Costumes play a key role in making a successful play. They are able to set the mood, add realism to the storyline, not to mention they give you an idea of what the character is like. Costumes also give the audience an idea of a character's personality or attitude, the time frame of the show, and make the show more convincing for the audience. Costumes are also important because it helps an actor find his/her character. And when it comes down to it, if the actors are not believable as their characters then the audience won't suspend their disbelief. At the Ark at Eight is a beautifully written and humorous story about two penguins who smuggle their third penguin friend on to Noah's Ark. .
The costumes in At the Ark at Eight are exceptional. Penguins are known as flightless birds that are mostly in the water. They spend time on land but their time spent is not always graceful. This is could be due to their flippers or maybe it is because they have short legs but regardless it is hard to imitate a penguin on land. These actors were not only able to portray this animal but did so while in a penguin costume. Even though it would have been a lot easier just wear all black clothes deciding to perform in the penguin suit was the correct choice. It was not only fitting for the audience but it was also a great attention grabber. It also mirrored the play's upbeat lighthearted vibe. Another reason the penguin costume was fitting was because of the type of audience. There were multiple kids at the performance so for them to see real penguins made the play that more enjoyable for them. .
The penguin costume was a black suit with a white belly and along with extremely large orange diving flippers. The hood or head of the penguin was very nice touch to the, costume it added to the realistic look of a penguin as well as hide the actor's hair. On the other hand having a hood on would make it very difficult to hear especially when the actors had to hide in the trunk.
