This got me interested. I looked up some things about the whole history of Mummers, and Harlequins etc..

Which character is blacked up? If it's Beezlebub, then I have found as much evidence that RED could work just as effectively to portray that character. It it's Harlequin then the idea of either a black/white mask or face paint seems to be a common practice.

It does look like there are enough differences in the "tradition" for there to be some room to maneuver...