WHAT HAPPENS TO
THE COSTUMES?
By Marc Muneal
Express
March 24, 2000
Pages 34 and 35
One
Sunday night each year, we are treated to the sight of eight
kings and queens, who dazzle us with their splendour and gargantuan appearance.
They
set foot on stage, glare down at citizens of their large kingdoms, and
bountifully grace us with their presence.
This
is their purpose: to give their subjects enjoyment and a feeling of gladness at
having seen them.
After
that, unfortunately, they die. Most of
them at least.
Yes,
it's true.
After
Carnival Monday and Tuesday, many a king and queen costume make a final trek
back to their respective mas camps where they are unceremoniously taken apart
with few tears shed.
Geraldo
Vieira Jr., first runner-up in this year's King of Carnival competition with
the costume "M'Ganga, Witch Doctor", explained the cost involved in
producing a king costume and what happens to it after Carnival.
"Some
materials are purchased locally and some from New York. Things like the fabric are bought at Jimmy
Aboud or Samaroo's, but the feathers come from the States."
Those
feathers, of the pheasant variety, cost US $14 a piece.
Over
80 were used on "M'Ganga".
In
addition to this, a team of 40 is involved in putting together the costume and readying
it for the big night. Though some of
these people are volunteers, a great number of salaries have to be paid,
including those to three electricians and a technician.
"M'Ganga"
also incorporates artwork done on the fabric used; salaries had to be paid to a
noted local artist and his three apprentices.
Vieira
was unsure of the final tally, but he said for a king costume, it can run
anywhere from $50,000 to $80,000.
After
competition, the entire frame of the costume is striped. Only fibreglass rods are saved.
But
what happens to everything else, all those expensive pheasant plumes and fabric
artwork?
They're
thrown away.
Former
Queen of Carnival Allison Brown gave an explanation.
"Carnival
is farewell to the flesh. The costumes
go the way of the flesh."
Also,
there's no room to store the costumes, which sometimes have a reach of more
than 20 feet and spread out twice that.
Only costumes that till need to make appearances or winning costumes are
kept by the mas makers, and even then, only if there is space.
Trinidadians
may remember Brown dancing "Joy to the World" to the queen title, and
then in 1996 at the Olympics. That costume
is still alive and well, and resides at the Callaloo Company along with other
champion costumes.
But
then again, "Joy to the World" was a whole lot smaller than most
traditional costumes.
Vieira
added: "We don't feel too badly about it, it's produced for Carnival and
then taken apart, and we start looking forward to next year's show."