Pictures: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Paul O’Grady’s Miss Hannigan costume from the 1998 West End revival of Annie is among the new acquisitions to feature in a major new display celebrating musicals at the V&A museum.
The popular entertainer’s gift is one of over 100 objects in the Re:Imagining Musicals exhibition in the V&A’s Theatre and Performance galleries.
Open to the public free of charge until 27 November, among the items showcased for the first time at the V&A are new costume acquisitions from Six the Musical, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Company and A Chorus Line.
The eye-catching exhibits also include the the rarely displayed beaded gown designed by Cecil Beaton and worn by Julie Andrews in My Fair Lady at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in 1958; the toy Olaf puppet designed by Christopher Oram from Frozen the Musical and an original poster from the Off-Broadway premiere of Hamilton signed by the cast and creatives.
Commenting on the exhibits, Simon Sladen, senior curator for modern and contemporary theatre and performance, said: “Musicals are one of the most exciting and complex forms of theatre to see and stage. In Re:Imagining Musicals we celebrate the power and skill of creativity, along with the many people who help bring these shows to life for audiences to enjoy night after night. From idea to inception, we can’t wait for visitors to step inside and explore the inspiration, imagination and evolution of musical theatre.”
Highlights of Re:Imagining Musicals also include: Gabriella Slade’s Tony Award-winning costume for Catherine of Aragon in Six; Jamie New’s costume designed by Anna Fleischle for Everybody’s Talking About Jamie; Catherine Zuber’s Tony and Olivier Award-winning ‘Sparkling Diamond’ costume worn by Satine in Moulin Rouge! The Musical; a 1965 original cast recording of Hello Dolly! signed by Carol Channing; Bunny Christie’s Olivier and Critics’ Circle award-winning costume design, model and costume for Rosalie Craig as Bobbie in the 2019 West End revival of Company and Shakespeare’s first folio, which celebrates its 400th anniversary in 2023.
Angela Thomas
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