We’re excited to have Southsea based costume designer Naomi Gibbs return to design our third in house Christmas production. In residence at New Theatre Royal Portsmouth, Naomi works with a team of freelance makers, building costumes for new productions and clients in the entertainment and music industries all year round. In 2009 Naomi set up business ‘Society Belle’ and recently expanded to form a collective of skilled professionals under the name ‘Portsmouth Costumiers’.
Rumour has it that there’s over 120 costumes in this show, how are you and your costume makers getting on?
Luckily, we’re very well organised! I work with Linda Canning, who’s my pattern cutter, and Sandra Reinolde also makes the costumes. We’re all very tired, but very determined and we enjoy our work. I’ve also hired particular pieces which add richness and depth. It’s exciting to have a wonderful mix of characters to clothe.
Could you tell me a bit more about some of the inspirations behind the costume ideas?
We’ve set the musical in 1890s Berlin, so I was inspired by La Belle Epoque, that period just before World War I, a time of peace that had beautiful clothing. I also researched circus in the 1890s, then ramped up the colours and added my own little twist. Each land has its own distinct colour palette and flavour, enhanced by the antique pieces in the show.
What is the appeal of working on The Nutcracker for you?
There’s so much appeal. I love doing a period piece, even though we aren’t always strictly period. It has such gorgeous music, and I enjoy working with Hayley to co-ordinate the costumes with her choreography. The Nutcracker was the first production I saw, when I was about eight, it was an overwhelm of beauty. I love that this version is a musical, people don’t expect that and it’s so fun. I also like that it’s about a girl finding her way, Clara is the hero of the story.
Can you sum up the production in three words?
Sumptuous. Complex. Lavish.
What do you associate with Christmas?
Velvet. Apple cinnamon candles, and company.
If you could choose anything, what would you ask Drosselmeyer to create for you?
A special sewing machine, that will do anything I ask it to. I feed in the drawing and it’s done by morning! The machine could do all the repetitive bits, or when we need multiple pieces of the same. It would be a very old treadle machine, painted with gold curlicues.
See Naomi’s costumes light up the stage in The Nutcracker – A Christmas Musical Spectacular from 13 – 31 December 2019. Click here for more information and for tickets.