Words: Laura Morel
You’d have to be of a certain age to remember the 1970 children’s animation Mr. Benn. The well-dressed businessman had a penchant for visiting a costume shop and trying on a myriad of outfits that would transport him to magical adventures.
I imagine Chris Fancourt’s wardrobe would deliver a very similar experience. With well over a hundred fancy dress options packed away for the next beckoning, Chris’s life has always been one of challenge and adventure, his love of occasion underpinning a bright and optimistic outlook. The boy who never grew up, or simply a cosplay enthusiast? I spoke to Chris about why fantasy has become fundamental in his life.
“My sister Lizzie and I have always worn fancy dress from being very young kids. My mum is a great seamstress and took great pleasure in kitting us out. I guess I never really lost the magic of dressing up as I got older. I used to say, every night out is always better if it’s in fancy dress.” And Chris’s friends would be in no doubt about this! From sporting heroes to movie icons, pirates and mermaids to cartoon characters, there’s few themes that have been left unexplored over the course of the years and everyone who knows Chris has been drawn into playing a role at one time or another.
“My favourite night would have to be when my closest friends and I dressed up as characters from Anchorman. I think the ones I recall most fondly are those where everyone made a real effort to come together. Dressing-up just gets people more involved. Will Ferrell is also one of my favourite actors, so I’ve enjoyed becoming his characters in Blades of Glory and Zoolander.”
Chris’s costumes serve up much more than a night on the town, as he has used his endless wardrobe of characters to raise money for local charities and as part of his own sporting challenges. Running the Jersey Marathon as an extra in Baywatch, or shaking buckets on the streets as a Ghostbuster, it’s all part of his way of giving back to others and putting a smile on people’s faces at the same time.
Chris’s mum, Josette Fancourt, remains responsible for all of Chris’s costumes, herself a talented costume designer for the National Trust of Jersey.
“It’s something we’ve always done together. I come to her with my idea for a costume and then she brings it to life. In many ways it’s become a homage to my mum, and a chance to show off her wonderful work. I’ve kept all of the costumes she’d made, and we recently decided to start sharing these with others who may also get enjoyment from them.”
Sadly, just as Chris decided to open his wardrobe doors to start sharing some of these wonderous outfits with others, he received some bad news which caused him to hang up the costumes for a bit longer. For the third time in his life, Chris was diagnosed with a progressive stage of cancer – colon to be precise. This news meant he had to pause his beloved role as a teacher at St Lawrence’s primary school as part of a year’s leave to undertake treatment and recovery.
“Cancer has become a defining part of my life, its shaped my experiences from the young age of 22, but it’s also taught me that life is worth fighting for. We celebrated my last remission 20 years ago with a wig party, having lost my hair to chemotherapy. It’s good to find the light from such dark times and still be able to enjoy the silly moments.”
Silliness is exactly what makes Chris so worshipped by his pupils, with his meticulous planning and execution of World Book Day class costumes having become the stuff of St Lawrence School legend. This year’s celebration was very sentimental because of his imminent departure, but it’s also the occasion he’s looking forward to the most on his return. All being well, he hopes to be back working and in costume in time for the 2026 celebration.
“The kids just love getting dressed up and being the envy of the whole school, but I have to admit it’s getting harder to think of new themes with every new year! Part of my enjoyment of being a teacher is sharing the kid’s enthusiasm and energy around play, and there’s no better way to install this than pretending to be someone else for the day.”
As with Mr. Benn stepping through the door of that magical costume shop, Chris has shown that a simple change of clothes can unlock worlds far beyond the everyday. Whether arriving at school as a pirate king, a dalmatian, or a caveman, Chris’s costumes are never just for show, but invitations to join him on an adventure, and to step into a brighter, more imaginative space. For his students, colleagues, friends and family these outfits brought joy; and for his mum, each carefully stitched costume was a bond of love.
Now, as Chris steps through another, much harder door, into treatment and recovery, his wardrobe of wonder takes on even deeper meaning. Fancy dress, in his world, is not just escapism, but defiance. Through his ever-sunny disposition, fantastic Mr. Fancourt is teaching us all about hope, and how to carry on in the face of adversity.
