Buy a bit of Ballarat theatre history

BALLARAT Lyric Theatre will host a costume sale at Pleasant Street Primary School this weekend.

Curated as a fundraiser for the not-for-profit, avid op-shoppers, costume hirers or theatre companies can purchase pieces from Lyric’s archives that have starred on stage or have been rented as dress ups.

Running from 8am until 2pm on Sunday 28 July, Lyric’s Tess Kelly said the sale will be a real collection of history, with prices starting at $2.

“For every show there’s costumes, props and sets, so every so often it’s a good idea to go through and choose things that we don’t use anymore, things that haven’t been hired out as often or haven’t been used in a show recently.

“There’s a nice little collection of vintage clothing that hasn’t been actually made as a costume, but pieces that have been collected and used in shows. There’s also other pieces that have been made as costumes, like leotards,” she said.

“There’s lots of interesting pieces. There’s a lot of Joseph which would really suit Aladdin type musicals.”

Other items on offer include 1930s style dresses, some suits, dress jackets, and furs. An ice cream van and sausage sizzle will be on site too.

“Sorting the costumes, we’ve had a lot of fun. Some of the committee members have been dedicated for years and there were pieces that still had their names on them from the 90s,” Ms Kelly laughed.

“If the sale makes us a little bit of fundraising, that would be great because it always goes back into the company and supports whatever our next venture is.”

Find the sale inside Pleasant Street Primary School’s multipurpose space. Entry is via Mair Street.

Ballarat Lyric Theatre’s Costume Hire is open from 4pm to 6pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 882 Humffray Street South, Ballarat. Marie Wilson can be contacted for an appointment via 0439 700 219.