Seán O’Casey’s The Silver Tassie (1927–28) marks a bold pivot from his realist Dublin trilogy to a striking Expressionist form. Set against the backdrop of World War I, the four-act play follows Harry Heegan, a celebrated footballer whose life is irrevocably altered by war, moving from youthful heroism to physical and emotional ruin.
The play’s second act—a surreal, choral depiction of the front lines—stands as a landmark in modern theatre, using non-naturalistic techniques to portray the psychological disintegration of soldiers. O’Casey offers a fierce critique of imperialism and the romanticism of war, challenging audiences with both form and content.
Rejected by the Abbey Theatre for its stylistic daring and political edge, The Silver Tassie cemented O’Casey’s role as a dramatist unafraid to confront national myths and theatrical convention. It remains a seminal anti-war work and a cornerstone of 20th-century Irish drama.
trial
Please note that the makeup look featured was created as part of a trial application and is intended to showcase technique and creative direction. It may not represent the final polished version, which will be refined and tailored to meet the specific vision and requirements of each client or project.
trial
The colour palette used in this look was selected for experimental purposes and may differ from the tones chosen for final applications. As each project or client requires a tailored approach, final colour selections will be carefully curated to complement individual features, preferences, and the overall aesthetic direction.
application - gelatine mould
Gelatine moulds are a versatile and widely used material in special effects makeup, offering a realistic and flexible option for creating prosthetic pieces such as wounds, scars, and facial features. Their skin-safe properties and ease of blending make them ideal for both short- and medium-duration applications. Gelatine can be melted, poured into custom moulds, and sculpted directly onto the skin to achieve seamless transitions and lifelike textures. Once applied, it can be painted and detailed to match skin tones or enhance character effects, making it an essential technique for both film and theatrical makeup artistry.
application - gelatine mould
Once applied, it can be painted and detailed to match skin tones or enhance character effects, making it an essential technique for both film and theatrical makeup artistry.
final look
Once the gelatine mould is securely applied and blended, the final look is brought to life through detailed colouring techniques using IPA (isopropyl alcohol)–activated palettes. These palettes provide a long-lasting, realistic finish and allow for precise layering of colour, texture, and depth. By building up translucent washes and subtle variations, the skin-like quality of the gelatine is enhanced, creating a believable and dynamic effect. Additional mediums such as creams, pigments, and blood effects may also be used to further refine the character or injury, ensuring the finished result is both visually impactful and professionally executed for camera or stage
Extra character
I’m exploring a new character with an innovative prosthetic piece for an upcoming project. This allows me to experiment with different techniques and showcase my versatility as a makeup artist. The prosthetic not only enhances the character's appearance but also adds depth to their backstory and performance. I’m excited to include this in my portfolio to highlight both the creative process and the final transformation
extra character - colouring
I focused on coloring the prosthetic piece using a combination of high-quality creams to achieve a realistic, textured finish. The cream-based pigments allowed for smooth application and easy blending, ensuring that the prosthetic seamlessly matched the skin tone and details. By layering different shades, I was able to enhance depth and dimension, creating a more lifelike and dynamic effect. This method is ideal for achieving subtle transitions and natural highlights, offering a polished, professional look.