The Magic of our Blood Rigs

Very early on, I knew that I wanted ribbon for blood effects in the show. Nick and Chad were on it early on, but it was hard to find something practical to use in fights where actor’s hands were both on a large weapon.

I can’t remember exactly who or how we came up with it, but we ended up with a really elegant solution that WOW'ed everyone, including ourselves. 

A collection of ribbons were held together with a pair of 10 lb rare earth magnets and then taped up with some red duct tape. Then all of the ribbons were tucked down the hakama (pants) of the target, leaving only the small taped up magnet exposed.

Then when the metal tips of the weapons were placed near the target, the blood rig would attach itself to the blade, and when the weapons was withdrawn, pull the entire rig out with it.

We weren’t able to get it to work 100% of the time. I think the largest factor was if the blood rig shifted during the fight, prior to the strike. I think out of the entire show we missed 3/27 or a 11% failure, which is OK as the fight looks great without the blood. But when they did hit, it gave the sense of spectacle that we wanted, and that is so appropriate for the kabuki style.

The ghost of Banquo torments Macbeth at his banquet.

The murderers, with their blood stained weapons, stand over the slain Banquo.

Banquo is finished with his own yari.

Chris Klein - Banquo

Chris has played many roles with KWLT over the last twelve years, including Macheath in A Beggar’s Opera, and Jack Worthington in The Importance of Being Earnest. More recently he has appeared in Ten Bare Toes productions of The Odd Couple (as Oscar) and Shadowlands (Rev. Harrington). In his spare time, Chris is a manager at a local software company, an avid homebrewer, and an awful saxophone player. He shares a cosy old house in Kitchener with a lovely and talented glass artist, two parakeets, seven finches and an inconstant number of fish.

Photography by Angela Clayfield.

Banquo in a draft of his make-up, channelling his inner Gene Simmons.

zombienormal:

Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900) One Hundred Roles of Baiko #90: The Ghost of Uto Yasukata, 1894. Oban. by Toshidama-Gallery on Flickr.

More inspiration for our Banquo. Perhaps we can work some red ribbon into his ghost over coat.

pamandjapan:

怨霊 (Onryo)

An Onryo is a spirit who is able to return to the physical world in order to seek vengeance. Appearance of their revenges were however believed vary from their former enemies’ misfortune to natural disasters. Onryo are believed to be mostly female, with wild and unkempt long black hair, pale complexion, and wearing a white burial kimono.

(via edgeofafield)

Interesting choice of material for the ghost (or witches). Captures the light nicely.