Live Like Pigs: Costume design (including hair and make-up)

Section: Naturalistic Costume Design

In “Live Like Pigs”, the play’s setting and socio-political themes are reflected through its naturalistic costume design. The Carter family, who live in poverty, are dressed in ragged, dirty and worn-out clothes, further delineating their socio-economic position.
The costumes also help to individualise each character and indicate their different roles within the family. Character-specific details in the costumes can further reveal aspects of their personality, status, toil, or predicament, offering valuable insights to the audience.

Section: Use of Colour in Costume

The use of specific colours could play a significant part in costume design. Dull, muted tones may be used to signify the grim reality of the Carter family’s living conditions, while brighter colours may indicate hope or aspiration.
Contrasting colours could also indicate the contrast between the characters or between their aspirations and reality. This way, costumes can visually communicate the disparity existing within the play.

Section: Hair & Make-Up

In line with the minimalist aesthetic of Brechtian theatre, hair and make-up can be simple and unexaggerated, emphasizing the focus on characters’ actions and ideologies.
Unkempt, dishevelled hair and minimal makeup can be used to further portray their hardship and the austere conditions they live in. Specific choices in hair and make-up can also signal a character’s age, socio-economic status, and health.

Section: Costume as Gestus

Grimy, ragged clothing can also be used as a form of Gestus, serving a dual purpose of signifying poverty and implicitly critiquing the socio-political structure that perpetuates such social conditions.

Section: Costume Changes

Changes in costumes throughout the performance could signal a character’s development, transformation, or a change in situation. However, in keeping with the Brechtian aesthetic, such changes are likely to be minimal and symbolic rather than being literal or dramatic.
Costume changes happening in view of the audience can reinforce the Brechtian distancing effect, reminding the viewers about the constructed nature of the theatrical performance and leading to critical engagement.