Something old and something new

A pristine white dress destined never to be worn by a blushing bride hangs dutifully beside a slightly yellowed 1920s gown that was worn once then stored in a dark, dusty cupboard for decades. Like all wedding dresses, both have a unique story to tell.

These bridal frocks and many others will feature dramatically in the USQ production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Queens Park this Spring.

With the major preparations for this year’s Shakespeare in the Park Festival well underway, Toowoomba residents are invited to donate their wedding gowns – modern or vintage, but particularly vintage - in the name of theatre art.

As part of the set planned for the October production, a five-metre-high orchid will be assembled from wedding dresses to symbolise the very essence of the Shakespearean play – true love.

This original concept is the brainchild of Director Scott Alderdice and Designer Carolyn Taylor-Smith.

Mr Alderdice said close to 60 wedding gowns, some intricate and more than 90 years old, would reveal their 'stories' in a poignant way.

'The play is all about the search for love, and the search for the ideal partner,' Mr Alderdice said. 'And what better way to project this search for love than through the wedding dress, a symbol of love through the ages that the modern audience can relate to, fashioned to resemble the flower that is pierced by Cupid’s bow?'

Ms Taylor-Smith said the gowns would be painstakingly built onto bird netting over many hours, resulting in a visually stunning display.

'The aim is to make the dresses flow and unfurl like petals during the performance,' she said. 'There will also be bridal veils and bouquets incorporated into the design.'

Ms Taylor-Smith, a former bridal gown designer, said donations of wedding dresses in bridal whites and creams would be most welcome.

'We need around 60 dresses to make the flower, and these don’t need to be in perfect condition,' she said. 'If people have interesting stories about their wedding dress we’d love to record those stories as well.'

Donations can be made by contacting Ms Taylor-Smith on 4631 1019 or artsworx@usq.edu.au

Part of USQ’s Shakespeare in the Park Festival, A Midsummer Night’s Dream will feature a talented troupe of young actors, including final-year USQ Creative Arts students, together with USQ Alumni.

The production will be presented on 7-9 and 13-15 October at 6.30pm on the Festival mainstage in Toowoomba’s Queens Park – for further information, visit www.usq.edu.au/shakespeare