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The Art of Theatrical Make-up

Chapter 34: SIR THOMAS MORE
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About This Book

This work explores the techniques and principles of theatrical make-up, drawing from the author's extensive experience in the performing arts. It reflects on the evolution of the author's own photographic studies, which document various characters portrayed on stage. The text combines insights from psychology, physiognomy, and character portrayal, offering a unique perspective on the art of make-up in theater. It also addresses the requests from fellow actors for guidance in their make-up applications, indicating a broader interest in the subject within the acting community. The author's observations of renowned figures in theater further enrich the content, providing practical advice and artistic insights.

THE SOUL STRUGGLE

In this, physical expression is given to the profound spiritual conflict that takes place within a man of definitely dual personality.

He alternately comes under good and evil influences, each transition coming suddenly. As the changes occur while the character is in view of the audience, the whole effect has to be produced by the altered expression of face and of form.

When working this character up I studied the effect in a full-length mirror, striving constantly to make one character more and more dignified, while the other was persistently degraded, till, ultimately, I attained the most distinctive contrast of character that it was possible to achieve without the aid of artificial make-up.

SIR THOMAS MORE

This print is included that it may be compared with the actual Holbein print. It shows how important accuracy of detail in the costuming of a part is.

When I impersonated this character in the Chelsea Pageant, every London paper commented on the success of the make-up, the Times saying, if the Chancellor were to rise from the grave even he could hardly tell the difference between us; the Standard, that I realised Holbein's portrait with startling fidelity, and the Daily News, that I looked as if I had stepped directly out of Holbein's well-known canvas; while the Sketch and Referee called me a living Holbein.