Costume Design Statement

Arsenic & Old Lace

Costume Design Statement

Since the play takes place in the beginning of the 1940s, most of the characters’ clothing needs to reflect the Spartan efficiency of WWII fabric-saving clean lines. However, the Brewster sisters are, as noted in both playwright’s notes and character dialogue are, “as much a part of Victorian period as the house,” and therefore they maintain a romantic softness the other characters lack. Teddy, likewise, hails from a much more romantic era and his penchant for dressing the part – signing clothes, safari clothes, tea time clothes – keeps him in this romantic halo. Their colors and textures lean toward soft and muted in complementary tones to the Victorian cloister around them.

Conversely, everyone from the outside, including Mortimer, is completely contemporary and this makes their presence in the house a bit jarring at they bring the harshness of the outside world into the calm oasis of the time-locked home. Ingénues Mortimer and Elaine wear clean, efficient lines; crisp, clean colors and are mostly up to date in the latest fashion – although Mort’s clothes may reflect a bit of an “uncared for” look. Elaine is “very smart for a minister’s daughter” with a contemporary look that moves women out of a cloistered house and into the outside world. Mortimer, ever the intellectual, cares much more about matters of the mind than about fashion.

Meanwhile, evil villains Jonathan and Einstein, while contemporary, are a few years out of date. Jonathan’s suit is dark and menacing. Einstein, the comedy of the duo, needs to be a bit rumpled and tattered. Also, his colors can be “friendlier” – distressed and textured chocolates and taupes.

Police uniforms reflect the uber efficiency and functionality of WWII soldier’s uniforms. Many functional pockets and belts complemented by visible badges on both tunics and hats reflect the fact that they are visible symbols of authority and keep the peace mainly by their presence on every street corner.  Likewise, Harper’s collar allows us to immediately identify where he fits in society. His clean black lines and timeless cleric’s togs help him blend into the Brewster’s world while allowing him to walk comfortably out into the world.