Transformation.
I smiled at the first year students as they made their way from the back of the stage to the apron. As they walked carefully to avoid stepping over one another, (especially because many of the ladies were in heavy ball gowns), loud whistles could be heard from the crowd.
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Someone was shouting “Long live Queen Charlotte!” Because a light skinned lady was putting on a light blue ball gown with a high necked bodice and a small silver crown which was placed on her rolled up braids. The lady was smiling sheepishly.
When the Next set of first years walked in, most of them were wearing leggings with over sized sweaters over turtle necks while most of the ladies were on short, plain dresses and socks with socks folded at the TOP of the knee.
“What's going on?” My baby sister, Princess, asked. She had come to spend a few days with me as her school was observing their end of semester holiday.
“I think it's a fashion workshop. They're trying to display the costumes of the earlier eras. Don't worry, it will become clearer with time” I said hurriedly so I took could watch the show.
I was correct.
There came another set who were putting on what we knew to be the common outfits in the current day. Tight high waist jeans over crop tops and fancy dinner gowns with heels.
The men were clothed in suits of different fashion. I couldn't get tired of looking at the details on their outfits.
“Theatre ginger!!” A young man called out suddenly from behind the stage.
The crowd unanimously responded with a thunderous “Ginger!”
“Good afternoon my lecturers and distinguished audience. Today, we are here to witness the Transformation of the theatre from the 80s till date. Let's watch keenly, opening our hearts to appreciate the past and cherish the present while we await the future. Ladies and gentlemen, let the show commence!”
There was resounding applause as the young man who was dressed in a large coat with fancy shirt retreated to his place behind the stage.
A young man in black Levi jeans with hair combed back moved upstage, his stance was of one who was focused.
“I am Don Simpson, producer of the “high concept” pictures. Since the implementation of these kinds of pictures which I produced, this method has become the most popular formula for Hollywood blockbuster movies”.
The audience exploded with cheers and applause as he went back to his position. The others on stage were neither Moving not talking. I could understand how it felt to be asked to freeze on stage because in my first year in the Department of Theatre arts, I was instructed to freeze for a great part of the production we had.
It was not an easy task.
One of the first years took the microphone from the guy who just rounded up his speech and began a mock musical. There were ladies behind her in no minute, dancing and responding to her songs.
“Musicals were the pride of the 90s, when I sing la, la, la, my audience may go ha, ha, haaaaa” she sang, her voice was magically soothing.
When she was done presenting, another guy came upstage introducing himself as Christopher Durang, one of the greatest playwrights of the 80s.
The guy who had opened the show returned immediately the guy playing Christopher Durang withdrew from the front of the stage.
Like always, he was taking his time. This time though, he changed his costume from his coat to a vintage graphic t-shirt and baggy jeans with Doc Martens boots.
“Ladies and gentlemen you've heard them. This is closing the bridge between the old era and the new one in the theatre. Because no matter how these styles go out of vogue, they resurface later in future”
I nodded and paid attention as he moved down from the stage and moved in between us, his audience members.
“No matter where the actor goes, he is an actor, he does not change, and so it is for the theatre too. So let us not be afraid to delve into the past if we gain inspiration from there….” He walked up to a lecturer, “Be it the fashion from the 80s, or the innovation from the 90s, you are in the theatre and there will you remain, a proud son of Thespis!”
The entire audience were on their feet as he finished speaking and gave a bow. I was intrigued at how much I had learnt about the 90s and 80s Theatre that I began picturing myself in ball gowns and short, pretty dresses.
“Sis? It's time to go” Princess said. I nodded and walked with her, taking the dreamy aura of the 80s with me.
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