makeup

Before a show there are hours of preparation that, if we have done it well, no one is aware of.

For me as a sound tech that means getting all the radio mics batteried up and tested, putting them on the cast (in the right place), checking they are still working and are all at the correct levels, testing all the speakers, then the final task of putting a jolly CD on for the audience to arrive to.

There are others who are there hours before ironing costumes, checking all the props are where they should be, doing the casts hair, make-up, calling them into position at the correct time, opening curtains, running lighting, moving spot lights, selling programmes, showing people to their seats . . . .

In short it takes a small army to put on a pantomime before you even get to the 60+ people on stage.

Today I have chosen to highlight the task of the make-up team, they have to sort out everyone's make-up, eyelashes, body jewellery, etc they have to disguise the microphones we stick on them all and at the end of the night its all wiped off and they have to start again from scratch in the morning !

Hooray for the make-up team !