Unless you've been living under a rock (or have deliberately chosen to ignore the fact that the old time mas characters are still alive), you should realise that long before the beaded, spandex clad waistlines shook and gyrated their way across the Savannah stage and their feet were pounding the government roads, it was the old time traditions that reigned supreme. Along with the blue devils, Jab Jabs, Pierrot Grenades, Gorillas, Bats and the like, the Dame Lorraine character (described above), continues to be a popular sight during the lead up to the Greatest Show on Earth. For the past seven years or so, the Dame Lorraine portrayal has been brought to life by June Sankar, a member of the National Carnival Commission (NCC) and the National Carnival Bands Association. She is also a tutor for the NCC (and quite an accomplished seamstress). She started playing Dame Lorraine in 2004, while her daughter Nadia Sankar, who recently joined her as an Assistant Tutor, made her first appearance as a Dame Lorraine just last year and by all reports, had quite an experience. "It was great fun for me," said Nadia, smiling. "I always loved how my mother's costume looked because she made sure to use good quality materials – she imports her stuff from the US, so you know that she is all about quality."
Preparing the costume from start to finish usually takes about a month, both to sew and decorate. You would think that that making the dress is the most difficult part of the mas, but it's actually the hat, because it's the part that gets noticed (before the exaggerated bosom and buttocks) and must look as 'cosquelle' as it possibly can with added bows, flowers or glitter. It's also a portrayal that was done by men; there are still a few that do it today, but it has evolved into a costume that's donned by both sexes, and even the little ones are getting into it. According to Nadia, there's no real age limit to play Dame Lorraine. "For children the costume will be simpler though, because little children will get tired quicker than we do," she added. "Remember, even for a big person, it is a heavy costume to wear and the kind of weather we have these days, it can get really hot. Walking around in the costume, plus the wig and hat, with the extra boobs and bottom is real pressure, but we use polyfill stuffing and high density sponge for the filling. As for the material? Nothing too heavy. We use polyester and cotton because it dries quickly, you don't need to iron it and it doesn't wrinkle as much. It's the breathability we're after, plus it looks rich."
For all its richness and colour though, Nadia admitting that though she is only a year into it, believes the old time character mas is dying a slow death. "The younger people aren't as interested," Nadia said. "Plus, some people try to do the costumes themselves and end up making the traditional mas look as if it's old cloth. But, when it's done properly, it's impactful. I'll never forget how last year it took my mom, sister, cousin and myself a whole hour to get from the Savannah to Chacon Street, because everybody who saw us we just mesmerised and wanted to take pictures with us. Even when the bikini wearing people saw us (especially the foreigners), they were like, "Oh my God! Can I take a picture with you? Can I take a picture?" But it is a dying thing. Organisers seem to concentrate on giving the bikini mas players more breaks." Cost wise, it is relatively cheaper to play an individual Dame for Carnival; a complete Dame Lorraine costume averages between $1800 and $2000, with a more elaborate version for $2500. Yet it surprised Nadia that there were people who found the price was too high. "I mean, this is a costume where you're getting everything, down to the pouch, the fan, the wig... All you have to bring is your shoes and earrings. You're getting everything. Personally, I can't say I'll spend $4000 for a costume and it's fitting in a nuts bag or a bag you're getting from Wonderful World. Don't get me wrong. I like my "leg and thigh" mas too, but the traditional mas has more history. Personally speaking, the bands aren't really putting much thought behind the portrayals for them to stand out. It's becoming too much like Brazil. We need more thought and creativity." For 2012, Nadia is doing it again; this time her Dame Lorraine is going the steampunk route. "It's supposed to look like an old Victorian styled mad scientist from the 1800s, so everything's really brassy and 'junky'." (I had to ask.) Can you ever have a Dame Lorraine with too much breasts and bottom? "Nah!" Nadia laughed. "The more the better!"
If you're interested in playing a Dame Lorraine in 2013, contact June Sankar at 302-1028 or 732-8530.
