The Phantom vs The Beast: A Make-Up Comparison with James Barbour

James Barbour talksabout the differences in the make up between The Beast in Beauty and The Beast and The Phantom in The Phantom Of The Opera.

[@Ione3012]

James did you notice that both musicals have one thing in common? They are related to a rose. In Phantom the rose is always displayed in conjunction with the phantom mask. You do not see the rose on stage, but you can see another flower on Stage. Do you know which flower? The Beauty and the Beast, the rose has a major role on stage. She loses rose leaf for rose leaf......

[@emilyhurt4444]

You should make a video comparing these two characters/stories and how you brought them to life

[@studiotype]

Great peek behind the scenes! So glad to have found your channel. Love to the family!

[@Livingcontradiction92]

I saw Beauty and the Beast on Broadway when I was around 8 or so and I’ve seen Phantom a few times. My most recent time was for one of my birthdays and I had the pleasure of seeing you perform. No other phantom has made me so emotional during the show so i applaud you for that. I’m also familiar with the soundtrack for Dracula the Musical that you helped create which is how I first heard you sing. Hearing you in Dracula made the decision to see you as the Phantom. I was not disappointed!!! :)

[@hansi6119]

What's the process for the wig changes in Phantom, for example before the Point of No Return? Is the Valentino wig loosened at all to make it easier for Christine to rip off? (I'm curious about the costume changes too, but that's probably another video.) Thanks!

[@JamesBarbourNow]

hansi6119 There are no wig changes per say. Te Valentino wig is on top of the other wig and is lightly tacked with spirit gum glue. By the end of the second act it is indeed loosened so that Christine can simply pluck it off the Phantoms head revealing the wig underneath.

[@hansi6119]

James Barbour Thank you! By the way, it's like 12 minutes into my 18th birthday and getting a reply from a Phantom has seriously already made my day!!!

[@JamesBarbourNow]

hansi6119 Happy Birthday! 🎂

[@cassieblanchette9754]

Amazing video! Did the makeup for phantom and mask effect your singing at all the first time you tried it (ie does it take getting used to) or does it feel strange? Curious. This was fun. Love it.

[@TheRobertParks]

Hey James, I was wondering if you could do a video on what it takes to portray the Phantom: vocally, physically, and mentally. It's one of my dream roles and would love to know your thoughts and techniques about it. Thanks

[@larainesmith4090]

Wow! Awesome!

[@madih4586]

I wish I could find a clear recording of PotO Title Song.

[@noneofyourbusiness9436]

I am in a phantom of the opera youth production what tips would you give to the cast?

[@sebastianboydtagle0751]

Have one of the prosthetics for Phantom ever gotten lose or fell off during an important scene of the show, if so what did you do ?

[@JamesBarbourNow]

Great question!!! It’s incredibly rare but sometimes they do become a bit lose, especially in the summer months when the temperatures rise. The Majestic can get quite warm under all of those lights. The make-up department at Phantom is second to none and really know their stuff so everything is at its highest leve. Nothing ever fell off and they are quick to fix anything that might be the slightest bit precarious. My head caught on fire once during a show…but that’s a different story. 👀

[@Dancingwolf325]

Out of all your roles witch three were your favorites?

[@mhallinan388]

While the Beast makeup seems rather consistent going from actor to actor, I am curious if you know if Thelma and other POTO makeup artists, created some variations in regards to the makeup for each actor and if so, to your knowledge, how they created that look?

[@JamesBarbourNow]

Mike Hallinan From what I understand the makeup is supposed to be consistent. The original designer created a template which was to be used for every production.

[@AirTravel415]

Does the Phantom remain in makeup between Shows in two show days?

[@haileygillen3]

Happy birthday to my angel of music. Love you James. Hope your day was great. Just wanted to let you know I miss you. I hope I get to meet you someday

[@haileygillen3]

Oh James I missed you. Glad to see your back. I hope I can meet you sometime. I just want to be able to talk to you and tell you how I feel. Getting a reply from you would mean the world to me.

[@dar-nakkallig]

Which is your favorite?

[@emilyhurt4444]

Another thing, has Christine ever accidentally ripped of the Valentino wig with the mask in Stranger Than You Dreamt It?

[@JamesBarbourNow]

Emily Hurt Not while I was doing the show.

[@kenhall5801]

How did they do the transformation on the Beast. I know you had the whole flying wire thing. But then you pop out without makeup? Do you have an evil twin? Lol!

[@JamesBarbourNow]

Ken Hall, Just like the chair in Phantom we aren’t permitted to disclose how the transformation works. I can tell you that it was me the entire time. I never left the stage and there were no wires at all.

[@johnmarkgordonTV]

@@JamesBarbourNow oh darn!! :) I wanted to know too ... but I am sure somewhere on the internet someone has a video about it ;)