Terry Gilliam’s Damnation of Faust – Behind the Make Up
Set in the 1930’s during the rise of Naziism, the designer wanted to convey a sense of diabolical darkness through the use of a very smokey eye for the Ladies’ chorus, the Gents’ chorus and the actor/dancers. After being given a couple of references, I trotted off and came up with two designs which I then taught to all those wearing them. Products were lots of MAC eye kohl in smolder (so easy to smudge, and very intensely pigmented), and Kryolan black greasepaint.
Whilst the Ladies chorus are generally quite amenable, it’s always been something of a struggle to get the Gents chorus to wear their makeup.
They invariably hate it, and some members have been known to hide in the toilets rather than submit to my makeup ministerings.
After all my best efforts of wheedling, cajoling and even some mild bullying, I discovered that the best way by far to ensure compliance was to wear something low cut and sexy. I might be an accomplished makeup artist, but at the end of the day it’s still all about tits..
The chap in the pictures is one of the dancers, who very obligingly let me do his makeup and then posed for pictures within the Coliseum. Loving that Salon Kitty-esque auditorium shot. Mmmm.
I’ve always been a massive fan of Terry Gilliam, so not only was I delighted to work on this superb production, I was actually slightly beside myself when he signed my cherished Monty Python book. Happy days.
