MERCURY COSTUMES BURAT
Fire last Thursday night destroyed between 800 and 1000 costumes owned by the Mercury Theatre — the Auckland professional company. Virtually the only costumes saved were those for the opening night of “You Can’t Take It With You” on Friday. These had been taken by the cast an hour previously for a rehearsal.
The fire began in the basement of the wardrobe storage department next to the theatre. Firemen brought it under control in 15 minutes, but the damage was estimated at between $lO,OOO and $15,000 to the costumes and $6OOO to the building.
The chairman of the Mercury Theatre Trust Board (Mr R. B. Walker) said that among the more spectacular costumes destroyed were Annie Oakley's wedding outfit, Macbeth's armour, and the Papa) costumes from Hadrian VIII.
“The costumes were not just mock-up, each was an individual masterpiece." Mr Walker said. He appealed to the public for any street clothes, dinner jackets, tailored suits, furs, gloves, hats, or shoes which were not needed.
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Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33445, 29 January 1974, Page 20
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166MERCURY COSTUMES BURAT Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33445, 29 January 1974, Page 20
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