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Backstage Page

Sound | Lights | Make-Up | Music | Stage Management | Scenery & Props | Publicity | Executive | Wardrobe | Front of House | Stage Crew | Chaperoning

There are so many different aspect to backstage that the above summary is insufficient. We always need willing volunteers. If you go to any Cast/Crew list relating to any of our Past Shows, the backstage crew always outnumber the performers, and are the backbone of any production. The work is interesting, and creative, though not necessarily as time consuming as rehearsing and performing.

Sound

Every production requires sound, both in the form of, for example, a gun shot, as well as background music before the curtain goes up, and at the interval. Certain parts of the show are sometimes pre-recorded, and played back during the show.

In every show we use our own wireless microphones, which have to be thoroughly checked and organised. They are expensive, and have to be reliable, otherwise the actors/actresses cannot be heard over the music at a live show. This is the job of the sound engineer, who must devise a microphone plan (often microphones are shared between cast members if there are not enough to go round), and ensure that the correct mics go to the correct perfomers, otherwise chaos can ensue. All the microphones have numbers.

There are transmitters on the microphones which feed back into the sound desk. The sound engineer controls the volumes of each mic, which can be finely critical as everyone's voice is different. It is also his/her responsibility to make sure they are faded in and out when the actor comes on stage. Otherwise the audience would be able to hear what is being said both on and off stage.

If you are interested in this area of back-stage, then either contact us through the contact page, and/or fill in our non-performer's membership appplication form.

Lights

Good lighting is absolutely essential for each production, particularly in a modern theatre. Technology has improved enormously over the last few years, and the scope of effects, which lights can generate is enormous. With bottomless pockets, lights and effects can almost replace scenery, and other effects.

The lighting engineer must work closely with the producer, and other back stage staff to co-ordinate the operation of the lights at the right time, in order to produce the required mood and effect on stage.

Well before the show a vague lighting plan must be made in order to make sure we have enough lights/effects to cover the show, and if not hire the correct equipment. Smoke machines, for example come under the ambit of lights. Pyrotechnics carr their very own list of precautions, and safety requirements.

In the days leading up to any show, the lighting engineer must erect the lights he needs, on top of what the theatre may or may not provide, ensure they work, then create a lighting plan of the production for approval by the producer.

We use a computer program to set up the lighting plan, so that at the push of a button a pre-set display of lights will appear in sequence, sometimes in quick succession, and in such a way that would not be possible to create manually.

The lights are an essential part of any colourful musical show.

If you are interested in this area of back-stage, then either contact us through the contact page, and/or fill in our non-performer's membership application form.

Make-up

Many of the cast do their own make-up, which is of a basic male/female type. Certain parts, however, require skilled make-up, and someone experienced in the application of specialist make-up.

In Pantomimes, the Dame always requires specialist make-up if the part is to be at all convincing, and men who play the parts often are not skilled in this area.

Skilled make-up artists are always in short supply.

If you are interested in this area of back-stage, then either contact us through the contact page, and/or fill in our non-performer's membership application form.

Music

What is a Musical without music? Good music is thankfully composed by others, to whom we pay royalties. Adaption and arrangement of the original is always required, however, for each show. That is the skill of the musical director.

The musical director works with the producer to choose the right music for a show. In a bespoke musical the music for the show is prescribed by the writer, but with pantomime, the music has to be chosen to suit the scene, performer, and mood. Much thought always goes into choosing the right music for the show, which will appeal the wide ranging tastes of our audience.

We usually produce three shows a year including a musical in October, a pantomime in January, and a musical variety show in May. For the Variety show, music has to be chosen by the producer and musical director together, then adapted, and arranged to suit the cast, and show.

Musical directors typically have some experience in either schools or colleges of putting on shows, but can be drawn from musically talented individuals who have creative flaire.

The Director spends some time with the cast at the beginning of rehearsals teaching them the songs from the shows, and allocating solos where appropriate.

If you are interested in this area of back-stage, then either contact us through the contact page, and/or fill in our non-performer's membership application form.

Stage Management

Every production has to be managed backstage by an individual who is in absolute charge of everything that goes on backstage be it light, sound, props etc. It is his/her job to make sure all the scenery and props arrive at the theatre on time, and are removed after the show. He/she works very closely with the producer and other backstage crew. It is his/her job to make sure the scenery is built to the design decided by the producer, and if necessary to design it. The stage manager is also in charge of health and safety of all at the theatre for the run of the show. The stage manager has to make sure that the scenery is put on an off stage at the right time during the show, and that all the performers behave themselves during the run of the show, whilst in the stage area.

The Assistant Stage Manager sits at the stage manager's desk, and works off cues in the script, and makes sure the various pieces of stage scenery and backclothes/curtains are operated and put into position by the stage crew, who are stationed all over the stage area.

Backclothes are usually operated from above the stage on a balcony where there is no direct line of sight or sound.

Thus the assistant stage manager has to be in radio communication with the stage crew, sound, and lighting desks throughout the production. He/she gives cues ahead of time to make sure everything appears at the right time and runs like clockwork.

The stage manager decides when the show is ready to start, and gives the signal for curtain up to the stage crew member.

If you are interested in this area of back-stage, then either contact us through the contact page, and/or fill in our non-performer's membership application form.

Scenery & Props

This category should speak for itself. Each production always calls for a large selection of props and scenery, which are the responsibility of the properties and scenery department.

Props

Often props which are contemporary with the age of the show need to be found, when such items are no longer available.

For instance the show "Oliver" demands a selection of Victorian barrels, and trunks, which we sourced locally. Also a coffin had to be found, and loaned from a funeral director for the Sowerberry's scene.

Scenery

The complexity of designs we have to produce for shows varies enormously. Below are examples of sets we have designed in the past

If you are interested in this area of back-stage, then either contact us through the contact page, and/or fill in our non-performer's membership application form.