Established almost 10 years ago in 2013, Studio 32 Musical Theatre Company, are set to present their latest show ‘Guys And Dolls’ at the Cardenal Belluga Theatre, San Fulgencio in May.
To get a flavour of the preparation involved, the Leader was invited to take a behind the scenes at the costumes and props departments.
“A crepe Evening dress made in India 60 years ago, valued at £100, will be just one of the dresses to be worn in Guys And Dolls,” Susan Zillah Wilson, Studio 32 Artistic Director, told The Leader.
Andy Kirkwood, Press Officer, pulled out a bowler hat, from a plethora of items in the costumes room, saying: “The London made fine fur felt, hand-made bowler hat was donated after being used at Masonic evenings, it’s valued at over £200.”
Rails of dresses and menswear as well as lots of dinner suits are amongst items donated by charity shops,with many of the costumes donated by former Theatre group Rascals in 2020.
An RCMP, Canadian Mounted Police Uniform, century old original tailcoats, and costumes formerly worn by a magician, are under the umbrella at Studio 32.
Wardrobe supervisor Nicole Vallins is the artistic talent: “Nicole can make anything – you have to have a good imagination,” said Susan, formerly a professional singer, dancer and actress, who has worked alongside the late Sir Bruce Forsyth, Sid James, Sir Lawrence Olivier, Anthony Andrews and Bradley Walsh.
Susan, who has also appeared in Keeping Up Appearances, Brideshead Revisited, The Bill, Grange Hill, Eastenders, and Casualty, said: “We can dress more or less every musical, having international and national dresses and costumes, including Chinese, Japanese, Indian, German, and uniforms from the Army and Navy, some original and quite old.”
Studio 32 have raised funds approaching €40,000 for charities, including Alzheimer support, the homeless, a music school in San Fulgencio and the Red Cross, also helping those affected by the DANA storm in 2019.
Guys And Dolls follows the recent show ‘South Pacific’, staged in November 2021, having been postponed four times, due to Covid-19.
The company, who have performed the musicals Oklahoma, Fiddler On The Roof, Mack And Mabel, Chicago and Anything Goes, are still looking for actors, singers, dancers and backstage assistants.
“We need more men for Guys And Dolls as chorus men and crap shooters. Also a small props co-ordinator is still required,” said Susan.
Guys And Dolls runs during May 18, 19, 20 and 21. Further details can be found at: www.studiothirtytwo.org. Email: info@studiothirtytwo.org. Telephone Andy Kirkwood: 636 020 547.
