THE SWEET SCIENCE OF BRUISING

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COSTUME DESIGNER

The Richard Burton Company

By Joy Wilkinson

Director Joanna Bowman

Set Designer Anna Bradford

Costume Designer Theo Wyatt

Lighting Design Hannah Broman

Production Photographer Kirsten McTernan

''London, 1869. The eccentric Professor Sharp draws four very different Victorian women into the dark underground world of female boxing. Controlled by men and constrained by corsets, each finds an unexpected freedom in the boxing ring. As their lives begin to intertwine, their journey takes us through grand drawing rooms, bustling theatres and rowdy Southwark pubs, where the women fight inequality as well as each other. But with the final showdown approaching, only one can become the Lady Boxing Champion of the World. Joy Wilkinson's play The Sweet Science of Bruising is an epic tale of passion, politics and pugilism.''

- RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT -

While developing the costume designs for this production it was decided that the 'victorian-ness' of the women was essential, though we were not interested in following strict historical recreation, it was important that the costumes set the scene of 1869. We wanted the costumes to explore the ideas of restriction, social conformity, gender, class, and finding freedom. I worked closely with the director (Joanna Bowman) and set designer (Anna Bradford) to create a cohesive piece with a moveable, fast flowing feeling with bold choices and choreography.

- INITIAL RESPONSE-

My initial response to a script is always visual, for The Sweet Science I made a digital mood board on procreate and did fast initial concept costume sketches to get a hold on the feeling of the world and the characters.

- RESEARCH -

Continuing, my research is very visual, starting with general research boards of references in line with the style and tone that was starting to be established.

From that I made each character their own individual research image boards, doing supplementary sketches and references alongside to test concept.

- DEVELOPMENT -

COLOUR CHOICES

DEVELOPMENT SKETCHES

Digitally, Procreate

We decided that the four boxers would be the only characters in colour (purple, green, yellow, red, respectively), while everyone else was in monochromatic black, white, and grey.

Iterative costumes, adding accessories etc. but mainly sticking to the same base layer costume.

In the sourcing and making, I was drawn to rough textures and fabrics.