The upstairs loft of the Canberra Repertory Theatre (REP) houses thousands of memories stored in coats, dresses, buttons, and scarves. Jeanette Brown has been their caretaker for the past 35 years, cleaning them, restoring them if like look a bit rusty or shabby, and helping them find their homes after a play has ended.

Jeanette has been the wardrobe manager – or wardrobe mistress, as her husband Russel affectionally calls her – since 1990 when her mentor passed. However, she had been working with the wardrobe department for several years before her promotion. 

“When the wardrobe moved up here somebody didn’t want to climb the stairs, so we got a new wardrobe carer and she got me in 1987. She said she was grooming me, and she did a darn good job because I am still here,” Jeanette smiles.

The wardrobe mistress and her husband have both been involved with the REP since they moved to Canberra in 1969. While she was mainly getting the house and children settled during that first year, from 1970 Jeanette was fully involved with the theatre company, helping in any capacity required.

“I was sewing, and costumes, and we used to run a float to advertise our shows – all sorts of things that we don’t or can’t do now; all sorts of things that needed to be done, that is how you get going,” she says.

As the theatre produces six shows each year, over the years they have amassed quite a costume collection. Because there are some articles they need to keep, they have become quite creative with their storage options. Jeanette added extenders to all the hanging racks, bays, and hidden cupboards to try and contain all the items.

“We keep things; they might not be the right colour or size for the next role, or for that person so we make something new,” she says.

The wardrobe department has created oodles and oodles of costumes, says Jeanette. Some have been quite special, like those from period plays, whereas some are more basic, like shifts; however, they’re hesitant to part with any.

“We can’t throw them out, even raggy things. It takes time and there aren’t that many fabric shops left in Canberra anymore. People used to sew but I don’t even sew anymore because I can just go buy things and take them up,” she says.

It’s rare that one person will craft an entire costume themselves. In the workshops, people are usually given jobs based on their skill sets; Jeanette is known as the buttonhole queen. They also try their hand at upcycling, finding that a few minor tweaks can transform a regular frock into a roaring ‘20s flapper dress.

“If you don’t get the right thing, then you have to adapt it and it is very clever to see what can be adapted,” shesays.

Refining the craft for 75 years, Jeanette remembers being interested in her mother’s treadle sewing machine at a young age – and wasn’t even turned off after accidentally sending the needle through her mother’s finger.

“I used to make dolls’ dresses out of a saucer; make one hole for the waist and put a layer on. That was my only designing ability, I was about seven. Then I did drafting and sewing at school. I drafted my own gym tunic when I was 14 with pleats and things. It just grows from there; you have to start somewhere,” she says.

With so many pieces stored in REP’s wardrobe, items occasionally get misplaced but finding them again is like being reunited with an old friend. The team is working on creating a photographic catalogue for anyone who is looking for a particular item, so they won’t have to go pulling things from boxes.

“We have a lovely little ostrich feather cape and nobody would know it is there unless they would look down this photographic list,” Jeanette says.

There is hardly any time between one season ending and preparation starting for the next, which can make it tricky to find time for maintenance. To help with this, Jeanette has had a team of helpers for the last 10 years, who also bring fresh ideas on how to store items and optimise space.

Along with crafting and altering, a number of wardrobe items have been donated. While they don’t canvas for items, Jeanette says they often come from people who have been on stage or have lost or separated from their partner. When people come to donate articles, they aim to ensure they know that anything they can’t use may be sold at one of the retro sales, where any funds raised go back into the theatre company’s running costs.

When deciding which clothes to keep or what can be moved into the yearly retro sale, there are many things to consider. The list is stored in Jeanette’s head, but she promises to pass it on before she leaves.

“You have to look at the condition of it and the length of the sleeves because you can always take a sleeve up. Then with trousers, you have to make sure the zip works or that they have zips because some of the older ones were button fly; there are oodles of things we have to consider,” she smiles.

When the retro sale comes around, prices are based slightly better than what you would find at an op shop. It is part of the wardrobe manager’s role to scout and find out what things are going for around sale time. She says many great quality items end up in the sale as they either don’t work with their upcoming productions or there are better options for the stage.

“There are some beautiful things, but they are too heavy for the stage. If someone has to wear it for a whole act and there is a lighter one that would do, of course you’re going to choose the lighter one,” Jeanette says.

According to Jeanette, while some of the donations they receive can be questionable, they don’t like to turn anything away or hurt people’s feelings – sometimes with unintended consequences.

“We had a big moth incident last year. Something was brought in and left backstage, and it wasn’t until the moths were out that anyone realised. They got into things, they flew up under costumes that were hanging, and we had to get pest control in.”

Surrounded by beautiful clothes all the time, Jeanette has borrowed a piece or two for a special occasion, always returning them professionally cleaned and in their original condition.

“We were going on a cruise; it was on the QEII in 1999. I borrowed a nice fur stole to wear to the captain’s dinner. I lugged the darn thing around for five weeks and I wished I hadn’t,” she smiles.

Behind the scenes is where Jeanette likes to be. While at times feeling envious when seeing people wear new wigs or makeup, she’s never experienced a strong desire to be on the stage. She once played a part with her local church when she was younger and that was more than enough.

“They used to run a one-act drama festival, and everybody paired up. Nearly everybody had a boyfriend or girlfriend. Russ was called in to play a role and I had to play this glamorous actress. I was 17 and that’s the only role I was ever called to do; I didn’t like it,” Jeanette says.

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