Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-11-22
now ACroRs MAKEUP.
The sold Man" OF the Stage Tells About
the Tricks of His Trade.


"There's good deal in the way you are
made up" said the sold man'' as he stood
before the mirror in the stars Dress
ing room at the theatre putting the finish
ing touches to his stage countenance.
| Until within the past few years the En-
glish actors eXcelled the native-born
Americans in this regard, but the latter
have picked up and now average second
TO none in the art of making up. But it
is great study. OF course the actor s
face should correspond with his concep-
ton OF the character TO be portrayed. A
picture must be drawn in the mind OF the
character to be represented, and then
ranferred to the face of the actor.
This maintains consistency with the lines
| ne speaks. Careful artists study this IN
the mirror before applying a line to the
features. l will demonstrate To YOU"
The actor had adjusted his tights and
approached the glass 10 corner of the
| little dressing-room. The reporter looked
over mis- shoulder and the actors custom
! arily handsome features were contracted
out OF shape. His brows were elevated
in an eXtravag CANT way, and irregular fur
rows ran longitudlnally over bis forehead.
GROWS feet" were In the corners Of his
eyes, and, by dropping Of the lower jaw,
the deep lines were made down from the
case of the nose on either side, the mouth
assuming a crescent shape. The face in
an instant had been transformed from
youth to enfeebled age.
Now, that's an expression I'll main
tain on my face for the next two hours
and a half while Pm on the stage. Pain
flu? No, not particularly. The muscles
OF an actors face become so tractable
that, like any other exercise, it has no
wearying results. Butthat's not enough.
1t would be sufficient for those with opera
glasses, but even then we must eXagger-
ate nature Bit"
He then proceeded to Law "A foundation
Of pulVeriZed chalk, applying it with
piece of chamois skin. THIS he evenly
distributed, making a surface, as painter
would prepare his canvas. This CON-
pleted, his face assumed the expression
OF the old man described. From the
makeup box" he produced several little
sticks OF grease paint Of many colOrs and
combinations OF shades and proceeded to
accurately follow the lines Indicated. He
blended these with a cancels bair pencil
until they expressed the desired effect. A
touch of rouge here, and little India
ink and yellow OGRE there, and the pictu
was cOmplete-a wrinkled, Old man, hol-
lOW-cheeked, and eccentric-l looking.
Nv ait, "a bit. 1 have not finish d. he
said. ''NOw. this would be sufficiently
strong for the naked eye. but must make
up Tor the opera-g glasses, and strike a me-
dunn"
The chamois-skin was again brought
into use, and perfect transparent sur
tace was formed, showing the deep lines
beneath. The transformation was com
pleted.
"As l SAID In the beginning,o he re-
marked, turning from the glass, ga good
makeup goes great distance in this
business, and some men, although born
! between acts, as one might say. never
learn the art. Pm a villainOusIy bad actor.
| know it. But l believe this is what l
draw my little old $50 week salary for"