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"Welcome to the Theatre": Diary of a Broadway Baby

Fashionspeak Fridays: The Gilded Age

October 25nd, 2024 | National Arts Club | Evening | Talk | 1H

Head costume designer for The Gilded Age, Kasia Walicka-Maimone, participated in an hour-long talk at the National Arts Club this past Friday. Here are a few things I learned for all us Gilded Age gals.

Over 7,000 costumes for the background actors across season one. Hundreds for the principals.

All of the principal female characters' costumes were crafted right here in New York, though regrettably, the entire industry is disappearing at a rapid rate in America.

Most of the menswear and some of the background costumes and hats were done in Europe, where they have much more resources.

Season one featured shoes that were all period-accurate and crafted especially for the show. This was a costly affair, and anything they didn't reuse for the next season was done on a simpler scale because the camera really never sees the shoes.

Most of the designs are inspired by House of Worth.

While the layers of undergarments were all period-accurate, they were also largely not camera-ready, instead simple and functional. Only a few characters had one or two camera-ready corsets.

They're taking some creative license with Ada's mourning attire, and she's going to be in colors a little sooner than realistic.

There are only a few designers for the many hats, and they really upped the ante for seasons two and three. Last season, there was a hat so large that the actress couldn't get through the door for the scene and they had to adjust.

Actors typically do two-to-three fittings, the first being with the initial muslin draping. And apparently the person responsible for actually tailoring Christine Baranski's costumes now knows her body so well that they only need one fitting to get everything right.

Kasia's team operates out of Manhattan, and can be anywhere from 65 to 100+ people.

They have 22 massive trucks that shuttle costumes from location to location.

They'll sometimes reuse principal actor costumes for background actors, so I guess this means the drag queen wearing Anne Morris's dress means nothing in-universe.

Highlight of the night was one lady asking if they used AI to design and research the costumes at all and Kasia blinking at her and saying, "I have a human researcher," before proceeding to talk about how many museums have digitized their archive and it makes research much more accessible for her team.

Verdict: A Lovely Night

A Note on Ratings

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Hugh Bonneville has revealed that the third Downton Abbey film – which is being billed as the franchise's last – will be a fitting tribute to the late Maggie Smith.

Speaking on Virgin Radio UK, Bonneville revealed more about the movie, saying: "We finished a third – and I think probably final – Downton Abbey film this summer, which will come out next September. That is a wonderful sort of closing off of all the stories, so it’s a proper film for the fans."

He went on: "It’s very much set in the house and saying goodbye to all these characters and we obviously say goodbye to Dame Maggie, which was very poignant on screen and now in real life. She’ll be sorely missed. But the final film will obviously be a great lasting tribute to her."

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For the first time in its history, Call the Midwife fans have a two-part Christmas special to look forward to ahead of new episodes in the New Year.

Rather than the traditional 90-minute instalment, the BBC has confirmed that there will be two 60-minute episodes, which will also include a Christmas cliffhanger.

"Who doesn't love finding an extra, unexpected present underneath the Christmas tree?" said creator and writer Heidi Thomas OBE.

"When I was asked to write a two-part Christmas special for 2024, I couldn't resist!"

Executive producer Dame Pippa Harris added: "For the first time, viewers can luxuriate in a two-part festive treat this Christmas. Heidi has created a spellbinding special which I know will delight our loyal fans."

Director of BBC Drama Lindsay Salt hailed Call the Midwife as "one of UK television's most popular festive traditions".

She continued: "And this year we wanted to go even better, with Call the Midwife's biggest Christmas ever!

"Heidi and the team have lined up an absolute treat, with two irresistible episodes packed full of everything fans will love about this very special series at Christmas time."

All of the "well-loved characters" will be back for the two-parter, which picks up in Christmas 1969.

The midwives are "all busy delivering babies and doing the job they are most dedicated and committed to", while Poplar also welcomes a funfair, which adds "a burst of colour and excitement to the frosty landscape".

But there will be challenges, including influenza and the Hong Kong flu, not to mention an escaped prisoner.

As the neighbourhood prepares for a carol concert, "fears grow that he may be in the local area after a spate of break-ins".

Elsewhere, "the Turner children are caught up in the fever surrounding the Blue Peter Christmas appeal to collect dinky cars and scrap metal, Trixie makes a fleeting visit to Nonnatus House and is delighted to see her brother Geoffrey, and Miss Higgins has her grandson Harry stay for Christmas".

Violet also has her hands full hosting a mince pie competition, "but the Buckles' preparations for Reggie’s homecoming are thrown into turmoil".

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I’m a little bit in love with this photo…

(Source - ACGAS Facebook account)

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Is someone a little hoarse?😆

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Oh no😱 Last episode of Season 5!

James faces a health scare. Seigfried & Tristan's drink fuelled walk home stirs tension. And Mrs Hall juggles it all while Mrs Pumphrey shines in a new way🌟

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Clip at the link!

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A filming notice for Newport, RI I spotted on IG. Cropped slightly.

Not going to link the page because the person is completely unaffiliated with the show as far as I can tell but it’s findable under tags.

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BTS of The Gilded Age filming Season 3 in Newport, Rhode Island.

🎥 @louisa_jacobson via IG stories

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Howzat!🏏

But Audrey's face says it all🤨

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Clip at the link!

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All Creatures Great and Small - Magazine Round Up: 5x06

Here are the ACGAS features and synopses from the recent UK TV magazines:

19-25 October 2024

TV Times

Radio Times

TV & Satellite Week

What’s On TV

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All Creatures Great and Small - Synopsis: 5x06

Source: Radio Times

Episode 6 - Glass Half Full

James starts to behave out of character while examining Tricki, and his health takes a turn for the worst. Meanwhile, Siegfried, needing an extra hand in Carmody's absence, recruits a reluctant Tristan to help. A broken-down car forces them to renegotiate their relationship, with amusing consequences

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Trouble’s brewing at Skeldale 😬 🏡

Tristan's return is anything but smooth as he finds Carmody’s taken his bed & his brother. Meanwhile, Mrs. Hall has a plan up her sleeves & James tackles more than just a sick cow with some surprising revelations.

📺 All Creatures Great and Small, Thursday 9pm

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🐍

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All Creatures Great and Small - Magazine Round Up: 5x05

Here are the ACGAS features and synopses from the recent UK TV magazines:

12-18 October 2024

TV Times

Radio Times

TV & Satellite Week

What’s On TV