A Richmond amateur dramatics group is celebrating a boost to its costume-making capabilities after receiving funding for new professional-standard equipment.
Richmond Amateur Dramatics (RADS) has received a grant from North Yorkshire Council’s INSPIRE Fund to buy an industrial-standard overlocker machine.
The funding covered the full cost of the equipment, which the group says will allow its volunteer costume team to produce outfits more quickly and efficiently while improving their durability.
Georgie Sake, head of costume at RADS, successfully applied for the funding, with several members of the team now trained to use the new machine.
She said: “I’m thrilled with the capability and quality of the new machine.
“It will save the team hours of sewing and allow us to produce costumes to an even higher standard.
“Most importantly, the costumes will be stronger and more durable, so they can be used for many plays and performances to come.”
The costume department plays an important role in RADS productions, creating outfits for the group’s shows.
Its work has previously received praise from reviewers, with one commenting that “you would be hard pressed to find better costumes in the professional theatre”.
The group hopes the new equipment will help volunteers maintain those standards while reducing the amount of time required to produce costumes.
RADS said the grant would also provide a longer-term benefit by increasing the skills of its volunteers.
With several members now trained to operate the overlocker, the group says the expertise will remain within its costume department and benefit future productions.
RADS has thanked North Yorkshire Council and the INSPIRE Fund for supporting the purchase.
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