Description
Go behind the scenes of Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man with the Head of Wigs, Hair and Makeup (WHAM) at New Adventures and discover how the team transform dancers for one of the company’s most thrilling and physically demanding productions.
From blood and scars to wigs, find out how the WHAM team create and maintain the special effects and hair and makeup looks seen on stage.
Katie talks through quick changes and reveals some backstage tips and tricks. She explains why working in this unique world is more than a job, it’s a vocation, where the cast and creative teams become an extended family.
TIMESTAMPS
00:17 It’s always a case of trial and error
00:40 Meet Katie, Head of WHAM on The Car Man
1:14 We’re always thinking a show ahead
2:00 SFX make up
2:58 Sorting out the makeup backstage
4:00 How to create bruises demo
4:15 On-stage blood
4:54 the different industries for hair and make up
5:32 Working with the cast of The Car Man
WATCH MORE:
On set of HOLD | Making an underwater film
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD1w-Yq-61Y&list=PLAC0ZTI5pkuyMJvwoQLH2t5WLxgKJUHTo&index=6
Dressing the Peaky Blinders | Behind the Curtain with Rambert
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEUamEdTt_8&t=5s
How does a set designer create a dance show | Go behind the curtain with Our Mighty Groove
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cviqlKwngus&list=PLAC0ZTI5pkuyMJvwoQLH2t5WLxgKJUHTo&index=13&t=21s
ABOUT SADLER'S WELLS
At Sadler’s Wells we strive to make and share dance that inspires us all. On our Digital Stage and YouTube, we share dance films, documentaries, workshops, podcasts and more.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sadlers_wells/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SadlersWells/
Watch more on Digital Stage: https://www.sadlerswells.com/digital-stage
CREDITS
Featuring
Katie Allday – Head of WHAM
Ellesia Burton – WHAM Deputy
Martha Shillington – WHAM Assistant
Those listed in BTS footage:
Serena McCall
Harrison Dowzell
Callum Mann
Eve Ngbokota
Lyra Treglown
Featuring the Cast of The Car Man 2026
DOP and Editor – Anna Vialova
Producer – Fleur Bloemsma
Co-Producers Eithne Kane and Martina Ryholt
Head of Content of New Adventures – Kaasam Aziz
With thanks to:
Lez Brotherston – Set & Costume Designer
Millie Johns – WHAM Supervisor
Commissioned and Produced by Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage & Studio
Director of Digital Stage & Studio – Bia Oliveira
Senior Producer & Content Manager – Eithne Kane
Producer – Martina Ryholt
Video & Digital Specialist – Anna Vialova
Senior Digital & Content Officer – Angharad Mainwaring
Junior Videographers – James Hedgecock, Pearl Salamon-White
Digital & Content Apprentice – Queensley Osemwengie
Marketing Consultant – Izzy Madgwick
Producing and Touring and Digital Stage - Fleur Bloemsma
#TheCarMan #MatthewBourne #BehindTheScenes