The costumes of LUDÕ embrace the art of transformation. They invite the cast to play, to shift identities, and to reinvent themselves moment by moment. Like children discovering treasures in a dress-up trunk, the actors build their characters through an ever-changing collection of costume elements – hats and accessories that spark movement, attitude, and imagination. Each look becomes a fragment of memory. Through these shifting silhouettes, the ensemble gives life to the many stories and recollections belonging to The Visionary, our main character. Dressed entirely in vibrant yellow, The Visionary appears like a beacon in the night, a guiding light whose color illuminates his journey. At his side stands his alter ego, Bazinet, reminiscent of a Harlequin, with a diamond patterned shirt that playfully highlights the very idea of costume as a theatrical convention. A mariachi hat, a musketeer plume, a captain’s cap, a worker’s helmet, a cowboy hat, or a simple straw Panama, each element carries strong cultural and emotional references, allowing the audience to instantly grasp the essence of a memory or character.

The designs draw inspiration from the playful principle of a flip book, a concept directly embodied in the show’s juggling act. The result is an eclectic wardrobe that spans eras: the golden age of Commedia dell’arte, the world of traditional circus, and various decades of the 20th century. While historical accuracy is never the goal, the costumes capture the dream-state quality of The Visionary’s memories, blurred edges, playful distortions, and the joyful freedom of imagination.

Because water shapes the world of LUDÕ, many costumes echo its movement. Fabrics shimmer, float, and detach from the body, creating fluid, airy silhouettes that appear to drift in the wind. Creating costumes for an underwater environment also brings its own challenges: every fabric, trim, and accessory must learn to move with the water – to drift, to ripple, and to endure, much like the feather-like dress pieces featured in the underwater circus act. Crafted from resilient materials yet created to feel weightless, the costumes seem to float beneath the surface, all while preserving the performers’ ease and expressive freedom. In the finale, the costumes worn by the acrobats on the acro net evoke the splash and kinetic energy of plunging into water, a visual echo of Bazinet, who jumps into puddles and invites The Visionary to do the same at the beginning of the show.