>Non-period facial AND head hair.

OK ... this is a place where I have had a quandary. I have hair that is too long for the 19th century. Heck it is generally too long for ANY century.

I have played, in the past, military characters who were given special dispensation from the crown to wear their hair long, and they flaunted it. (Of course, they were also known for speaking with a lisp since their Royal sponsor had one.) Over the years, I moved away from that character, and have tried various ways of hiding/disguising my hair. (It is long for very personal reasons, and those reasons are not likely to change by the end of Dickens.)

The idea of a wig was tossed about, but I have not yet found one that looked either appropriate or natural.

Any suggestions?

(For those who don't know, my hair is currently down to the bottom of my rib cage.)

>And put some thought into how your costume reflects your character.

That's my biggest peeve; I'm far from a Dickens scholar, but if I find myself saying "So and so wouldn't wear that." I have nothing against playing two characters, and not everyone has the commitment and resources to have two costumes as obviously different as, say, Mr. Mantalini and Sir Mulberry (although anyone with eyes could tell who you were being from your attitude). But, for heaven's sakes, CHANGE SOMETHING EASILY NOTICEABLE! Half the round-robin seems to be "If I am wearing this 1" by 2" pin and the brass watch-fob instead of the bronze one, I am playing a different character." At LEAST a different jacket.

(EXTREMELY personal peeve: I do not like to see Miss Gradgrinds/Mrs.Bounderbys [Bounderbies?] wearing flowers or birds on their hats--most illogical.)

The floppy bows or collars too small for cravats work for a climbing or clueless character, not so much for dandies or gentlemen of means.