Thread: Intro & need advice re shaving for theater--Sweeney Todd

Originally Posted by CraigJ

Just make sure tou use a very very dull blade and wipe off the lather with it. Don't go for realism and try to actually shave somebody on stage. Shaving with a straight requires concentration. I would not want to be shaved by somebody that is performing also.

I totally agree with this gentleman.

Cassady:

Is this the diagram you remember:



There are *some* indications of shave direction on this website:

http://officialwebsite.us/propershavingdirections.html

But I leave it to the guys here to pass judgement on that before you take them as gospel.

+1 on the dull blade. Nothing like a musical number going on around you while someone has a shave ready straight to your throat

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

So is Xman, but then he's Canadian.

Ouch! dem's fightin words

Originally Posted by sidneykidney

Cassady:

Is this the diagram you remember:

If I remember correctly, it was one very much like that, but I recall a different face angle. But looks like that one would do fine!

cass

Looking at that diagram again it appears that a XTG pass is being recommended on the cheeks first time round. I ALWAYS go WTG on a first pass on the cheeks. I think most folks do the same.

Thanks everyone. Yes, of course the razors will be completely dull. There's no way you can have something that dangerous onstage...even if they weren't being used to "shave" people, and were just props on the table, they would be dulled. In rehearsal the blades are covered with orange tape so actors don't get nervous...

The shaves can't be very complicated, so I think they will basically be doing with the grain, not too many strokes...and hopefully the actors can maintain a decent angle, it looked like the razor was going towards 90 degrees yesterday!

I don't know if any of you have seen the British movie version of Sweeney Todd starring Ray Winstone (a great actor). There are quite a few shaving scenes that look quite accurate to my untutored eye. It's a very different story from the Sondheim version, but excellent performances in the lead roles. (It's currently in rotation on IFC if you happen to catch it.)

Best of luck with the play!