Caption & Description: A worn-out, short-sleeved T-shirt dating back to the 1980s that represents qualities ranging from pride, participation or simple appreciation for a good performance. This royal blue T-Shirt reveals a casual fit to its subject and is made up of cotton fibers. The thin white tag which depicts these details resting in back of the shirt is extremely fragile and displays almost no readable print. The material has a dry feel to it yet the detail in the middle of the tee ironically can be easily read and possesses very little fading. The text states: The Department of Theatre Arts at SUNY New Paltz Presents The American Premiere of The Swan Down Gloves. The character detailed under the writing most likely represents one of the main characters of the show known as Mazda, the Master of Shadows. But why was this production and t-shirt, among the dozens of musicals performed within the Theatre Arts department at New Paltz, cherished and seen as so significant in the eyes of all those involved? 

Provenance: Although no definite information has been confirmed, this t-shirt is believed to have been donated by the original director and writer of the show – Billie Brown – to the SUNY New Paltz memorabilia collection. Another assumption reveals someone within the theatre arts department saved and stored away the shirt. Surprisingly, as productions played a frequent part in the life of a theatre major, shirts representing each production were not always created. However because this was such a special show, the department made an exception so the shirt could serve as a way to remember the achievement of SUNY’s first American Premiere of London’s The Swan Down Gloves. Other items related to this show are also saved within SUNY New Paltz’s special collection such as the directorial notebook of the show with all the notes, stage directions and cast lines.

According to the New Paltz Oracle newspaper, the cast of the theatre art’s production of The Swan Down Gloves dates back to late March and early April of 1987. The exact show dates were March 26-29 and April 2-5. The performance was held in McKenna Theatre and the general admission ticket was $7. The oracle had frequent advertisements for college productions and even occasionally had reviews for certain shows for the public to read about. This production is just one of the examples of the richly talented contributions that the fine and performing arts departments within the college that is SUNY New Paltz. However, what makes this production particularly extraordinary is the fact that the theatre department at SUNY was the first group to stage an American version of this London production. Thus, the original director Billie Brown came to SUNY New Paltz to see the show and Nigel Heiss, the show’s original composer also came to New Paltz to assist with musical numbers.

Based off Billie Brown’s book, The Swan Down Gloves has the potential to captivates the minds of any audience with its imagination rendering mystical characteristics. The show debuted in London, 1981 with The Royal Shakespeare Company and through its distinctly pantomime way of being, proves to be a particularly unique show in itself. Generally, the show appears to be a spoof on William Shakespeare’s early life and includes several comedic characteristics that parallel with Shakespeare’s plays. The New Paltz Oracle describes in its description of the performance as: “A frolicking, rolicking romp through the joyous and sometimes bawdy realm of fable and fairy tale where boys play girls and vice versa, rats read Neitzsche and fairies guzzle gin”. This “bawdy realm” includes the simple plot of characters Kit (a glove maker) and his brother Will setting out on a journey to deliver a pair of special gloves to the court of London. The characters encounter many obstacles and throughout the show the audience becomes acquainted with vibrant characters such as Mazda – the Master of Shadows, Lumina – The Lady of Light and of course, Lady Alice – the sex kitten. (insert footnote). The characters’ outstanding experiences throughout the show seem of greater importance than the actual storyline as a review by John Barber states: “The script…….gives classical actors every chance for outrageous burlesque of panto people and conventions”. Clearly, the performance requires tremendous talent and ability which the theatre arts department could take grasp and re-create in the still very familiar McKenna Theatre.

Although little is still documented on the specific casting details and highlights of this show, the production of Billie Brown’s: The Swan Down Gloves was one to remember and appreciate during its current time and still today. This new type of performance composed of pantomime and Europe’s comedia dell’arte influences, introduced its audience to a different type of show.  This show displayed little similarities to popular musicals that were more commonly displayed in American playhouses. Thus, this show paved the way for a different type of audience and a different approach to theatre. SUNY New Paltz was gifted with this wonderful opportunity and so opened its doors to diversity within the theatrical performance world.

*sources to be continued