J'AIME MARCH 2019

suit some actors so we have to change them around,
or that Russell’s interpretation has been different to
mine so a mask might sit on the shelf for a bit before
we find a role for it.
“This mask of Ryan had a really tiny role in a
previous show, The Best Thing, but it was a mask
that I loved so much it got the main role in this show.
The masks really can take on a life of their own.”
And while it might seem the lack of both dialogue
and ability to express yourself facially might provide
a challenge for the actors, Rachael says that’s
definitely not the case.
“Actually you have both,” she explains. “When
you’re behind the mask you pull all of the facial
expressions, and often when you perform in a mask,
when you take it off your face hurts because of all of
the expressions you pull.
“There’s also a script so you also have an internal
monologue, or if there are two people on stage an
internal dialogue. We often rehearse without masks
on so we absolutely know the economy of words,
economy of movement, the changes of pace, angles
of the masks, and it’s the actors’ job to make their
internal monologue end up in the audience’s brain.
That’s the incredible link between a masked actor
and the audience.”
Inspiring original music, clever projections and
innovative design with lighting and costumes all help
to add to the fully immersive experience that is a
Vamos Theatre production.
Rachael is hoping A Brave Face will appeal to
civilians and veteran alikes and understands
that, with the subject matter at hand, audience
members who are veterans or living with military
Post-Traumatic Stress might find certain scenes
distressing. With this in mind, the company is
encouraging venues to put on Chilled Performances,
which have slight adjustments made to reduce the
possibility of triggers and provide additional support
for those who could be affected by the show.
“With A Brave Face, I want to raise awareness within
civilian society of something I was so ignorant and
naive and blasé about,” says Rachael. “And now, I
have as much respect for military as I do for doctors,
nurses, firefighters and the police.”
“As civilians, we can never know what military life is
like, and we don’t want to. We just want to sleep well
in our beds at night and we don’t worry about other
people having to follow orders and carry out actions
that they may not agree with, and living with the
guilt and shame and those traumas that are built up,
when they’re just doing their jobs.”
A Brave Face is touring the UK and Germany,
coming to the Lichfield Garrick on March 30. For
more details visit www.vamostheatre.co.uk and
to book tickets call the Garrick box office on 01543
412121 or visit www.lichfieldgarrick.com
FULL MASK THEATRE
LENDS ITSELF PERFECTLY
TO EMOTIONAL
STORYTELLING
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