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The first costume to be seen at a British con was worn by Dorothy Jacobs (later Ratigan) as part of
a play put on by the London Circle. This is the only known photo.
DRAMATIC PRESENTATIONS
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The only two costumes to appear at SUPERMANCON were worn by Ina Shorrock and Pat Doolan, who were dressed as
'Bergey girls'.
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The Liverpool Group threw a party at CYTRICON and turned up in costume. A lot of effort had gone into Ina Shorrock's
viking/valkyrie costume in particular
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Once again, at CYTRICON II, it was the Liverpool Group who turned out in costume. On this occasion many of their costumes
were based on characters they portrayed in their 'tapera' - a play on tape that was played for the audience. More
photos at that link, too.
LAST AND FIRST FEN
(audio and transcript)
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The first Worldcon outside North America was held in London this year, which meant British fans got to experience a
Worldcon masquerade for the first time.
VIDEO OF 1957 WORLDCON COSTUMERS
The Eastercon only featured costuming in the context of
the first St. Fantony ceremony.
A much larger one would also be held at the Worldcon.
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1958
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No costumes were worn at the 1958 convention.
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Very few photos of this fancy dress party at BRUMCON, but a prize was awarded.
There were rather more costumes involved at another UK fannish event held this same year, as Mike Moorcock recalls:
"I do remember London's official challenge to the Cheltenham knights and what befell me as Official Wizard, complete with pointy
hat and false beard. I remember Ted Tubb and Bob Richardson beating the crap out of one another's armour AND bodies, fighting
seriously for the hand of Sandra Hall. They were covered in heavy bruises by the end of the fight in
which they tired in true gladiatorial fashion until they could hardly swing a sword or a mace. In the end, I
feel rather guilty to admit, Sandra left with me... The Wizard usually gets the girl in real life."
*** THE CHALLENGE ***
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LONCON was the first time that fancy dress was an event held up on the stage at a UK national convention,
with proper judging and prizes awarded.
This had now become a regular feature at UK conventions, though there were occasional glitches. The manager
of the hotel that hosted the 1967 Eastercon insisting on holding his regular Saturday night dance in the
main hall during the con meant there was fancy dress parade that year.
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For a while during the 1960s another manifestation of costuming at conventions, starting here at LXICON,
was jousting. Dressed in pseudo-medieval garb the participants would go at each other with wooden swords
and hardboard shields. This predates the formation of the SCA in the US.
Ina Shorrock - our most dedicated early costumer - entered the actual fancy dress in
a splendid 'Firebird' costume designed by Eddie Jones.
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