Black Watch: Costume design (including hair and make-up)

Black Watch: Costume design (including hair and make-up)

Black Watch: Costume Design

  • Costume design in Black Watch helps to establish the identities of the characters and creates a sense of realism in the play.

Uniforms and Their Significance

  • The soldiers’ uniforms are kept authentic and realistic, adding to the credibility of their portrayal and the seriousness of the war context.
  • Colour-coded vests are used to represent different roles within the unit and to distinguish soldiers from each other.
  • The distinct Black Watch tartan is a significant costume element that emphasises their Scottish heritage and the history of the regiment.

Everyday Clothing

  • When the soldiers are not in their uniforms, they are dressed in more casual and roughed-up clothing that reflect their personal styles and living conditions.
  • These costumes show us their individuality and personal lives outside of the military, making them relatable and human.

Use of Accessories

  • Soldiers are often seen carrying or wearing equipments like flak jackets and weapons - these accessories are symbolic and serve as a constant reminder of their vulnerability and the omnipresent danger.

Black Watch: Hair and Make-Up

  • Hair and make-up help to augment the nuances of the characters and enhance their physicality in Black Watch.

Standards and Trims

  • Soldiers have standardised short trims or shaved heads in keeping with military protocol, another detail that supports the realistic depiction of military life.
  • This also reinforces their identity as a group rather than as individuals, underscoring themes of camaraderie and collective identity.

The Use of ‘Dirt’ Make-Up

  • The application of ‘dirt’ makeup on the soldiers’ faces during battle scenes contributes to the grim and gritty atmosphere, and helps to visually portray the harsh reality of war.
  • Dirty and tired faces highlight the physical toll that war has on soldiers, invoking empathy in the audience.

Wounds and Blood

  • Wound and blood effects are used strategically to depict the consequences of combat and the unfiltered brutality of war.
  • These effects are also crucial when commemorating or recounting past battles, emphasising the danger the soldiers face.