If you love Romance Was Born or Galliano-style theatrical designs, what better job than getting 1400 performers stitched into their spangly costumes each night? That’s what Amanda Balins - head of wardrobe for Cirque du Soleil’s current Australian tour,
Dralion - does for a job.
Balins has been with the company for nine and a half years and manages four staff, including two locals, who repair, re-order, measure and launder the costumes late into the night for
Dralion.
"Every night there's a different challenge. There's always a new modification, a new repair. It can be quite high pressure, because when we're here there's always something to do. It's non-stop," she says.
Behind the rehearsal space, where gymnasts are
flipping across the carpet and practicing their point work, it's easy to see how the costumes need so much repair work. And why they must carry at least one replacement. A shipment arrives each month from the manufacturers in Canada, including bigger sizes for growing kids in the show, and replacement and improved designs for the main players.
Of course it's a serious production, but combine the backflipping with the dress-up box feel of the costuming area and the whole place looks like a party. So how can a humble stitcher get a foot in the door?
"It's as important to be a problem solver as a great costumer. I always
look for some backstage experience, but sometimes the right person will
just have a great energy that I know will work well with the team," says Balins.
Despite the demands of the job, she is still excited by the fabrics and materials the designers back in Canada use to make the incredible costumes.
"My favourite is this flame dress (pictured). The spiders are meant to look like metal, but they're cast latex and even the fabric was made for us to look like molten metal."
Ciruqe du Soleil Dralion is at Docklands, until June 14.
Melbourne, April 10 to June 14, 2009