Hi fellow greece paint sniffers!

What does it matter what we cover our bodies in when on and off the stage? Would it matter if we wore camoflange all day long? Or if we dressed entirely in denim (Including shoes). Or if I was secretly wearing a velvet garter? Would people react if I was to stick two puzzle pieces of a 350 piece jigsaw to my nipples and carry the remaining pieces of puzzle in a tiny backpack? What if the politicians swapped clothing with the coal miners for JUST ONE DAY?! Enough of this- I think you get my point!!! CLOTHING MATTERS. NEVER TIRE OF ATTIRE. #punfun

If I said the words split soul jazz shoe to you would you know what I mean? No?* Well, never worry- I’m here to explain the in’s of theatre garb. Beginning with:

Footware:

“You never know what it feels like to walk like a man until you’ve tried on his skin and then put it in his shoes” Aticust Fineley. To Kill a Mockingjay.

Excatly; there is no profounder way to experience the character of the character you play until you get some shoes to fit the part. Charlie Chaplin stole a tramp’s shoes to get into the character of his infamous littlest hobo character and look at his fame! Last year I had to play the part of a pole dancer in a modernised version of Hamlet, set in Amsterdam during the 1980's and it wasn’t until I had a pair of size 4 stilletto’s on both my feet that I truly felt the pain and confinement of the role. (I’m a size 6). Case en pointe #lolballetjoke. In all seriousness though- you should ensure you get a soft pair of jazz shoes (split sole optional but you’ll look more profesh if you have one) and a pair of nude character shoes, I have worn mine everyear in the panto whether I was playing a rogue chef with a massive leek, Crunch the crisp maker or the good fire fairy Flambe.

Make -up:

“Make up, make up, never ever break up” Anon

I have learnt the hard way that if you don’t wear make up on the stage then all that people will see is a flesh coloured spoon dashing about making noises. You’ve got eyebrows, you’ve got lips- show em off! I find that a thick base layer in ‘chamois-camelhide’ does the trick of covering up any imperfections and can even be used to sculpt some new cheekbones if yours are feeling the effects of the christmas binge! Lippy is important even of you are a lad, and you can’t go wrong with a good high eyeliner flick.

Top tip: If you are in Aladdin, The King and I or Miss Saigon then you should put a nice strong line UNDER the eye to change race for the night. #itsnotracistitstheatre

Rehearsal wear:

Everyone should have some blacks in their closet for when they need them. Black top, trousers, socks, hair scrunchies, pants, bra and/or/and/either/ore vest as well as gloves and a block of charcoal for the remaining areas of neck or wrist. This is incase you need to look like you are totally at home in a theatre or rehearsal environment. Dress like this and sort of leap around the space softly while stretching and muttering under your breath and everyone will let you go backstage, move any items of set to anywhere else and even fiddle with buttons in the tech box, even if it’s not your production. It really is the uniform of the thespbian.

Hopefully you’ll have found some golden nuggets here in the panning fields of good old make-it-up valley ☺

Bye for now! xx Gabi