Three of the costumes from 'Much Ado About Nothing' are being displayed after 15 years in storage: two are in gold velvet worn by Ellen and Henry Irving from the wedding scene, which are being shown against a backdrop reproducing the famous church set. The third costume, in elaborate floral brocade and velvet, with feather fan, was worn by Ellen in another scene from the production and is shown in a dressing room setting.
The sumptuous garments were of the highest quality, made from luxurious stamped silk velvet with elaborate trimmings and fine detail by Auguste et Cie, a Costumiers run by designer Patience Harris. She produced Ellen’s costumes and often those of Irving during the first decade of Ellen’s career at the Lyceum. The expense and time involved in their creation was unprecedented.