Lighting Up Monday: Dressing Up For BARD ON THE BEACH - TWELFTH NIGHT!

I have to plan my week by starting off with a brilliant Monday. This time, Monday June 24th, Mel Kobayashi and I met up at David Lam Park, to chat about what she wore to opening night of TWELFTH NIGHT and why dressing up lifts your mood, lights your creative fires, emits positive energy, adds joy, and gets you out into the community and beyond. If life is a circus, might as well actively participate. Ring Master, Trapeze Artist, Musician, Acrobat, Fortune Teller, Magician...camera, lights, action and we're off!

In preparation for our discussion about the play, TWELFTH NIGHT, currently on at Bard on the Beach, I dressed in a vibrant gold jacket by Hot & Delicious and added the lips necklace, the wooden, must-coloured bracelet, the pearl ring (pearls and rings are in the play) and pearl bracelet, and the vintage sunglasses.The Shakespeare/England Starbucks mug, the tiny crown, with its coloured jewels by Carolyn Bruce, the blue mask, the fool's/clown's sceptre/wand, the fancy envelope (isn't there always a letter or note in the plays?) and the mirror necklace (who are we?) and the twins: sparkly, pearl and gold earrings/ornaments Carolyn Bruce and twin, gold faces earrings, again, female/male (who's who?),  all  on a silk, circus coloured fabric, set our stage.

I wore the gold jacket, a pink fedora, striped top and matching striped stockings, (stockings and garters feature prominently in Twelfth Night),  blue pants with side stripes of gold, lots of pearls and a sunglasses patterned bag. Thanks to Mel for taking these photos of my outfit!

But Mel dressed up for the Opening Night of "Twelfth Night" because dressing up is a way to show support and preparation for the event. It is sharing in the creative act and both respects and nods to all of the creatives who stage performances like this one and so many others, here in Vancouver and in your other travels. Mel who went with Twelfth Night Costumer Mara Gottler, says the costumes were magnificent and effectively tied together the fast-moving storyline with many role changes. Mara, not only designed all of the costumes for TWELFTH NIGHT, but has made extraordinary costumes for Bard On The Beach since the first production in 1990. Imagine it is now in its 35th season! An Instructor Studio 58 at Langara, she has also designed for other stages and Opera, too.  I have never believed in simple costumes so as not to overshadow the story. A big story, I think, can be told through costume, especially this one, set in the carnival world of  "ILLYRIA, Land of Misrule". Jerry Wasserman described "fantastic eye- popping costumes",  in his review in The Vancouver Sun and Janet Smith referred to the "over-the-top costumes" in her review in STIR. I am sure there will be many more great reviews to come! 

Mel Kobayashi at opening night of Bard on the Beach. Photo by Mara Gottler

Orange robe by Malcom Paull (Australia), Two necklaces and ring by Jackiebrazil4you (Jackie Brazil Jewelry Australia), Rainbow dress by vintagebysuzanne, Neon yellow robe by Top Shop, Pink Munsters by Fluevog, Vinyl ruff collar by VCC Fashion students, Striped silk blouse with bow, thrifted Scotch and Soda, Paillettes bag, gift, Handcrafted ring by OSK Micro Art

My photos of Mel

Mel's Sketch of Bard on the Beach

The glitter twins

So have fun, dress up, be who you want to be and get ready for Costume, Drama and Stage. Tickets at: bardonthebeach.org. According to Mel, many people do dress up when they hit Vanier Park for Bard on the Beach performances, on now through September. Be prepared for intrigue, music, a fabulous setting, both on and off the stage, and oh, those costumes. Play on!