The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-11-14
ART OF MAKING-UP.
Different Methods Used by Actors for
Stage Characters.

Stage Characters.
New York Commercial Advertiser:
People in general way know that
actors are obliged to paint, but to what
extent and in what way, is a sealed
book to the uninitiated The average
theatre-goer does not recognize in the
decrepit old man tottering beneath his
mimic woes the Smooth-faced youth
whom he passed but a short while be-
tore IN the theatre lobby, and in the in
genlouS golden-haired maiden who
dances and sings for his pleasure. he
ooes not see the mature and settled
mother whose children at that very
moment may be playing in the dressing
room. This is what makeup does for
the actor. 1t is the secret which re-
stores youth, the magical lamp which
creates transformations as wonderful
as those Of Aladdin
The idea of making UP is not new.
When artificial lighting was introduced
into the theatre, it became necessary
to flnd some means of counteracting its
effect. Actors appearing on the stage
without makeup take on CHASTITY APP
pearance, and in comic opera, bur-
leSque and spectacular plays, where
many calciurns are used, the people are
obliged to use the darkest kind of rouge
and apply it in large quantities. The
art, like everything else connected with
the theatre. has made decided adj
NanceS. AT SadlerS Wells" the actors
makeup consisted of a bit of white
wash rubbed from the walls, a touch of
paint and a smudge of SCOT from the
chimney; it is no uncommon thing to
hear an old actor refer to a bad make
UP as a "Sadlers Wells makeup" To-
day every detail is carefully considered.
juvenile nrOfPS-
sionally termed, "a straight makeup"
is by no means so difficult as making
up for character, it is not easy to do
we'll without study and practice.
The use of colors has such peculiar
effects under the light that the novice's
efforts frequently result in disaster to
the general appearance. Many pretty
face becomes homely in the glare of the
foot1ghts. For example, rouge is used
in the theatre, not only to give color,
but also to fill out hollows. Now. if a
person with a naturally plump face
applies rouge to the cheeks, the result
is an exaggerated appearance of fat
ness. So, too, a dark line over the eye
drawn in certain way, indicates
fierce or savage temperament, and the
gentle heroine is transformed into a
virago.
In general however, the straight
ton of a grease paint to the entire face,
a few touches of rouge where fullness
is required and a lining of the eyes
with blue or black to add brilliancy to
them. For the chacater makeup much
more is required Here the actor must
efface his own appearance and Drac-
tically paint a portrait with his own
| features as the groundwork. To do
this successfully requires skill, intelli-
IA no
comes painter, modeler and anatom-
ist. He is obliged to study the
facial peculiarities of the man he seeks
to reproduce, and frequently where he
has no model at hand, he must make a
scientific study of the effects of certain
lines of conduct and certain phases of
temperament. Thus, if he would repre-
sent an opium eater, or a man given to
strong drink, the anaemic patient or
the sedentary student. he must know
| their general physical characteristics,
in order to make his portTaiture typi-
cal.
Considering these requirements. it is
hardly necessary to say that an artist in
makeup is rare. j. L. Dobson. of the
Empire company, is probably at the
head of those in America. Mr.. Dobson' S
| make-ups are like finely painted minia-
| lures. and do not need the glare of
| the theatre to be effective The closest
inspection fails to reveal the paint lines,
and the make-ups and characterize
lions are true to.life. Joseph Jefferson
is hardly obliged to makeup at all,
| though as Gohghtiys in Lend Me Five
Shillings. he DISCUSSES his age under
a blonde wig and an occasional touch
of rouge; so, too, in the earlier scenes
of Rip, but in the last two acts of the
play, Mr.. Jeffersons age lends itself to
1I,n n,,Ir-
of white wig and beard is necessary
E. III. Hollands make-ups have long
been considered artistic and Richard
Mansfield IS a master.
Mr.. Mansfield has many original