Member Article

The things we do for love

With Dr Simon Raybould, Curved Vision Theatre

It’s that time of year again – when people who love the theatre (and some who just love the RSC) find themselves struggling to get tickets. Me included. In case you didn’t know, it’s the annual visit to Newcastle by the Royal Shakespeare Company: and for me it’s personal, because many any of the techniques we use at Curved Vision to help people develop voices which are credible and authentic – and which carry to the back of the room – were first ‘formalised’ by Cissy Berry, ex Head of Voice at the RSC.

If you ever get time or chance to think about it, just sit back and think for a moment about how far it is from the back of the stage to the back of the Theatre Royal’s auditorium. Then think about the lack of microphones. Then be impressed.

There’s no tip today – just this observation: the next time your want to use a mic (or a conference organiser tries to make you do so) ask yourself (or them!) if it’s really necessary. An amplified voice is never as good as the real thing and if you’re projecting your voice correctly (not shouting!) you should be fine.

And, of course, if you want some advice a little nearer to home than the RSC’s home in Stratford I’m always happy to do what I can on sme@curved-vision.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .