So I wish I had been posted this yesterday after out Wig and Makeup demonstration, but time can easily get away from me. Anyways, the Wig and Makeup demonstrations. This was the part of the Stratford section of the trip I was actually most excited for (don’t kill me). Not that I don’t love Shakespeare I really do, but this behind the scenes job has always fascinated me because it gives people the ability to truly transform into someone (or something) else. This ability to change others gives the makeup crew more power than many people realize.
Since I’ve had this interest I knew that I had to volunteer for whatever the Brenda Leedham was willing to do. I was the first girl in our class to be transformed into a man…and a pirate no less! I went to stand up front and was handed a red jacket with gold trim and a parrot on the shoulder to put on. As Brenda helped straighten the coat she explained that this coat in particular was fitted for David Tennet. Yes, the David Tennet! As in the 10th Doctor, Hamlet, Richard II, and Barty Crouch Jr!!! Well, I was rather surprised and yelled into Brenda’s face and she was then surprised by my shock. It then hit me that to her he was simply David, not the elusive actor that I considered him to be.
Anyways on to the rest of the transformation! After getting over my shock about the coat, I was seated and the wig was placed on my head. Now this wig had long, black curls…and was made from human hair. I was not so concerned by this because in the past I have donated hair for wigs. Then I was given a mustache and goatee…also made from human hair. That was weird: 1, because it was human hair and 2, because I had facial hair. I was eventually outfitted with everything that I needed to look the part of a pirate (including a hook) and I have to say that the pictures look really cool. I wasn’t a pirate though, Brenda with all of her abilities could not have actually transformed me into a pirate. I can’t say I really mind I enjoy the person I am now, and I don’t have the talent or desire to play at being someone else. It was fun while it lasted though. (Also I wore DAVID TENNET’S COAT!!!!)