Meet the team
Rusette is the current owner of Bath Theatrical Costume Hire. She took over from Dinah in 2018 although her involvement in the business started nearly five decades ago. At the age of 10, whilst staying with her grandmother (Mollie) on school holidays from boarding school, her job on a Saturday, was to pack the costumes for the customers. She could be seen swanning around the wardrobe on London Road dressed in her ‘uniform’, an Elizabeth 1st costume which had been lovingly made by Mollie.
Living overseas for many years her career took her down the hospitality path where she managed international sales and marketing for a 5-star Safari Lodge.
Founder and Director of a national talent show and music festival, she has always been supportive of the development of young talent in the performing arts. She has a passion for organising events, weddings, and experiences (much like the production of show!) and although not a performer herself, has always had a love for the theatre.
She now lives in Bath and continues to develop Bath Theatrical and with it, opportunities for upcoming theatrical talent. Since taking the reins from Dinah she has introduced a number of exciting products and experiences for individuals and corporates. She has also seen the creation of a photo studio (Studio 2, the only studio with a 25,000 costume wardrobe attached!) and the introduction of an international film festival.
The business has also moved into the 21st century with the creation of a website and developing a presence on various social media platforms whilst still keeping its old-fashioned values and high personal service standards.
With the business having survived Covid, the future looks bright and exciting.
Natasha’s professional career has been in theatre costume backstage, having worked in Southampton’s’ Mayflower Theatre, Winchester Theatre Royal as well as on the West End. She has worked on many of our favourite shows including The Lion King, Dreamgirls, Phantom of the Opera, Wicked and many many more!
Natasha has been sewing and making costumes for over 10 years and is hoping to add many new makes to our Regency section so keep an eye on our catalogue!
As well as being creative and able to put together fantastic outfits, she has managed to learn her way around the wardrobe very quickly, and best of all, round up the rest of us butterflies!
Born and brought up in the West Country she is happy to be back in her native county working at Bath Theatrical. The best of both worlds.
When she is not at the wardrobe you may find her and her husband hiking up a mountain or exploring other parts of the globe with their dog.
Local (well, to the Southwest), Phil was born in Somerset brought up in Dorset. He lives locally with his wife, who he finally managed to marry in October 2021 after having to postpone the wedding 4 times because of the pandemic!
He first came to Bath Theatrical in 2017 when he joined us as a volunteer, taking on a more permanent role in 2018. His focus is productions but as with all the team he uses his creativity to characterise individual clients as well. Phil’s love of costuming also extends beyond work, with a passion for 18th and 19th century menswear, he owns a small selection of his own period suits and cosplays from tv, film and musical theatre.
As a member of several theatre groups, you may have seen him performing as Judge Turpin in “Sweeney Todd”, Jack in “Into the Woods” and in King Arthur in “Spamalot”, to name but a few of the roles he has played after achieving his Grade 8 in Musical Theatre. Phil is also a member of Shaftsbury Town Silver Band playing both Tuba and Trombone.
A local resident of Frome for nearly a decade, Sylvia joined Bath Theatrical back in 2005. Since her daughters were little, Sylvia made their clothes and fancy-dress costumes. Now a grandmother of 5, she continues to create for them all, and gratefully, for us!
She ran a nursery shop in Wilton for 15 years fixing prams and selling infant clothes. During that time, she also made props and bits and pieces for local amateur dramatic groups.
Known for her creative flair and being able to make anything out of anything, she is the reason we never throw anything away. After all … “There are always treasures to be found in crapanza”!!
Sylvia is an integral part of the team and is always on hand for quick fixes and major upgrades to our costumes. Sylvia has made much of our stock including our Beauty & the Beast and Shrek set!
You’ll find her buried under fabric and thread at the back of the shop.
