by Rachel Pender-Cudlip
Over Cirque Bijou’s 25 year history, we have made a lot of shows. And from these shows, we have amassed a huge array of wonderful costumes. Over the years we’ve had a few attempts at cataloguing and organising. Mitigating factors such as lack of hanging space and time have meant they’ve not quite received the attention they deserve…
Recently we’ve made a concerted effort to resurface hidden gems and reacquaint ourselves with long lost pieces. We’ve been busy sorting through all the shirts, trousers, catsuits, ball gowns, headgear and interesting cloaks – hanging them all up and dusting them all off.
It’s been a mammoth task and an enjoyable journey uncovering specially made items for particular shows.
We wanted to share some favourites with you….
Time Capsule Time
FUSE, 2004-2013
Abby Grewcock created the above costumes for our show FUSE in 2004. This was a high-energy, explosive show with dance, acrobatics, fire, pyrotechnics and aerial performance. The costumes are beautifully made and as durable as you’d expect for such a dangerous show. After hundreds of outings over almost a decade and almost 20 years on, they are still in excellent condition.
Immersive Party, 2022
In 2022 we created an immersive circus show for a private client’s Christmas party. We told the story of an evil old ringmistress called Magpie, who kept a troupe of circus performers trapped within her monochrome world. When she was finally defeated, technicolor was restored! Shooting Flowers made the brilliant costumes for this event – a full monochrome set, and then a complete technicolor makeover.
Battle For The Winds, 2012
The leotard pictured above was one of literally hundreds of costumes designed and created for our show Battle For The Winds. This show launched the Olympic and Paralympic Sailing and Windsurfing events as part of London2012.
The leotard pictured above has been used many times in other shows. Other pieces are more unusual one offs – particular and unique costumes used for specific characters – such as Aeolus, god of the wind, and Doldrum, the rock-dwelling baddie of the piece.
Below are a few examples of these, beautifully illustrated by Arts University Bournemouth students who designed and made all the costumes.
SOURCE 2014
Photos from a touring outdoor project in London in 2014 called Source, in partnership with Nutkhut, reveal another beautifully detailed set of colourful costumes. Together, they create a story – individual characters with their own identity, quirks and agenda.
Photo Credit: Vipol Sangoi, Janet Haines, Penny Piddock, Andre Pattenden, Helen Murray, David Rigler, Flo Fitzgerald