Panto pulls creative crowd

Sewing machines are buzzing and hand needle work is in full swing as finishing touches are put on costumes for the Busselton Repertory Club’s pantomime of Ali Baba in January.

A colourful tapestry of 60 creations would feature in the show, with most of the cast of 30 requiring two costumes each.

Wardrobe manager Joy Conrau had been joined by four volunteers from the Busselton Senior Citizens Art Group for the effort since October and welcomed the extra hands after being involved with the club for 38 years and mostly sewing at home for annual pantomimes.

In addition to drawing on pieces already handmade over the years, about 20 outfits had been created from scratch for the show.

Director Janet Dickinson said a costume “adds all the colour” to scripts and the most interesting task had been to design for Ali Baba’s two dame characters played by male actors.

“Costumes evolve – you start with one thing but end up with another,” she said.

“Making glamorous harem outfits for them was a bit of a challenge.”

Dickinson said having a group available to work on the vision was wonderful and would mean costumes could be finished in the next week and attention turned towards organising accessories.

A dress rehearsal will be held in late December before the first of 12 performances starts on January 1.

Tickets are available from Callows Newsagency.