FIRST LOOK: Curtain Call opens at The McManus this weekend celebrating Dundee’s influence on stage and screen fashion

Curtain Call is the newest exhibition to open at the stunning McManus Galleries and honestly, walking through it feels like stepping behind the scenes of some of the biggest moments in film, TV and theatre.

What really struck me is how deeply Dundee runs through it all. Curtain Call: Costumes from Stage and Screenf celebrates the incredible work of designers Jane Petrie, Ros Little and Alex Reid, alongside creatives who have collaborated with Dundee Rep Theatre and Scottish Dance Theatre. It’s a powerful reminder of just how much creative talent has come from this city.

Running for nine months, the exhibition shines a spotlight on Dundee’s global impact on costume design, showing how local beginnings can lead to international stages and screens. It feels proud, ambitious, and very Dundee.

Seeing these costumes up close is something else. You’ve got Meryl Streep’s Emmeline Pankhurst outfit from Suffragette, Queen Elizabeth’s dress worn by Claire Foy in The Crown, and Claire Danes’ striking look from The Essex Serpent - all right there in front of you.

There’s also work from Royal Shakespeare Company’s Othello, Helen Alderson’s wedding dress from All Creatures Great and Small, Demelza’s iconic crimson gown from Poldark, plus Blackbeard’s pirate costume from Horrible Histories. It’s such a brilliant mix of serious drama, period detail and playful nostalgia.

For me, this exhibition really drives home how Dundee quietly shapes culture far beyond our city boundaries. Whether you’re into fashion, film, theatre, or just love seeing Dundee talent celebrated properly, Curtain Call is well worth your time.

A beautiful, inspiring, FREE exhibition - and another reminder that Dundee creatives are making their mark on the world. Definitely one to catch this weekend.