Well, not really. First, remember those who wore them were corseted and straight back. They also knew how to balance, consider the gowns that went with these things. Next, the wigs were constructed over wire frames and not that heavy. However, they were very tight on the head and many memoirs recount constant headaches. As the wearers often had very long hair, it was also incorporated to blend into the "construction" and offered a more secure foundation to hold the whole thing together. They were just as difficult to get off as to put on though. Sometimes, depending on the occasion, they wore them overnight and had to sleep in a chair. A nasty effect from this was head lice. This was especially the case when wearing the famous set-pieces like the ships, bird cages and battle scenes, landscapes, etc. These were for very special events, balls and cost a fortune so they got as much wear out of them as they could. Styles did change each season and these wigs became taller as Louis XVI's reign went on. Although they were considered degenerate during and after the Revolution, they are still used for fancy dress events. They take a lot of work to create, but wig specialists can do it. [so can most hairdressers, but usually not on such a large scale]. Theatre & film studios whip them up on demand, so it is not a lost art.
