The Four Seasons were a bunch of snappy dressers, there's no doubt about it! So when choosing the costumes for the cast of JERSEY BOYS AUSTRALIA, Director Des McAnuff and Australian Costume Coordinator Billy Roach, knew they had to create a distinctive look.
The costumes in the show reflect both the changing decades and the changing of the seasons – and with it the fortunes of the band. At the start of the show, during the late 50s and early 60's, the boys sport fresh spring colours. In summer, when the band are hitting the heights of their success, the outfits step up a notch with an even brighter colour palette. Autumn brings a more mature outlook for the band and an autumnal colour palette to go with it; then finally winter sees them in stark black and white.
We asked Billy Roach, Australian Costume Coordinator, to explain the look behind the JERSEY BOYS.
How would you describe the Four Seasons' 'look'?
They all wear clean lines and sharp snappy dressing! Very stylised - with short collars, fitted and tailored jackets with square shoulders, and straight-legged flat fronted pants - as was the trend with younger guys in those days.
How did the Four Seasons stand out
from other bands at the time?
Although a lot of groups at the time went for that sharp snappy look, the Four Seasons looked different because they wore a lot of different textured fabrics such as brocade.
Apart from the changes in colour reflecting the changes in seasons, how do you show the progression of the boys' style as the years go on?
In the 1960's it was all clean lines and skinny ties. As they moved into the 1970's, the look become less sharp in favour of more boxy styles, and the ties are getting wider. When we see the boys being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 they are all wearing modern Calvin Klein suits.
What about the girls?
The girls' costumes are all about silks, brocade, embossed fabrics and sequins – and they all wear handmade wigs made from real hair! There is some symbolism in their costumes too, with Mary wearing tight bodices and full circle skirts compared to Lorraine's straighter lines.
What was your favourite period to dress?
Definitely the 1960s! It's the most fun as it's very stylised.
Where did the costumes come from?
Apart from the Calvin Klein suits the costumes were all hand made especially for the show. Textures of fabric were very important – brocade, silk, wool... It took about 15 weeks to make all the costumes.
How would you compare the style of the Four Seasons to the style of bands today?
There is no comparison! Bands today could certainly learn a few things from the Four Seasons – in those days it was a well-thought out and put together look. Today, with a few exceptions, you get the impression they just opened the wardrobe and put on the first thing that fell out of it!