Kilt Do's and Don'ts

**Ian.MacAllan** · 21st February 08, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by berserkbishop

. . . I only hope no one in such a production would be ignorant enough to see that costume and think "hey, thats all it takes to dress like a highlander".

BB

I think you have caught the point of that costume. G&S were masters of parody, and the costumer has exaggerated their parody to absurdity, probably the greatest compliment they could be given. Surely you have heard that imitation is the sincerest flattery.

.

**McClef** · 21st February 08, 04:48 PM

Yes Gilbert had a talent for demonstrating the topsy turvey paradoxes in his plots.

But there is no indication whatsoever that Major General Stanley has any Scottish connections and he is a "descendant by purchase" of Cornish ancestors and you cannot get any further away from Scotland on the UK mainland than Cornwall!

Even the Cornish tartans are somewhat more recent than the 19th Century!

I know there can be a fashion for dressing productions up in costumes that are far removed from the original but at least when they do this they are consistent in their style. I take it there there is no similar costume for Frederick or for the Pirate King.

**Coemgen** · 21st February 08, 07:36 PM

I don't really have a problem putting General Stanley in a kilt (maybe he was a general of a highland regiment?), or even making the proportions a bit exagerated. But this goes way beyond exaggeration.

**Chef** · 21st February 08, 08:11 PM

The term "artistic license" comes to mind.

**Ruanaidh** · 21st February 08, 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by McClef

I take it there there is no similar costume for Frederick or for the Pirate King.

**Coemgen** · 21st February 08, 10:04 PM

Is that a dress!?

**Ruanaidh** · 21st February 08, 10:08 PM

The stage directions for Act II of "The Pirates of Penzance." Scene: A ruined chapel by moonlight. Ruined Gothic windows at back. Major-General Stanley discovered seated pensively, surrounded by his daughters. Here's the costume the designer stuck me in. I think I would have preferred the kilt.

**McClef** · 22nd February 08, 02:51 AM

I dug out a book of the librettos which contain sketches by Gilbert himself and scanned it.

As you can see - nae kilt!

**Riverkilt** · 24th February 08, 06:45 PM

From yesterday's Arizona Scottish Gathering & Highland Games.

I am reminded of the bride who wore curlers at her wedding ceremony so that her hair could look nice for the reception after.

Ambling about with chow and one of those ear phone gizmos and a still basted kilt!

I resisted the temptation to ask/tell him...figuring with all that electonic ear wear he'd have a good reason for leaving the basting in...so just snuck a couple pics to share.

Ron