About Jackie Saundercock and Campbell Young Associates: Wigs, Hair and Make-Up
There’s something incredibly magical about going to the theatre. From the staging and sets to the music and costumes, the best productions envelop you in their world, delivering an immersive experience that enchants you. Creating this magic takes hours and hours of work, with set designers, props managers, costume designers and makeup artists all going above and beyond to perfect every last detail. The hair and makeup of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, Starlight Express, are particularly intricate. Here, we delve into the work of the show’s wig, hair and makeup designers, Jackie Saundercock and Campbell Young Associates.
About Jackie Saundercock
Jackie Saundercock is a distinguished British wig maker and hair designer, renowned for her contributions to theatre and film including the hugely popular Starlight Express theatre show where her work plays a pivotal role in the production’s unique storytelling.
Jackie was behind the makeup designs for each cast member, ensuring they are easily recognisable on stage. Since the show does not have a makeup artist present each night, she had to train each actor to perfect their own makeup.
Jackie is a key collaborator at Campbell Young Associates, and in recognition of her exceptional work, Jackie and the team won the 25th annual WhatsOnStage Awards for the Best Wigs, Hair and Make-Up Design category.
About Campbell Young Associates
When it comes to theatre production, it’s essential for the audience to recognise each character easily, from wherever they’re sitting in the auditorium. This requires a specialised team to highlight key features of each character. Campbell Young Associates, co-founded by Campbell John Young, do just this, specialising in hair, wigs and makeup design for theatrical productions. The company has a distinguished portfolio, having worked on multiple West End and Broadway shows from Oliver!, The Bodyguard and The Devil Wears Prada to King Lear and The Crucible.
The wigs are handmade from human hair by specialists who use traditional methods to perfectly replicate natural hair. The studio creates bespoke wigs for shows such as Starlight Express, as well as holding a stock of wigs that can be rented by theatre, TV and film companies.
The specific details about each wig created for shows like Starlight Express are not publicly disclosed, but the design team used an array of colours and style to ensure each character stands out on stage. As they were creating styles for such a fast-paced show, the team also had to ensure the wigs were secure and that each performer felt as comfortable as possible.
If you want to see the work of Jackie Saundercock and Campbell Young Associates first-hand, book your Starlight Express tickets today with KX Tickets. Updated for a modern audience, the production has proved astonishingly successful, triumphing at the 2025 WhatsOnStage Awards, where it secured no fewer than seven accolades, including Best Musical Revival, Best Costume Design and Best Professional Debut for lead actor Jeevan Braich. Hop aboard the Starlight Express today and enjoy the ride of a lifetime!
