“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” so the old maxim says, and on June 15, Courtenay Little Theatre will hold a Mad Hatter Treasure Hunt that will certainly be a trove of “treasurable” items for all and sundry to find.
Its name certainly is apropos as there will be many hats to “Oooh” and “Aaah” over as well as clothing, props, wigs and accoutrements for wearing, brandishing, carrying and generally using to create an image for yourself.
Costume mistress Gail Limber laughingly states, “After 10 years of collecting “treasures,” we are bursting at the seams. Come and get yours — lower than low prices — just take it away!”
All proceeds from the sale will go to the Courtenay Little Theatre Bursary Fund that supports tertiary education for students pursuing theatrical studies after graduation from high school.
Props are always items of interest as they can be quite specific to a certain play as well as items that create an ambience, a flavour of a particular time or era.
While Bessie the Cow, from the first pantomime that CLT put onstage in 2002, may not be to everyone’s taste as an ornament for the living room, she would certainly draw attention if strategically placed in your garden amongst the bushes! But Bessie is not the only prop that CLT will have on view for you to peruse. Think of the funky wig and sword you might use to devise Jack Sparrow outfit or perhaps a scimitar or spear or shield could give rise to a Sheik of Araby or Roman Centurion attire. All would be great costumes for next Halloween.
Clothing that has been used for a role in a period play is not so far from today’s fashions either. There is a timelessness to white blouses, long skirts, fitted jackets, gloves and stylish shoes that far outweighs the concept of only being for a certain era. You may well find the perfect piece that will complement an outfit you already have as well.
Most children love to imagine and play dress up! There will be a plethora of items CLT can show you that can be used to stock or augment a Tickle Trunk like the one on Mr. Dressup many years ago.
Sometimes when it would not open immediately, Mr. Dressup would tickle the lock as he sang to it, hence its name. And, like the one found on Mr. Dressup many years ago, which magically produced the right costume when it was needed, CLT’s stock of items for your tickle trunk could bring a wealth of “magic” to your own child who loves to fantasize!
The Mad Hatter Treasure Hunt will be held this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Look for the red door in the parking lot behind JET-FM (at 1625 McPhee and 17th in Courtenay) that leads into the CLT Space.
— Courtenay Little Theatre