We open on Monday! Plus some make up ideas

Hello theatre luvvies...

So its Wednesday which means its the LAST rehearsal before the big Tech and Dress on Sunday.  How am I feeling?  Uber excited!  Confident (I think) - although at the last rehearsal I managed to completely forget my steps in the Temple scene, but the good news is that I have cracked the Superstar number.

We have our costume call on Thursday night which this year means for me just one old hag'  'cape and dress - please, please let the dress fit!  Usually I have a problem with hired costume dresses - they never fit me and I always have to make alterations.  This is due to having what some might term a fuller figure 'up top'  - the bane of my life.  Maybe I can strap them down this year? Use a minimiser bra or sports bra?

I also have a superb wig in a 60s beehive style which us soul girls are wearing in the final Superstar number- this is going to be styled for me on Thursday and then apparantly I have to take it home on a balloon??  That will be weird - a balloon head - I may draw a face on it. I can keep it in the hall to scare off burglars.

So on to make up - I thought I'd include some pictures in this blog for make up ideas - we have been told we are not allowed to go too mad adorning our faces with flowers /hearts etc and should have purple or blue eye shadow.

 Firstly how great does Pixie Lott look?  I love everything about this look - hair, flowers, eye shadow and the art on her face -wish I could do that every night but it may be a bit high maintenance.  This has given me the idea to do my hair in waves though - looks totally cool.

I love this as its not too overdone but its still really pretty - love the green eyeshadow - might try that...and big lashes - I have some of those!

Quite like this as again she's not gone over the top but its still effective and she's managed to sneak a hippy heart in there. Again, green and blue eyeshadow mixed in there - looks totally right.

Now this is an original look from 1969 - year I was born (you do the math)   Wow they loved that blue eyeshadow didn't they?  And the big eyed look - easily achievable with false eyelashes ( I recommend eyelure - they seem to be the best and have the most staying power).

Nice again but perhaps a little tricky to do yourself before a show - love the hair though.

I'd never get away with it but can you imagine the look on our directors face if I did come on like this??? ha ha


I don't want to forget the guys so here are a few inspirational pics for you boys in the cast as well...

Look at this lovely festival goer - he's got some great make up going on there - if any of you guys want to make a bit of  a statement.

I can't work out if he is dressed up or really does look like this but anyway he's nailed the hippy look - note the coloured hair extensions guys - you could try that...

I like this pic because this guy just looks naturally cool and relaxed and he's not wearing any make up.  My brother sported this look for a while when he was a student but the dreads got a bit smelly after a while as he didn't like washing them.  YUK.

The good news is that our sales figures are looking good which for an amateur group means a hell of a lot!! Last rehearsal we were told we had sold 73% so thats fantastic.

BRING IT ON!!

Biblical, hippy or modern - the thorny issue of costumes

Hello fellow theatre luvvies,
I was thinking what to write the blog on this week - we are now into our rehearsal schedule but as we have only been doing music so far, we have yet to find out what vision our director has in store for us, including the issue of what we are going to wear and what look the show is going to have.

So this made me start thinking about costume.  We are all aware of the time Jesus Christ Superstar is set (33AD I think?), and some companies choose to stage it in biblical dress.  I have seen an amateur production of this where this was done, and it did not do it for me.  Maybe because I feel that this limits you to a sea of sandals and beige stripes with the odd palm leaf being waved around.We have agreed our production will be in modern dress - but what does this mean?  We have all been very influenced I think by the recent arena tour, where the cast wore modern dress - the look was of protestors and was heavily influenced I think by the riots in London a few years ago, and the protestors around St Paul's Cathedral.  Doing some internet research I came across all sorts of references so thought I would share them with you.

Firstly I found this brilliant bit of video from the costumer designer for JCS on Broadway in 2012 - I really like what he did as he has merged traditional dress with but there are touches of modern fashion - so it still looks funky and cool...

Paul Tazewell: Costume Designer For Jesus Christ Superstar Broadway 2012

What do you think?  I particularly like how he dressed Herod and Mary Magdalene - Mary really stands out in that yellow dress.

Love the suit Pilate is wearing too

This last picture shows Herod's song - love the use of the white piano but also how the girls and boys are dressed - sort of camp Roman??? Bit like 'A funny thing happened on the way to the Forum? '  Look at  that guy in the red tunic!!


Here is another take on costume from another society - the Hippy look...this is another way of doing it, referencing the time it was written and first put on stage - i.e. 1970s...Not too sure about this - could be in danger of looking a bit too much of its time?

 

Touch me, touch me Jesus!

I'm sure I've seen these guys in the British legion playing ukeleles on a Wednesday night

Now in this next picture, I am not sure what the hell is going on - back to the 80's anyone?  Pink DMs - a bit Bananarama? Although I am quite liking the Angels and the white vests with diamante crosses. But what is with those grey dresses the souls sisters are wearing?  Tell me, does this float your boat?

Do you really want to hurt me?

This was the only pic I could find of traditional Biblical dress and I must say I do like the Roman uniforms, but then I have always been a uniforms girl...but no, glad we are not doing it like this.

Doesn't Jesus look sweet though?

It thought this worked well, sort of - mix of old and new?  And that corset I bought could come in handy again...I am getting my money's worth out of that. I like Judas in black and Jesus in white.  Not sure about the guys in hats though, are they meant to be the priests or gangsters?

This is from the arena tour - hard not to copy it isn't it, as it is so good! - love the banners, love the modern look.  It would be really easy for us to do as we probably have the clothes at home - but what does our director have in mind?  I am sure he won't want to just copy it.

 

 

Gotta get my hoody out

Lastly thought I would leave you with this image of the priests - wouldn't this be great????Like something out of Star Wars???  Leather tea cosies for hats?

Got rehearsal tonight and wondering - will I ever get the notes right? The altos have got some real buggers to sing this year.

As promised in my last blog here is alto corner for JCS 2014!!  There are some more ladies but they are either on holiday or in the toilet....