Yvonne Harrison has had a long standing love of theatre - and its costumes - for more than 40 years.

Involved with Variety Theatre Ashburton she has won numerous accolades and been involved in more than 75 performances — all behind the scenes.

She got involved in 1982 after she, and late husband Joe, went to see My Fair Lady .

‘‘When we came out I said, I think I’d like to sew for these people.’’

Born with a can-do-attitude Yvonne sort out wardrobe mistress, Val Farr, and said how impressed she was by the costumes. Then offered her sewing services.

Val welcomed her with open arms and now, an impressive 77 shows later, Yvonne is still altering dresses and shortening trousers.

The sewing maestro said if she had to pick a standout musical Les Miserables was a slight favourite, but she loved them all and got a thrill from actors looking “lovely and professional”.

‘‘I always take someone with me to the show and I say fixed that, fixed that too, took that up.”

Nowadays, Yvonne takes costumes home to sew…