SCENERY PAINTING FOR THE AMATEUR MUSICAL THEATRE and PANTOMIME
"Sleepover Planet" Costumes for Night Creatures
This page was last updated on
08-Jun-2007

These creatures are obviously the rustic humour in the Musical- rather like Bottom and his friends in "A Midsummer's Night Dream" - what were they called? The "rude mechanicals"?

There's a couple of problems with these beasties.

Judging by their names, they would appear to be not your usual night-garden-creatures, but something more symbolic and alien. Yet we can't make them too alien ('single eye on a stalk' sort of thing) otherwise they will look too - alien!

And secondly, again judging by their names, they would appear to be slimy creatures. All I can think of at the moment is Latex rubber (One trade name is 'Copydex') Carpet layers buy this wholesale in 5 ltr. containers - which is where I buy mine, for working with my canvas stage scenery. Latext could be spread over masks to make weird globular shapes.

SIMPLEST. Easiest and simplest costume would be - Black Balaclava, Black Bin Bag, Black Gloves and Boppers. With the face perhaps painted green, the child's eyes "enlarged" and don't forget the orange peel teeth ->>
 
THE MONK'S COWL for want of a better description.

Material - Ideally heavy back material.

Perhaps there could be a black net panel in the "front" through which the child could see (and be heard) Maybe have their face painted black so as not to be seen through the net..

They could sway back and forth (like an elephant) Would be weird and unsettling.

Moving about will drag the stuffed tail along behind in a satisfying slimy manner - especially if the material is very heavy.

The person's hands don't have to necessarily touch the ground . It would be hard on the back - but they're young and supple! And each performer is not on stage for long.

MASKS. A half mask is more suitable as it will not obstruct the mouth
A material mouse mask.
Why is one ear bigger than the other?
Here's a suggestion for a papier mâché mask. Don't make the proboscis too heavy otherwise the mask will tip forward. PATRICK The child is my grandson. So snf.

MULTI-LEGS

And if making a multi-legged creature, link the legs together with thin cord or wire so they follow each other in a ripple as the actor moves his/her arms.

DAMIEN Crying out for animation but I don't have the time.
A BASIC BAT
And a BASIC BAT MASK
I am calling this one "GREEN TIGHTS"
  • Long sleeved green jumper which covers the hands
  • A stuffed tail tied onto the waist
  • Green tights
  • A painted striped chest piece (No need for it to go all the way around)
  • Eye holes cut in the black-painted pupils in the mask.

DRAGONFLY
Framework for the four wings could be made from bamboo; willow; or stiff wire.The membrane could be a thin gauze (net curtains?)

Back wings suspended from shoulder straps.
Front wings attached to the arms with a band at the elbow which in turn is held to rods placed across the framework, and the child also holds onto rods placed across the framework.

Costume could be a green "T" shirt or tank top; white sleeves and black tights.

"Eyes" black ear-muffs covered in shiny black plastic?

Antennae. Yes I know dragonflies don't have antennae but they look nice
 
PUSS MOTH LAVA (CATERPILLAR)

The child could hold their elbows to their side and just use the hands and wrists to be inside one set of "legs"

Perhaps pack the "rings" with polystyrene, or long sausage balloons?

COMMON-OR-GARDEN NIGHT CREATURE.

"Tatty" grey material overlaid with torn ribbons of dark green.

Long nails and gloves from Fancy Dress shop?

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