Sophie's on set for The War of the Worlds

FdA Specialist Hair & Media Make-Up student Sophie Sheridan gained some great paid industry experience by working on Jeff Wayne’s popular musical of HG Wells’ ‘The War of the Worlds’. 

Following its triumphant UK and European arena tour in 2012, the ground-breaking musical is touring for the sixth and final time. The show features a stellar cast including Brian McFadden, Jason Donovan and Liam Neeson as the journalist George Herbert. 

Sophie seized the opportunity to work on the performance after receiving a call from a family friend who works as a producer. One of the musical’s main make-up artists was away and they needed some extra help on set. Excited about the fantastic opportunity, Sophie quickly packed her make-up kit and headed to Northampton. 

“It was quite daunting at first as I was on my own for my very first job,” Sophie admits, “But after my first day they kept asking me to come back. Sometimes I was with another make-up artist and sometimes I would be working on my own.” 

Sophie’s main responsibilities included making sure that the actors, actresses and extras had all their hair and make-up completed on time as well as checking their costumes, hair and make-up for continuity purposes. During filming, she had to be on stand-by behind the cameras and monitors for touch-ups and to tone down any shine that may appear on faces as a result of the heat of the lighting. 

“I have absolutely loved working on this production and this is definitely an area that I want to go into. I have met so many great people and got the chance to work with the director and producer of the musical as well as celebrities such as Brian McFadden and Jason Donovan. 

“For my first job it was unbelievable to have this great opportunity to gain experience.” 

The tour begins in late November, and will be performed in Birmingham’s LG Arena on Friday 5 December.