Ballet costume

This outfit was designed by the well-known designer Kristian Fredrikson for Sir Jon Trimmer's role as the 'Woodsman' in the New Zealand commissioned ballet 'Tell Me a Tale', produced in 1988 by the Royal New Zealand Ballet. It was first performed at a New Zealand festival staged in Memphis where is was very well received. The themes of the ballet - early settlers to New Zealand and the interface between Pakeha and Maori - were possibly ahead of their time, but were well received by audiences throughout New Zealand. However, the ballet was not a financial success and was only staged for one season.

Trimmer (1939-2023, New Zealand) enjoyed the role, and the conceptual strength of the costume - which evokes the landscape (through the fern motif) and the process of settling (through the workman's clothes) - makes it an interesting costume to collect in terms of national identity. Technically the outfit is of interest - the fern motif was spot-lit from above and glowed on stage, and the cowl neck piece indicates how ballet dress is kept to a minimum to reduce overheating.

Sir Jon Trimmer had an outstanding career in New Zealand ballet, having danced most of the Royal New Zealand Ballet's years of existence (established 1953). The year 2008 marked his 50th year as a character dancer - this was the longest such career in New Zealand. He was well-loved by New Zealand audiences and was known internationally.

For 40 years until his death in 2005, Kristian Fredrikson designed a large number of productions for a variety of Australian and New Zealand opera, theatre, and ballet companies, as well as designs for television and film.