BACARDI

BACARDI are the wardrobe team for The Pantoloons   They are Barbara – Carol – Diana – hence BA-CAR-DI

BACARDI were formed 20 years ago when Barbara hauled Carol and Diana out of a peaceful retirement to source and sew costumes for the Pantoloons and they have not stopped since!  The three of them bring different skills to the trio with Barbara being the overall wardrobe mistress responsible for pulling the whole look together.  Their ingenuity and sewing skills have been tested almost to exhaustion but they have enjoyed (almost) every moment, putting their stamp on the panto.  There is nothing so much fun as the scramble to get a show ready but they do try to organise the costumes and accessorise properly to help the actors with quick changes and multi-characters typical of panto.

BACARDI take their role seriously; studying shows in the professional theatre and exhibitions of costume.  The shared knowledge and experience acquired is invaluable.  These are the styles and tricks – often dyeing, spraying and painting using salvaged materials etc.

They always make sure our costumes are colourful, strong and made to the correct historical period.  They get used to estimating people’s sizing regardless of what they are told they are!  The overall finished ensemble effect and attention to detail with footwear etc. has been as professional as they can make it.  There have been hilarious moments plus last minute headaches for changes and even the urgent need for a new costume just before a show opens!  The cast don’t always put the costumes on correctly – costumes been seen upside down, back to front or even a costume not belonging to their character at all.  Economy has always been of great importance so sourcing fabrics from curtain donations, charity shops and jumble sales has been paramount.  They seldom buy, hire or borrow anything when they are able to construct something themselves.  In this way the profit given to the chosen charities can be maximised.  BACARDI (and The Pantoloons) have so far been happy with their contribution  and it hasn’t stopped yet!