WIGS and toupees, dress makers in the Isle of Wight, and yards of fabric have gone in to making Evita a real show stopper.When the cast glides on to the stage for the opening night their perfect costumes will tell a tale all of their own.

By Victoria Knowles

WIGS and toupees, dress makers in the Isle of Wight, and yards of fabric have gone in to making Evita a real show stopper.

When the cast glides on to the stage for the opening night their perfect costumes will tell a tale all of their own. Hours of hard work have gone in to making them and ensuring that the audience is transported back to Argentina in the 1940s.

Christine Robinson is the hair stylist for the production and has been working round the clock to get everything ready.

"We are using more than 40 wigs and hair pieces. Some we already had in stock but others we had to hire in. Evita herself has five wig changes and believe me it is not easy to make the changes in the little time between scenes.

"We have two minutes to change her clothes and her wig but we get faster and faster as the production goes on," she laughed.

"People do not realise how hard they are to wear and very hot too. But it is worth it because the hair is very important to get the right feel for the show and to complement the wonderful costumes. If the hair is wrong them the effect can be ruined," she added.

Many of the wigs were supplied by Frobishers who have shops in Ipswich and Stowmarket.

Eva Peron was famed for her beautiful clothes and especially that Dior suit she wore on her famous rainbow walk.

This dress is being replicated perfectly by dress makers on the Isle of Wight who have worked with the Ipswich Operatic and Dramatic Society for many years.

Pam White is has been part of the society for many years and said that Evita has been one of their biggest challenges ever.

"The wonderful Dior suit is being made by Tony Wright in the Isle of Wight. The dress she wore in the balcony is made of 100 yards of fabric and a lot of it had been hand sewn.

"We are making some of our costumes including the funeral suits and it has been really hard work but worth it. This production has been a real challenge because it has not been performed by an amateur group in the area before. So there are no costumes ready and waiting to be used from past performances," she said.

The Evening Star has two pairs of tickets to give away for the show so if you would like to see this wonderful production then send your name, address and phone number to c/o Victoria Knowles Evening Star, Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN