Makeup makes all the difference

Makeup artist Marie Huston turns Alethea Chittenden into Grizabella. Photo by Linda Robertson.
Makeup artist Marie Huston turns Alethea Chittenden into Grizabella. Photo by Linda Robertson.
One of the most talented people involved in the Dunedin Operatic production of Cats won't even be on stage.

Christchurch makeup artist Marie Huston had the task of turning the 44 cast members into fantastic felines.

"It's been a big undertaking. Everybody has a particular makeup style, based on their costume and their character," Huston said.

"Each individual person in the cast had their makeup done and was then photographed and notes were taken. After that, we gave them all a little makeup kit with everything they need in it, so they can do their own.

"With 40 people in the cast, they all have to be able to do their own makeup," she said.

"A lot of the people seem to use the time when they're applying their makeup to get into character and become the cat.

"It's been really interesting to see them get into character.

"You'd get them to close their eyes while you were doing their faces, and when they opened their eyes afterwards, you could see the realisation . . . 'I am a cat'."

The costumes and makeup were designed by director Stephen Robertson.

"It's taken a phenomenal amount of makeup. I'd hate to think what the budget was for all the makeup," Huston said.

"Some of the costumes are quite avant-garde and abstract, but they all have an element of cat and human. At times, it's almost like an avant-garde fashion show."

The Cats cast has enjoyed the moggie makeover.

Alethea Chittenden, who plays the female lead, Grizabella, said: "It's been fun. Marie's been spending time with every single cast member, to get their makeup right.

"Everybody has their own individual cat character. She's done an absolutely amazing job. With your costume and makeup on, you really feel like you are a cat."

 

Add a Comment