'Amazing Grace' costumes go on display
Cambs Times 'Amazing Grace' costumes go on display 26 July 2007 THE eagerly awaited display of costumes worn by the leading actors in the feature film 'Amazing Grace' go on display in Wisbech from August 4. Earlier this year the film was released to coincide with the 200th anniversary of British Parliament's vote to abolish the slave trade. Now as its release on DVD approaches, costumes worn by leading actors in the film will go on display at the National Trust's Peckover House. Thomas Clarkson, one of the earlier pioneers of the abolition movement, came from Wisbech. The enthralling film 'Amazing Grace' is based on the life of anti-slavery pioneer William Wilberforce and chronicles his role and that of other abolitionists, in the passing of the Act of Abolition through British Parliament in 1807. Although it did not outlaw slavery, it did make it illegal for British ships to transport slaves and was a significant turning point in the campaign to abolish slavery. The costumes worn by leading stars of the film, including Ioan Gruffudd (William Wilberforce), Rufus Sewell (Thomas Clarkson), Youssou N'Dour (Olaudah Equiano), Benedict Cumberbatch (William Pitt the Younger), Michael Gambon (Lord Charles Fox) and Romola Garai (Barbara Spooner) will be on display at Peckover House throughout August, as part of a new exhibition to commemorate the bicentenary anniversary. Discover abolitionists William Wilberforce, Thomas Clarkson and Olaudah Equiano in the Library. Wilberforce, the political voice of the abolitionist movement, was the one who after years of backroom politics succeeded in persuading those in power to end the inhuman trade of slavery. Equiano, was another central figure in the abolitionist movement and wrote an eyewitness account of his life as an African slave and his fight to end the slavery of his fellow countrymen. Thomas Clarkson also devoted his life to battling the Atlantic slave trade, collecting testimonies from men who had worked on the slave ships. In the Morning Room visitors will find the costumes of politicians William Pitt the Younger and Lord Charles Fox. William Pitt was England's youngest Prime Minister and close friend of Wilberforce. Lord Fox a noted anti-slavery campaigner also worked hard in the House of Commons, in the fight against slavery. Sadly, they both died before their efforts came to fruition. Then finally in the Drawing Room, the most suitable place for a lady, visitors will be able to see one of the beautiful costumes worn by Romola Garai, who played Barbara Spooner. Wilberforce's wife, she was a headstrong lady who shared her husband's passion for reform. All of the costumes featured in the exhibition are on loan to the National Trust from CosProp, one of the world's leading costumiers to the film, theatre and television industries. The exhibition at Peckover House is a unique opportunity for visitors to see these period costumes close up. The quality of work and lavish detail that has gone into making them cannot be fully appreciated until they are seen first hand. The Amazing Grace Costume Exhibition will run from Saturday 4 to Wednesday 29 August, 1pm to 4.30pm (excluding Thursdays and Fridays) and is included free within the admission price of the house. Amazing Grace is released on DVD on Monday 6 August. Slavery is a sensitive and challenging issue and has existed throughout human history. By the 1730s, Britain had become a major slave-trading nation, shipping enslaved Africans to British Colonies in America and the Caribbean. However, Britain became an actively abolitionist nation, in a case of poacher turned gamekeeper and in 1807 an act was finally passed to abolish the British Slave trade. The Act did not end slavery itself, but it was a vital forward step and a significant time in this country's history. Now owned by The National Trust, Peckover House was previously owned by a family of Quaker bankers, collectors and philanthropists. The Peckover family were deeply concerned with various causes and strongly campaigned for peace and the abolition of slavery. They were strong supporters of local hero, Wisbech born Thomas Clarkson and were also associated with Olaudah Equiano. http://www.cambs-times.co.uk/content/cambstimes/news/story.aspx?brand=CATOnline&category=NewsCambs&tBrand=cambs24&tCategory=NewsCAT&itemid=WEED26%20Jul%202007%2014%3A02%3A42%3A807

First of all, congratulations on your promotion to co-admin Frances! :mrgreen: I'd love to see the costumes whilst they are on display. I love period costumes. Thanks for the interesting article!

Thanks, Kaitlyn! I'd love to see the costumes, too. I'll have to find out how easily reachable their display location is.

What fun it would be to see the exhibit! I really think sometimes that I was born much too late,I love the look of that period so much. But then, I would so miss the modern conveniences we have today---so maybe it's best I just stay put! :wink:

Too bad the exhibit won't be touring the US - I am like Shipmate - I love period costumes - and Ioan wears them WELL!!!! (PS I would miss the modern inventions too - too spoiled I guess - hahaha) If someone gets a chance to check this out, I would LOVE to hear your review or maybe some pics. Keep us posted Thanks for the article Frances and CONGRATS on your promotion!!!!

I hate to be encumbered by the petticoats, whale boning, hairdoes and shoes, but they are fun to look at. I hope some nearby IZers will get to see the display and fill us in on what they look like up close. Thanks for bringing it to our attention, Frances. GG

That is so neat they are on display. I'd love to see what they look like up close. I hope someone gets to go from here, and check them out! :) And yes, Ioan looks so great in period costumes!

Thanks for the article, Frances. The exhibit is a great idea that will draw a new audience to the film and the subject.

Thanks Frances!! I wanna go see those so bad!! I bet they are even more beautiful up close!! And I agree that Ioan looks amazing in those type of outfits!!