Page to Stage: Cosi & Accidental Death of an Anarchist

In Louis Nowra’s classic play the time is 1971, the setting is a Melbourne mental institution. The line between reality and illusion is explored through the behavior of patients, staff and the ‘normal’ world.

The design explored all these different realities. In this 2003 joint La Boite Theatre / QPAC production directed by Adam Cook and designed by Dan Potra, the costumes generally reflect the period of the play, and the different worlds of the characters, while the costumes for the opera within the play specifically reflected a hand-made occupational therapy aesthetic.

The costume on the far left is from the 1984 TN production of Accidental Death of an Anarchist designed by Bill Haycock. A purchased linen suit with hand-painted additions.