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| John Thornton |
There is no denying
that there is something very attractive about a man in period
costume, the big question is why, exactly? And I should mention
upfront that not every actor who appears in period costume develops
a legion of adoring fans, so what is the difference between those who
simply play a period part, and whose who make us have very some impure
thoughts while playing a period role?
I recall Richard once
saying how the costume of John Thornton, with it's stiff high collar
and cravat, made him hold himself more upright which helped him
inhabit the somewhat “stiff” character. Indeed as he also pointed
out, the moments when the cravat come off are some of the most
telling in the series. (His comments on
Thornton's costumes
here, at about 2.30)
He also said of his
character Percy Courtney
“The costumes are
surprisingly more restricting than other dramas I’ve done; they
make sure every single little hair is in place.” [Hat Trick
Productions press pack ]
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| Percy Courtney |
So perhaps it is this
very “stiffness” and the resulting restrictions they place on a
character and actor that makes these costumes so very appealing, for
both the actor, and consequently the character is bound within their
costume, which can be seen as a metaphor for the restrictive morals
and etiquette of the day.
Where as modern drama
might convey sexual attraction with a wink, a smile or perhaps a
suggestive remark, the period actor cannot be so forward. Sexual
attraction must instead smoulder, just below the surface so that
society cannot pass judgement.
The good actor will
still be able to show interest with his eyes, with his voice, with
every fibre of his being without needing to resort to more modern
overt methods of flirtation. I believe it is this very tease which
makes period costume so very appealing; we the viewer are allowed a
glimpse of the desire and are drawn in by it, desperate for more.
After all, if a character can show that much emotion just with his
eyes and the set of his shoulders, imagine the depths of the passion
that could be lurking below that prim exterior!!!
And now for some
gratuitous screen caps of Richard Armitage in Victorian costume, which
let's face it, is really why you came!
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| Thornton with top hat! Yum! |
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| Percy got a little bit of variety and branched out from the usual black |
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| Thornton, sans cravat. |
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| And Percy in grey. |
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| Okay, so Thornton got to mix it up a little too, with a gold (cream? vanilla?) cravat |
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| I must say, prefer Thornton's sideburns to the moustache |
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| Guh! |
Oh my makes me wish he was playing my love interest is this dang production instead of the one I got.
ReplyDeleteRichard please come and show him how it's done!!!!!
time for an ICE bath!!!!
What production are you in, if you don't mind me asking?
DeleteThose John Thornton screencaps are very appealing, especially since I feel I know the character so well from the book and TV series.
ReplyDeleteWell I do try and present him in a good light, even if he's playing bad guys! ;)
DeleteThe period drama white shirt when the cravat comes off is far more appealing than the buff shirtless chest for me. I've never worked out why. I love all your pictures of Thornton and confess that I've never seen Miss Marie Lloyd.
ReplyDeleteI think men in clothes are far sexier than naked men (with exceptions to things like shell suits).
DeleteI don't know why, but even shirtless John Porter doesn't get my pulse racing (though I would like to see if that effect differs in reality. You know, just for scientific purposes!)
My favourite clothes are 1) a white naval uniform. 2) a Tuxedo and 3) a well tailored suit.
I saw a quote on facebook a while back that said "Suits are to women, what lingerie is to men". So true!
Very insightful post. I agree with everything you say, especially the smolder underneath the very stiff and formal clothes. I think that's much sexier than leaving nothing to the imagination.
ReplyDeleteI think also that some actors, Richard being the perfect example, feel at home, feel real, in whatever period of time they are playing, and that adds to their appeal. There are other actors who look like they're wearing fancy dress for a party and not really of the time. Oh, and I actually like RA as Percy. He's a rake and a cad, but he does it very well :)
Thank you.
DeleteI loved Percy to begin with but his later actions completely turned me off him. Still, I must admit that RA played him to perfection, the good and the bad.
And I didn't like the brillcreamed look to his hair, that's never flattering.