Following sellout seasons in Manchester, Toronto and at London’s Coliseum, Bat Out of Hell, the riotous musical set to the songs of Meat Loaf, has returned to the capital at the Dominion Theatre. To mark the occasion, we went backstage to discover what it takes to create the eighties glam rock looks and discover how the performers keep their make-up looking flawless for a whole night on the stage.

“The make-up needs to be strong enough to be seen throughout the auditorium yet look believable on the big billboard screens,” Maria Johal, Deputy Head of Hair and Makeup, explained.

“Products that are long-lasting are key. With the hot lights of the stage and the energetic dance scenes, the make-up needs to withstand sweat,” Johal added.

While the show’s make-up artists design the original looks in conjunction with the costume team, it’s the performers themselves who create their face every night before hitting the stage.

Subsequently, these West End actresses are a dab hand with a make-up brush and experts at completing a look in rapid time. They also know a thing or two about longwear make-up and the tried-and-tested ways to remove it.

Here, three of the show’s lead stars share what’s in their dressing room…

3 of our favourite West End stars share their backstage make-up secrets