Last night we presented a ‘Tudor Fashion Show’ to celebrate the refurbishment and opening of the fabulous new ‘ state of the art’ Stockton Central Library.

The facilities in the new building are excellent – they include split level floors and up to date conference/events facilities.

I presented an introduction followed by models in historical costumes.  We also included period music, a talk about the garments design/construction and a brief history of person wearing the costume.

King Henry VIII dressed in full regalia arrived at the end of the first half of the Show greeted by rapturous applause. He truly deserved his title  – ‘The Best Dressed Prince in Christendom’.

During the interval soft drinks and wine were served with nibbles.

The second half of the show concluded with ‘Mary Queen of Scots’ walking to her execution attended by one of her ladies. A visitor in the audience admitted to me after the Show that she had actually cried as the performance had moved her so much.

After the Show King Henry VIII, Mary Queen of Scots, King James VI and Queen Anne Boleyn appeared so everyone could take photographs.  The audience included a number of school children who wanted to have their pictures taken with ‘King Henry VIII’ as they are currently studying ‘The Tudors’ at School.

The audience also included two visually impaired ladies – we were happy to let them ‘feel’ the costumes after the Show.

I would like to thank Claire and all her staff at the library for making us so welcome and for making the event such a success.

I would also like to thank my team – it was a superb event  – we all really enjoyed the evening!

For more  information/photographs of this event please view link  for Stockton Libraries on Facebook below

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150550007043438&set=a.10150550006503438.472603.128038453437&type=1&theater

Pictures by courtesy of Photographer Bill Stevenson