EUROPEAN VERSIONS





Used in: United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Mexico, Brazil



TYPICAL

The European versions are fairly faithful to the original versions used in 1986-1988 in West End. There are many minor variations, but these are the main features:

*V shaped, draped apron with pleatings.

*Backdrapes consisting of two not-always-completely-sewn-together pieces. The backdrapes are large and defined waterfall backdrapes, alternating between the blue stripy silk and a navy satin.

*Appliquees on both collar, cuff and front. They're usually flower shaped, and most versions after 1998 has used the same appliquées, but in various compositions.

*White trims (sometimes tassles) with a navy velvet ribbon on top. Many gowns also have blue tassles. The trims are used on the paniers, the bodice, the apron, the bow in the back, the backdrapes and at the elbows/cuffs.

*Heavy, draped panniers, often looking a bit pointy in the end

*An oversized bow in the back of the bodice, laying over the backdrapes.

*A heavy pleated cuff which is equally long all around the elbow

*A collar which are made of two pieces, and which doesn't meet in the back (forms two curved ends behind the neck which are not sewn together)

*A bodice consisting of several panels, sewn together in a pretty advanced way - and the stripes still match...



VARIATIONS

But as mentioned there are variations. Some of the dresses used in Sweden and Denmark had a straight apron rather than the V-shaped one, and it also had gathers rather than pleats. German dresses has had a wide variety of appliquées and trims, and they've also had some wonderfullt tailored dresses reminiscent of authentic Victorian garbs. Not all dresses has the little bow in front, and some are made of the same silk as the dress, while others have a darker blue bow. Some versions, amongst them the Spanish/Brazilian ones, has used lace for trimmings of the dress instead of ribbons, and some has used various tassels in either white or pale blue.

In general these versions of the Wishing gown comes off as a tad "cuter" and younger than other versions. This is partly due to the wide neck opening and the amount of appliquées, but also the short bodice and the girly cut. The term "European" can be a tad misleading, as Brazil and Mexico are included in the category. The main reason is that the Mexican production had all their costumes made in England and they were therefore identical to what was used in West End. The costumes were shipped to Spain, and later to the newly-closed Brazilian production.

Further re-use of costumes is seen in the one made for the Swiss production. They were (badly) stored for many years before they were sent to Belgium and majorly re-done. Some of the costumes were later shipped to Denmark, where they also used many of the Swedish costumes. In Germany there's been a constant re-use of costumes, and many of costumes from the Hamburg production was re.used in Stuttgart and Essen.



WHO'S USED THESE DRESSES?

ENGLAND: Sarah Brightman, Claire Moore, Maria Kesselman, Rebecca Caine, Jan Hartley Morris, Jill Washington, Iréne Bartók, Lisa Hull, Shona Lindsay, Nikki Ankara, Megan Kelly, Myrra Malmberg, Josie Walker, Meredith Braun, Charlotte Paige, Sarah Ryan, Claire Louise Hammacott, Ana Marina, Deborah Dutcher, Amanda Jane Kallaghan, Celia Graham, Katrina Murphy, Mia van der Eykel, Katie Knight-Adams, Nikki Adams, Robyn North, Zoë Curlett, Irene Bartok, Fay Richardson, Louise Walsh, Amy Nuttall, Rachel Barrell, Jane Mark, Leila Benn Harris

GERMANY: Anna Maria Kaufmann, Colby Thomas, Renee Knapp, Janine Kitzen, Maike Switzer, Anne Görner, Michaela Linch, Silvia Krüger, Lori Broderick, Deborah Dutcher, Carla Michalski-Thamm, Carla Nicholson, Valentina Kozhanova, Lori Zeglarski, Alison Kelly, Valentina Kozhanova, Olivia Safe, Marion Wilmer, Carla Nicholson, Kristin Hölck, Sandra Danyella, Marion Wilmer, Evelyn Werner, Michelle Rosen, Silvia Krüger, Susan Derry, Joke de Kruijf, Susan Ruth Brady, Karin Kurzendörfer, Kirsten Schwarz

SWEDEN: Elisabeth Berg, Tua Åberg, Inger Olsson Moberg, Johanne Brochmann, Christina Knockenhauer, Monica Einarsson, Katarina Agorelius

DENMARK: Susanne Elmark, Hanne Damm, Viktoria Krantz, Agnete Munk Rasmussen, Mia Karlsson, Eva Malmgren, Helen Geerts, Malin Landing

SWITZERLAND: Ute Baum, Kimilee Bryant, Lynette Knapp, Beverley Worboys

BELGIUM: Susanne Duwe, Inneke van Klinken, Helen Geerts

the NETHERLANDS: Joke de Kruijf, Els Bongers, Maaike Widdershowen, Marika Lansen

AUSTRIA: Luzia Nistler, Collen Bessett, Joke de Kruijf, Janet Chvatal, Claudia Dallinger

SPAIN: Felicidad Farag, Teresa Barrientos, Julia Möller

MEXICO: Irasema Terrazas, Claudia Cota Gamez, Lolita Cortés, Elizabeth Mata

BRAZIL: Sara Sarres, Kiara Sasso, Bianca Tadini



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