City Museum & Art Gallery which will inform how young people, and new and
emerging artists can become skilled interpreters. Findings delivered through an in-depth
evaluation of the process and product will also support the Activity Plan for the new
International History Centre which will open in 2020. This project will provide firm
evidence for creative interpretation in the Centre with potential for City-wide heritage
interpretation activity.
The Creative Delivery Team will be led by Mark Laville, Lead Creative Practitioner, and
will be responsible for the artistic quality of the project.
Costume Designer/Maker
The Costume Designer/Maker will work in close collaboration with the Creative
Practitioner, Associate Creative Producer and Production Manager and young people to
design and make costume for the interpretation. The costumes must faithfully reflect the
ideas of young people and be delivered in conjunction with them. The Costume
Designer/maker is expected to be a member of the delivery team, attend meetings,
undertake research and liaise with PCMAG specialists to support the process when
required to do so. The Costume Designer/maker will work closely with the Project
Director and Production Manager to ensure that costumes are historically accurate and
the highest possible standard of quality. The Costume Designer/maker must work to
deadlines agreed with the management team and work to an agreed budget as
negotiated by with Project Manager.
Timescales:
Mid Feb 2015.
Production opens as part of History Month in Plymouth May 30th 2015, and closes July
31st 2015.
Rent a Role Drama Service trading as Barbican Theatre Plymouth Registered England & Wales No 2323701 Registered Charity No 801689
Castle St Plymouth PL1 2NJ Tel : 01752 267131 Fax : 01752 222209 info@barbicantheatre.co.uk
www.barbicantheatre.co.uk
There will be 10 days of performances and 20 shows. Duration approximately 45 -60
minutes.
Timeline:
April 20: Research of costume design ideas completed
April 30: Costume design finalised. Final rehearsal script/text available
May 1st: Concentrated rehearsal process begins, gather of set, props, lighting, sound &
costume design and make
May 20: All costume finalised and delivered
May 23rd/24th: Dress & Technical rehearsals
From May 30th: ‘The Spice Box’ opens
10 performance days with 2 shows per day (each lasting between 45– 60 minutes)
Confirmed Performance Dates:
Saturday 30th May
Sunday 31st May
Saturday 27th June
Saturday 4th July
Saturday 11th July
Saturday 18th July
Saturday 25th July
Sunday 26th July
All shows at 2.00pm & 4.00pm
Plus four performances TBC
August: Evaluation & Feedback
Fee: £3,000
Costume budget: £1,500 (Fixed Fee)
Rent a Role Drama Service trading as Barbican Theatre Plymouth Registered England & Wales No 2323701 Registered Charity No 801689
Castle St Plymouth PL1 2NJ Tel : 01752 267131 Fax : 01752 222209 info@barbicantheatre.co.uk
www.barbicantheatre.co.uk
Application Process
All applicants must submit a completed Application Form, along with examples of your work
(no more than two sides of A4) – CVs will not be accepted. Please submit your application
form by one of the following methods:
By Email:
By Post:
info@barbicantheatre.co.uk
Dan Baker, Barbican Theatre, Castle Street, Plymouth, PL1 2NJ
If you require further information, please call Dan Baker on 01752 267131 or email
info@barbicantheatre.co.uk
Please note: Interviews will be held on Friday 6th March 2015
THE DEADLINE FOR RECEIVED APPLICATIONS IS:
12pm, Friday 27th February 2015
Rent a Role Drama Service trading as Barbican Theatre Plymouth Registered England & Wales No 2323701 Registered Charity No 801689