Behind the scenes of Salome: How to make a severed head
A sneak preview of our new film showing our Prop Department creating the head of John the Baptist.
Props artist Steve Jolley working on the severed head prop used in Salome © David Kaplowitz/ROH 2012
One of the most dramatic moments in David McVicar’s production of Salome sees the blood-drenched titular character passionately caress and kiss the severed head of John the Baptist.
In this year’s production, John the Baptist, previously sung by Johan Reuter in 2010 – will be played by Egils Silins. Over the last couple of months, prop artist Steve Jolley has been busy working to create a new head ‘double’ for the Latvian singer and we have filmed the process.
Our short film will show the grisly head developing from an inert lump of clay to a blood-spurting, severed stump.
Taking note of everything from the shape of the inner-nostrils, to the depth of the wrinkles, to the thickness of the eyebrows, the Props team have worked with painstakingly to produce a convincing likeness of the singer.Our film will show the transformation stage-by-stage and offer a unique insight into the extensive work that goes on behind the scenes at the Royal Opera House
Take a look at our image gallery for a further glimpse into this fascinating – and slightly gruesome – process:
Remember back in the seventies, the wig dept working on the head...hung it to dry hanging on the beams of the then wig room.....Fireman nearly had heart attack when he swung his torch around. Shows how realistic they look.
You folks are good at those heads.
Too Gorey for me though.
If there was two of them and they spoke they would be - Talking Heads