Ramble #8 ... Time to make up

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When I first started in theatre professionally, in fact well before that, there was only one theatrical stage make up that was THE makeup to use.

That was Leichner Stage Makeup.. yes, Greasepaint as in the saying ‘Roar of the crowd and the smell of the greasepaint.’ Or as it was later to become the title of a musical: ‘The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd.’

Anyway… This is what I was trained in and to me the smell, the feel, the stuff itself is a big part of live theatre. You knew where you stood with it. A No. 5 & 7, lake , blending powder and the powerful removal cream that was twice as greasy as the makeup itself and had a distinctive aroma all of its own. All of this wafting through out the dressing rooms and backstage.

There were a couple of theatrical shops that sold a full range of it in Sydney (Aust) and most ballet shops sold it as well. But….

Alas, these days, although the Leichner company still exists there are no longer any shopfront outlets selling this grandfather of the industry.

I have resorted to the modern non-grease makeup but it is nowhere near the same in quality or atmosphere.

I could not take it any longer… for my recent run on stage I wanted my old friends. So online I jump and a few days later my dear, dear friends arrive from London.

It’s so great that my young fellow cast now get to experience one of the essences of real live theatre; Greasepaint.. they will never forget it!