Uniformity, status, and physical decay
Do not just write "they wear normal clothes." Examiners want to see how you use costume to communicate status and psychological breakdown. If they are in school uniforms, how does John Tate wear his differently to Brian? If they are in street clothes, how does the dirt and mud build up on them across the three acts to show their loss of innocence?
Using a standardized school uniform is a brilliant way to visually establish the "pack mentality." When everyone is dressed identically, the subtle differences in how they wear the uniform reveal their hierarchy and personality.
His uniform should be pristine but slightly oversized. A blazer with broad shoulders makes him look physically larger and more imposing, reflecting his reliance on intimidation. His tie should be perfectly knotted to show he is trying desperately to maintain control and order.
Phil’s uniform should look completely comfortable, almost like pajamas. An oversized, thick wool jumper instead of a blazer, with no tie. This shows his complete disregard for rules and authority, and his relaxed, unbothered nature in the face of crisis.
Brian should wear a uniform that is slightly too small or tightly buttoned all the way to the top collar. This physically restricts his movement, making him look young, vulnerable, and suffocated by the pressure of the pack.
If setting the play outside of school hours, you must use 2007 "Broken Britain" youth culture as your inspiration. Hoodies, tracksuits, and trainers become armor to hide behind.
Cathy should wear bright, expensive-looking trainers and a pristine, branded tracksuit. This shows her absolute apathy towards the horrific situation; she is more concerned with her image and the "excitement" of the drama than the reality of murder.
Leah could wear a bright, mismatched outfit—perhaps a colorful cardigan over a band t-shirt. The chaotic mix of colors reflects her frantic, erratic energy and her desperate need to be noticed by Phil.
Phil should be dressed in dark, monochromatic colors (blacks or dark greys). A thick hoodie pulled up over his head serves to obscure his face, masking his emotions and turning him into a terrifying, shadowy figure on the stage.
The play spans days or weeks. Costume must show the passage of time and the psychological toll of the cover-up. Breakdown (aging, dirtying, or tearing fabrics) is a highly technical design skill.
When Adam returns from the woods, his clothes should be heavily broken down. Use Fuller's Earth to create caked-on, dried mud on his knees and elbows. Subtle, dark rust-colored stains on his collar should suggest dried blood from his fall, making him look feral and barely human.
Track Brian's mental decay through his clothes. In Act 1, he is pristine. By Act 2, his shirt is untucked and wrinkled. By Act 3 (when he is medicated), his clothes should be misaligned (e.g., buttons done up in the wrong holes) and stained with dirt from cowering on the woodland floor.
In stark contrast to the others, Phil's costume should remain completely pristine throughout the entire play. He never gets dirty, physically reflecting how emotionally untouched and remorseless he is about the horror unfolding around him.
Use these pre-structured sentences in your exam to instantly hit the top marking bands for costume justification.
| Design Element (What) | Impact Justification (Why) | Key Terminology |
|---|---|---|
| Brian's school shirt buttoned tightly to the very top collar, which becomes untucked and stained with stage dirt by Act 3. | The tight collar initially physically restricts him, showing his suffocation under the pack's pressure. The gradual addition of dirt and dishevelment visually maps his complete psychological breakdown. | Breakdown Distressing Condition Character Arc |