For this week’s Big Q&A, the Gazette went to talk turbans and Victorian underwear with the team at the new costume degree at High House Production Park, in Purfleet . We spoke to Rachel Young, the South Essex College course leader and Amanda Hall, head of costume at the Royal Opera House.

SO, WHO IS GOING ON THE COURSE’S FIRST YEAR?

Actually, we have an incredibly wide range of people coming this year, which is really exciting. In this first year, we have students coming from all over the world, including Vienna, Spain, France, all over Europe.

The age range also jumps from students who have just finished their A-levels to people in their fifties and sixties who have had other careers. We even haveanurse joining the course who worked in intensive care for 20 years!

RACHEL, HOW DID YOU GET INTO COSTUME DESIGN?

I studied costume construction at the Central School of Speech and Drama and then went on later to work on kids’TV show Peppa Pig. I have also stitched the inside of Barney the Friendly Dinosaur’s bum! But don’t tell the kids that.

WHAT KIND OF PERSON IS DRAWN TO A COSTUME DEGREE?

People who like theatre, drama, creatively-minded people – but also people who like problem-solving.I don’treally think there’s one type actually.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO TO GET ON THE COURSE?

We interview people and also ask foraportfolio of practical work – examples of costumes people have made.

This year, the standard of making in students’ portfolios has been exceptionally high. One student made a full Victorian bodice in 11 days – that’s very unusual forastudent and exactly the kind of student we want on the course.

WHAT KIND OF COSTUMES WILL THE STUDENTS BE ABLE TO USE?

The Royal Opera House archive is going to be kept in this new building (the Bob and Tamar Manoukian Costume Centre) and more and more costumes are also being stored here.

Students will have some access to the archive, including famous pieces like Rudolf Nureyev’s turban. There are other bits, too, like 60 nuns’ outfits and ten tutus. The idea of moving the archive here, from where it was before in Wales, is that it is more accessible.

IS THE ARCHIVE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?

Not yet, but we do loan pieces to national exhibitions, like at the V&A Museum, for example.

SO DOES IT COST HEAVEN AND EARTH TO STUDY COSTUME DESIGN? IS IT FOR RICH PEOPLE ONLY?

No! Surprisingly, we’re cheaper than other degrees. Our fees are only £7,000 per year, as opposed to £9,000 at most universities.

WILL MANY PEOPLE ON THE COURSE COME FROM THURROCK?

There was a drive to recruit people from Thurrock and we have three students coming from the borough on the course over the next three years.

One came to us this year from an access course, another one is coming next year, and one will be joining us in year three of the course.

HOW WILL THE STUDENTS BE ASSESSED ON THE COURSE?

Students will get a mix of practice and theory.

Work experience placements will be held on real Royal Opera House shows, including what we call in the business the “B&Cs”, those popular productions La Boheme, Carmen and Cavalleria Rusticana.

One of the projects at the end of the course will be for students to create a costume and a character for an1840s workhouse.

Students will have to act out on stage a performance, wearing their costume!

There is also another project planned, entitled “Victorian underwear”, which should be interesting!