Mad props: National theatre's costume department - in pictures

A bust sits on a shelf. The National theatre's costume and props hire department in Kennington is home to over 85,000 items Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Old typewriters sit on a shelf. All the props and costumes have been produced or bought for National theatre productions over the last 50 years Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Fiona Parker arranges petticoats at the Kennington storage facility Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

A stuffed lamb nibbles a plate of plastic fruit Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

A visitor looks through the collection. The department now provides fancy-dress costumes for the public to hire, as well as TV and film companies Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Masks and armour sit in a box Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Masks hang on a rail Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

A customer gathers footwear Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Tony Kelly retrieves a kettle for a customer Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Jessica Proudman helps a customer put together a Halloween costume Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Visitors try on costumes Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

A rocking horse is moved through the department Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images