Mary Stuart Question

[Mr Roxy]

Mary Stuart Question#1

Posted: 5/30/09 at 7:31pm

We loved the show but we were both perplexed by something

Although it was a period piece, there were basically no sets. The odd thing was that the women were all wearing period costumes while all the men were wearing suits & ties.Why not all wear one or the other? It was a bit odd re this mixed costuming

Anyone have any idea or thoughts?

Poster Emeritus

[JeaniusIsMe]

re: Mary Stuart Question#2

Posted: 5/30/09 at 7:44pm

There was an interview with the leading ladies in the playbill when I saw it that said the choice in costuming was to heighten the distinction between powerful men and women- "men in suits have run everything forever." The traditional dress further isolates the women and shows that even as queens they are still set apart from the men around them. Also, they said they had a shoestring budget and it was more financially viable to only have the women in period dress.

[Mr Roxy]

re: Mary Stuart Question#2

Posted: 5/30/09 at 7:49pm

Thanks

It makes sense especially re the budgetary constraints. With the acting, you did not care after 5 minutes or so.

Poster Emeritus

[JeaniusIsMe]

re: Mary Stuart Question#3

Posted: 5/30/09 at 8:56pm

No problem. I definitely agree that the performances are so strong that everything else pretty much fades away. I honestly didn't even realize the different costuming until I read the interview at intermission.

[Scripps2]

re: Mary Stuart Question#4

Posted: 5/31/09 at 3:51am

Maybe my memory is going, but I don't recall the men wearing suits in the West End production.

[Smaxie]

re: Mary Stuart Question#5

Posted: 5/31/09 at 8:30am

They did.

Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.