The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Black sequinned tailcoat with black satin revers. The body of the coat is lined with black polished cotton and the tails with black satin.
This costume was worn by Shirley Dawson in a tap dance routine called 'The Two Shirleys' (the other 'Shirley' being Shirley Green) in Sydney c 1941-1942. The dance was choreographed by her sister, Lorraine. Miss Lorraine Dawson trained a dance troupe known as 'The Dancing Darlings' which performed at concerts entertaining troops based in Sydney. They also danced at fundraising functions for the war effort. The entire costume for 'The Two Shirleys' comprised a sequinned tailcoat and shorts, satin waistcoat, black painted cane with white head and tip, tap shoes, and a cardboard top hat covered with black satin. The latter has not survived. The dancers had bare legs, often with a 'seam' painted up the back, because wartime rationing restricted the availability of stockings. Norman 'Paddy' Patton, who performed in musical theatre and was also a qualified tailor, designed and made the costumes. Photograph P02718.001 shows the Shirleys dancing their routine.
Shirley Green (left) and Shirley Dawson (right) tap dancing in their black sequin suits and white satin vests, designed and made by Norman (Paddy) Patton. Their dance performance, known as "The Two Sh
Pair black sequinned shorts with centre back hook and bar, and press stud, fastening. Lined throughout the black polished cotton. The 70mm wide waistband is separately attached and lined with black sa
Lightweight wooden cane with a flat knob on the top. The knob and upper part of the cane, together with the tip is painted in white high gloss paint. The body of the cane is painted in high gloss blac
Pair of black leather tap shoes with quarter heels and instep straps fastening with a single black button. The metal toe pieces are stamped 'OMEGA TAP', while the metal heel pieces are stamped 'SALOME
White satin waistcoat with stand collar and small, heavily top-stitched, turn back 'wing' collar. The waistcoat is lined with white cotton and fastened down the front with fifteen concealed hooks and
Shirley Green (left) and Shirley Dawson (right) tap dancing in their black sequin suits and white satin vests, designed and made by Norman (Paddy) Patton. Their dance performance, known as "The Two Sh
Child's cotton drill white naval trousers, with buttoned drop-down fly and buttoned internal waist. With pair of pockets. Part of a child's naval uniform worn by a child performer in sisters Lorrain
