David’s Costumes for sale

Jan 29 2011 by Kenneth Speirs, Paisley Daily Express

FANS of Paisley actor David Tennant are being offered the chance to snap up some special memorabilia after bosses at the Royal Shakespeare Company revealed they are to sell off some of his most famous costumes.

The RSC has put an extraordinary 10,000 items, including costumes, shoes, hats and accessories, up for sale at its rehearsal room in Stratford-upon-Avon.

And that will include numerous items worn by talented Buddie David when he starred in the company’s 2008 staging of Love’s Labours Lost.

The garments in the sale were made by the world-renowned RSC costume department and have been chosen from its costume store.

Amongst the other items for sale are soldiers’ tabards and chain-mail from the RSC’s 1984 production of Henry V, which starred Kenneth Branagh, and were later seen in Mel Gibson’s blockbuster film Braveheart.

Also up for grabs are a light blue 18th century waistcoat worn by Charles Dance in As You Like It, a velvet regency cutaway coat worn by Sir Ben Kingsley and a selection of shirts worn by Sir Ian McKellen in The Seagull, as well as his over-robe from King Lear.

Alistair McArthur, head of costumes at the RSC, has had the task of going through every costume to select those items that will go into the sale.

He said: “Looking through the wealth of costumes stored in the RSC costume store has taken weeks of work.

“It’s a mammoth task, with each of the 40,000 garments held there having to be assessed and reviewed by the RSC team.

“We have items for sale from every area of the wardrobe, including costumes that first made their debut on stage back in the 1970s and 80s.

“The sale will include costumes designed by top theatre designers like Deirdre Clancy and our own Olivier Award-winning Tom Piper.

“With many items starting at just £3, we hope that people will take the opportunity to come along and purchase a piece of theatre history.”

The sale, which takes place at the RSC’s rehearsal rooms in Arden Street in Stratford-upon-Avon will be open to members of the public and takes place on Saturday, February 12, from 10am to 5pm.