CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE
A COSTUHE AriD r·'iAKE-UP DESIGN OF JACQUES OFFENBACH'S
fl.
LA PERICHOIE
An abstract submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Easter of Arts in Theatre by
Van Thanh Do
January 1980
The Abstract of Van Thanh Do is approved:
David H. Scott
Owen H. Smith
John S. Furman, Chairman
California State University, Northridge
ii
CONTENTS
I.
A.
Definitions •
1
;::;
Statement of the problem
2
J.J.
II.
BACKGROUND AND DESIGN CONCEPT • Study of the script
2
B.
Research
3
....
Preparation of the Costume Design
3
1.
General procedures a.;
The Chorus
b.
Leading Characters
ANALYSIS
A.
B. IV.
2
A.
"'·
III.
1
T.l:ill PROBIEr-1 •
3
5 6
Design Concept and its Execution
6
1,
Line and Mass
6
2.
Colours
7
3. Textures
7
4.
Ornaments and Accessories
7
5.
T1Iake-up
8
•
Final Product
8
SU!'il1lARY AND CONCLUSION
10
A.
Summary
10
B.
Conclusion
10
BIBLIOGRAPHY
12
iii
CON'll:;HTS (cant 1 d.)
R..~lmERINGS
15
PHOTOGRAPHS
21
iv
ABSTRACT
A COSTID'IE AN"D
~'lAKE-UP
DESIGN OF JACQUES OFFENBACH'S
LA PERICHOI.E
by Van Thanh Do Haster of Arts in Theatre
I.
A. Definitions.
THE PROBlEM
Stage costuming and make-up must be in accordance
1-rith the interpretatiYe ideas of the director, and, of course, subject to his approval. The chief tools used by the costume and make-up designer are line, mass, colour, texture, ornaments, and accessories. The costume designer need not totally build the costumes or execute the designs single-handedly,
b~t
experience in these fields will
enhance the designer's abilities as an artist in the special field of costume design.
1
2
B. Statement of the problem.
It was the purpose of this project
(1) to design costumes and make-up for the forty-five principals and chorus members of the production of Jacques Offenbach's opera-bouffe La Perichole at California State University, Northridge, on October 28, 29, November 2, 4, and 6, 1977; (2) to select and buy the materials needed; (3) to organize costume and make-up cre1-rs; and (4) to supervise the construction of the show.
II. BACKGROUND Al'W DESIGN CONCEPI'
A. Study of the scrint.
In this case, the script Has the libretto
by Henri i·!eilhac a.>1d Ludovic Halevy for the f'Ietropolitan Opera version in English of La Perichole.
La Perichole Has written in 1868 for a Paris Hhich, as yet, "lmeH neither the humiliation nor the cost of defeat, a Paris still joyously imperial, a city of rustling crinolines and magnificent uniforms, of elegant carriages and top-hatted dandies • . • "
1
The plot revolves around the love story betHeen Perichole and Paquillo, tHo street singers in Lima, Peru. The time is a certain day in Spring, toHard the middle of the nineteenth century, and it is the
1
r·1aurice Valency, "La Perichole: French Hi thout Tears,"
Theatre Arts, Jan. 1957, p.J4.
3
birthday of the capital' rJler, the Viceroy Don Andres de Ribeira. After many misfortunes, a lovers' fight, and a stay in the capital's jail, the tHo lovers 1-dll finally be reunited Ni th the benediction of the Viceroy. This is "an utterly charming story, and i t is fundamentally joyous, impudent, and melodious. It Has intended primarily to amuse the audience, not to edify it or to arouse in it magnificent emotions. The general mood is keen, bright, spirited, and, above all, witty. The operetta had room for sentiment, but the sentimental moment Has never protracted into seriousness. The plot was simple, but pleasantly fantastic in its conception, and inexorably realistic in its vie1·r of life. It ridiculed everything, all that Has hypocritical, pompous, solemn, and bombastic. Yet, it Has chic, literate, znd in excellent taste, often naughty, never baHdy."
B. Research.
An intensive study of costume bool
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