Creating the Characters

Jester costume design by Karin Kopischke.

“I’m so, so, so excited,” says Lizbeth Thomas, director of Gibraltar’s spring musical, Once Upon a Mattress – an endearing comic fairytale featuring a controlling queen, cursed king, and an unlikely princess who must pass a ‘sensitivity test’ to marry a prince.

“The cast is set. We’re going to put on a great show!” says Thomas, who sits at a table and fans out a dozen colored drawings featuring figures dressed in bright medieval attire. “This year we’re trying something new, instead of going to thrift shops and getting something we ‘think’ is going to look good, we have decided to have a definite theme, a definite color scheme.”

Well-known costume designer Karin Kopischke (who has helped with Gibraltar productions in the past) has drawn up ideas for the play’s unique characters and Thomas hopes to have the community, individuals, or businesses adopt a character. “This way we can have more flourishes to our costumes, better fabric.”

The cast and crew of Once Upon a Mattress are asking for donations of $150, $100, or $75 to dress the characters.

“Last year we did Anything Goes and we built a few of the costumes and did the thrift shop thing, but because this is a medieval fairytale, we want it all to really blend and work together,” says Thomas. The set, designed by Thomas’s husband, Kurt, will compliment the medieval theme and show off the brilliant costumes.

“Those who donate will be in the program, receive complimentary tickets, and Karin has consented to give her original [design] boards to the those who donate.” They may also incorporate the names of donators in the play.

“[Kopischke] is designing costumes that will take people’s breath away,” says Thomas.

For more information or to adopt a character, contact Thomas at 920.868.3284 ext. 289.

Performances of Once Upon a Mattress will take place at the Door Community Auditorium in Fish Creek, April 12 – 13 at 7 pm and April 14 at 2 pm. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for seniors and students.