A stunning new work by multi-award winning playwright Alana Valentine about finding love, trust and that perfect dress, Seymour Centre presents the world premiere of Made to Measure in the Reginald Theatre until 1 June 2019.
Bride-to-be Ashleigh commissions Monica, a couture designer, to make the wedding dress of her dreams. She is reassured by Monica’s promises that the process will celebrate Ashleigh and fill her with confidence, but Ashleigh’s outward assurance masks internal conflict and doubt.
As the wedding approaches, both client and stylist are forced to face the complicated relationship they have with each other, body shape and social prejudice.
Confronting, informative and moving, this is a play that dramatises the relationship that people have with their wedding day, and how it expresses their dreams about their body shape and life. Made to Measure seeks to go beyond the debate about fat shaming and health epidemics and look with empathy and scrutiny about the lived experience of bridal couturiers and their clients.
Directed by Seymour Centre Artistic Director, Tim Jones (2071, The Hansard Monologues: Age of Entitlement), Made to Measure stars Megan Wilding (Sydney Theatre Company’s Blackie Blackie Brown), AFI and Logie award-winning actress Tracy Mann (TV’s Rosehaven and Rake), and Sam O’Sullivan (Sport for Jove’s No End of Blame).
“Alana’s play is remarkable. Impeccably researched, Made to Measure confronts prejudice and weight-bias head-on, whilst, at the same time, investigates the complexities of human biology,” says Director Tim Jones. “Plus its very funny and three of our finest actors are provided with cracker roles in which they shine. And there’s a wedding – brilliant!”
Commissioned by the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre, Made to Measure gives voice to the body positive community whilst exploring the science behind the effect of weight on our health.
Drawing on interviews with designers, brides and health-based scientists, Made to Measure shimmers with Alana Valentine’s hallmark authenticity, empathy, and humour.
Director: Timothy Jones Featuring: Tracy Mann, Sam O’Sullivan, Megan Wilding Designer: Melanie Liertz Lighting Designer: Verity Hampson Composer and Sound Designer: David Bergman Design Assistant: Briana Patrice Russell
Made to Measure
Reginald Theatre – Seymour Centre
Season continues to 1 June 2019
Information and Bookings: www.seymourcentre.com
Image: Megan Wilding stars in Made to Measure (supplied)