Henry V
by William Shakespeare
This version of Henry V was done at SUNY New Paltz in accented street clothes. All characters had a base costume, with costume elements added on top.
For this piece I built Henry V’s jerkin/bodice from a theatrical pattern. I also built a scenic drape/cape from 10 feet wide yardage.
Production Team
Director: John Patrick Hayden
Production Manager: Catherine Doherty
Stage Manager: Nicolette Clock
Costume Designer: Charlotte Palmer-Lane
Lighting Designer: Martin Benesh
Scenic Designer: Ken Goldstein
Sound Designer: Hillary Charnas
The cape was made from two lengths of 10 ft wide fabric, seamed together in the center with a flat felled seam.
I did the center seam as well as edge hems on the industrial machine.
I then cartridge pleated the now 20 ft wide piece of fabric down to a 2ft piece of grosgrain.
I put reinforced patches at the upper corners as well as eyelets, and they were used to hoist and rig the cape.
I started by making a mockup to determine how the pattern went together.
I cut the jerkin from a quilted velvet. For the fitting I had the base bodice built, and we pinned on the shoulder wings and sleeves.
For the finished piece I bound the edges of the whole piece in bias binding, and the sleeves tied in. The front closed with a heavy duty kissing zipper.
The shoulder wings were stitched in by hand, and gave it a very structured look, as well as hiding where the sleeves tied on.
The piece was worn under a breastplate built by Pete Winkleman, and was sometimes worn exposed.
The piece was worn for a large portion of the show, and helped give Henry a defined and powerful feel.