That's just my "clever" way of introducing this post for the hair & make-up plot for our upcoming production of Benjamin Britten's "The Turn of the Screw". Opera Moderne's new production has taken Britten's score that moves from the classical into modernity where finally variates into the abstract, and thus you have the design scheme for the entire show. From costumes, hair/make-up, stage direction, and lighting to the sculpture installation that will be integrated into the set by utilizing the air-space in Symphony Space and prop usage, we will be embracing the classic to the modern to the abstract process.
Let's start with our most traditional of characters, Mrs. Grose. Mrs. Grose will represent the classic, 19th century, Victorian woman. Her hair will be strict, old-fashioned, and sensible...much like her character. We will bring out her conservative and bitter qualities to the fullest.
She's the housekeeper in this story and runs this large estate like a fine oiled machine, thus she doesn't have time for "fancy" up-dos. Oh no, she is sensible, and thus so is her hairstyle of the times...no muss, no fuss. Simple, orderly and in control, that's our Mrs. Grose.
THE GOVERNESS:
Our next lovely character, and I mean lovely, is The Governess. She is the new addition to the estate and to the cast of characters who live in this dysfunctional manor. This is where change begins to happen. The Governess is our bridge from the traditional to the newer, younger world of the children. Thus we see the change from classic Victorian into the modern.
The Governess is a peculiar character, who takes this job under not so clear circumstances. She is beautiful, but somehow a bit "off", much like her modern Victorian hair-style. Please note how it is a mix of the traditional Victorian up-do, with elaborate care, yet maintains a modern, edgy slant to it. Her costume will also embody the traditional Victorian look, but with a modern cut to it. She is the beginning of the evolution of these characters. Her presence into the mix of the house is the antithesis to the normal day to day happenings...however, how "normal" are those activities?
THE CHILDREN:
Let's meet the children. Miles and Flora, our little darlings of the story. Both are well dressed children who always maintain there look by wearing their school uniforms in an orderly fashion...even at home. What's wrong with that picture? Why are these children wearing their school uniforms at home? Especially since Miles has been sent home from the boarding school he was attending, for doing something "unspeakable". I guess you'll have to come see the opera to figure that out...this is a hair and make-up post, so let's get to it. The children are our modern characters. Their uniforms are modern day, yet their hair styles border on the abstract. Currently we're still developing and playing with our options here. We know they will be modern edgy styles, but we're waiting on our fiber optic hair extensions to come in, to see if we want to work that into the plot. You just never know until you have the product in hand. Here are a few examples of what we're looking at for the children.
MILES:
We'll go with a shorter cut for Miles, but as you can see it'll maintain a modern, almost manga style to it.
FLORA:
For Flora, we're looking at an interesting mix of goth manga. She will probably be our most colorful character when it comes to hair design, and perhaps the brightest if we like the fiber optic extensions in her hair and see if will work with our lighting plot. Ya just don't know until Tech week!
CHILDREN MAKE-UP :
Both children's make-up will also give them a pale, sickly, almost gothic look? Why? Perhaps they stay inside way too much? Perhaps they're way emo? Perhaps they're being "affected" by something else? Oooh, the mystery...
I like to think of Tim Burton and several of his characters in this instance.
THE GHOSTS:
Or should we say Zombies? My design for these characters is a bit on the grotesque side. I like to think of them as coming up from the grave. Thus we will make them look like they've basically clawed their way out and are now haunting the entire household.
PETER QUINT:
He will be a mix of Rob Zombie & a hot Abercrombie Zombie ad...manly, menacing, possessive.
MISS JESSEL:
Our character of Miss Jessel will also posses a Zombie persona, but with a nice drowned look, the embodiment of how she died in the story...she's so creepy and sad.
THE HANDS:
And finally we must discuss the HANDS of our characters. The director is creating a very stylized form of acting in this production, and the psychological gestures of the hands is so powerful, thus we must focus on the hands. Make-up for the regular characters is not necessary, however we do have to carry it over for our ghosts, thus here are a few images so you can get an idea of what we're going for.
Wild! I really love the artistic challenge with shows like these and I hope you will come out and see this wonderful opera. Every artist working on this production has truly out done themselves and have paid so much attention to detail that it will prove to be an interesting adventure. See you May 26th at Symphony Space.
Best,
Rebecca Greenstein
Opera Moderne
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