For me, one of the greatest pleasures of the theatre is a well designed costume. No matter how good the show, how dramatic the scene, if the make-up and costumes are not right it can let the whole performance down. Just imagine if the puppets of Avenue Q were moth-eaten and poorly maintained, if the nun’s habits in The Sound of Music were filthy and peppered with holes. London’s West End has some of the best costumes theatre has to offer, from the elegant period pieces of the RSC to the technicolour glory of Hairspray. We have selected 5 of our personal favourites here at the Show and Stay® offices for your enjoyment.

Number Five: Elphaba, Wicked.

A masterpiece of understatement, it would have been all too easy for the costume designers to go to town on the so-called “wicked witch”. Fortunately, they remained loyal to Gregory Maguire’s novel and created an impressive costume. Pointy hat, swishy cape and just the right shade of green. This costume really comes into its own during the rousing Defying Gravity.

Number Four: Trekkie Monster, Avenue Q

There was some debate as to whether this constitutes a costume or not. The final verdict was if it has two arm-holes then it’s a costume. Trekkie Monster gets extra points for being a costume AND a puppet, that’s value for money! Watch out for Trekkie during the hilarious The Internet is For Porn.

Number Three: Gollum, Lord of the Rings

An impressive combination of make-up and costume. Gollum was brought to life in the spectacular Lord of the Rings musical. In a cast featuring some of the best costumes the West End has ever seen, Gollum was a filthy, creepy little stroke of genius. If only he did some kind of jaunty dance he might have made number one.

Number Two: Giraffes, The Lion King

A West End classic. The Lion King’s elaborate costumes have been dazzling audiences for nine years. The giraffes use a clever combination of stilts, masks and truly convincing costumes to create an experience so close to the African savanna you’ll be reaching for your pith helmet in no time.

Number One: Galadriel, Lord of the Rings

A vision in glittering gold, Galadriel’s costume is, in our opinion, the most beautiful creation to appear on stage in recent years. This, ladies and gents is the kind of costume that appears for sale at a swanky auction in 10 years time with the kind of price tag only footballers and Russians can read without choking.

Well there we have it, our honest (perhaps slightly controversial) top five West End costumes. Perhaps you don”t think Trekkie Monster counts, perhaps you feel we missed someone out? Use the comments box, let us know your top five.