Dressing the Pageanteers: The Local People and Theatre Professionals who Costumed Edwardian Historical Pageants

Abstract

The craze for historical pageants staged in Britain by local communities at the beginning of the twentieth century stimulated a widespread public engagement with historical costume. As well as thousands of performers, and tens of thousands of spectators, pageants involved hundreds of local people in sewing parties who spent months making the costumes required for these outdoor re-enactments of episodes of local history. This article investigates how pageant costumes were designed, made or sourced, on the large scale required, and the cost implications this involved. Whilst costume designers were acknowledged, the employment of professional dressmakers and milliners often necessary to complete the work received less recognition. Florence Edwards, a professional theatrical dressmaker, is one of the few who can be identified. The role of the London theatrical costumier Willie Clarkson, a supplier to many pageants, is also examined. During pageant preparations, local people actively researched dress history, and in the case of Emily Ashdown her interest led to a lifelong career as a dress historian.