Member Article

Behind the Seams exhibition to bring iconic costumes of the large and small screens to Preston Park Museum

Preston Park Museum is bringing an exclusive handpicked collection of costumes from some of the large and small screen’s best known and most loved productions in its exciting exhibition, Behind the Seams.

The exhibition, which opens on Saturday 22 December 2018 and runs until Sunday 3 March 2019, provides a glimpse into the world of costume design and explores the story behind Angels Costumes, the world’s longest established and largest professional costume house.

Visitors to the Behind the Seams exhibition will be able to view 35 costumes up close, some are originals worn by the stars and others are exact replicas of the original designs. Hollywood and TV blockbusters featured includes Dr Who, Game of Thrones, Peaky Blinders, The Crown, Bohemian Rhapsody, Downton Abbey, Poldark, Disney’s The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Shakespeare in Love, Memoirs of a Geisha, Cleopatra and Titanic.

Highlights of the exclusive exhibition include the stunning Coronation dress worn by Claire Foy in the TV series The Crown, a costume worn by Aidan Turner in Poldark, Harrison Ford’s iconic Indiana Jones costume, Tom Baker’s Dr Who costume and the memorable Batman and Robin costume from Only Fools and Horses.

Angels has been providing costumes to the stage and screen for seven generations since 1840 and its name has been sewn into thousands of costumes worn by some of the most iconic stars of the cinema and TV. Dubbed the world’s greatest costume house, Angels have supplied costumes to 37 films that went on to receive the Academy Award for Best Costume Design. In 2016, Angels received a BAFTA for its Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema.

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Arts, Leisure and Culture, Councillor Norma Wilburn, said: “We’re extremely excited to be hosting such a fantastic and extensive exhibition showcasing some of the amazing costumes from The Crown, Downton Abbey and Poldark, along with many others from top TV shows and films.

“Visitors to Behind the Seams will have a unique chance to view these costumes and see some of the incredible detail up close.

“Given the popularity of these much-loved TV shows and films, we’re expecting a high level of interest in this exhibition. We’re hoping there will be a real buzz about Behind the Seams, and no doubt it will generate lots of conversation about the most memorable costumes of all time.”

Behind the Seams is expected to be very popular so early booking is recommended for the exhibition. Tickets cost £5 for adults and £3 for concessions in addition to the normal admission prices for Preston Park Museum, but children under 16 go free. Advance tickets are available to book now.

A selection of VIP Tea and Tour days will also be taking place in January and February. Tickets cost £18 per person and include a guided tour of the exhibition as well as an opportunity to delve in to the museum’s vast collection of over 3,000 costumes, telling the story of fashion through the ages. Afterwards, guests can enjoy cream tea and a glass of fizz in the Winter Garden.

Behind the Seams will be open to visitors from 10am - 4pm (with last admission at 3.30pm) from Tuesdays - Sundays from 22 December 2018 to 3 March 2019. Preston Park Museum & Grounds is closed on Mondays (except during school holidays) and on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sarah Banks .