The Visit: Costume design (including hair and make-up)

Claire’s Costume

Claire, as the world’s wealthiest woman, dresses in high fashion that befits her status, serving to emphasise the stark divide between her and the poverty-stricken townsfolk. Her style is flamboyant and luxurious.
Her costume changes occasionally to denote her distinct status and her hold over the town; she might begin in more conservative attire, shifting towards more ostentatious outfits as the play progresses.
The presence of her prosthetic leg and artificial hand are essential components of her costume, signifying her past hardships and her resilience.

Ill’s Costume

Ill’s costume design should reflect his initial respectability and substantial fall from grace. He starts with relatively descent clothes (considering the context of Güllen) that get progressively shabby and worn-out as the story progresses.
In dramatic contrast to Claire, Ill’s downgrade in costume over time symbolises the town’s moral decay and his own impending doom.

Townspeople’s Costumes

The townspeople should initially be dressed in dull, worn-out clothing that corresponds to the state of Güllen. However, as Claire’s money starts to flow into the town, their outfits subtly begin to improve which mirrors the moral corruption infusing the town.
Noticeable changes in costumes (e.g. new shoes, clothes) amidst continued denial of Ill’s impending death accentuate the ironic contrast and underline the grotesque transformation of the town under the influence of Claire’s wealth.

Claire’s Entourage

The eunuchs, Roby and Toby, dress identically, which highlights their roles as Claire’s extensions rather than as individual characters.
The Butler could be dressed in a typical butler’s attire: a contrast to the sartorial poverty of the townsfolk, enhancing Claire’s remarkable wealth and power.
Hair and make-up for Claire’s entourage should accentuate their oddness and subordination to Claire.

Symbolic Hair and Make-Up

Claire’s hair and makeup, like her clothes, could be influenced by current high fashion, expressing her high status and imposing character.
Dyeing Ill’s hair, towards the end of the play, white can denote his emotional stress, impending doom and surrender.
Gradual improvement of townspeople’s appearance (cleanliness, hair grooming etc.) through the play, like their clothes, signifies the town’s transformation under Claire’s wealth.