Macbeth

What difficulties does the Globe stage present musicians with?

The Globe is a very unique performance space that does pose some unusual problems for performers. One major issue is the weather. Obviously the stage is susceptible to rain and damp and some instruments are damaged by this. It is important to position the musicians correctly so as to protect their instruments and give them a good view for visual cues.

Another difficulty is the acoustic. There is no amplification anywhere in the theatre and therefore the instruments have to be chosen carefully so as to carry to the farthest reaches of the theatre. As there is no lighting or special effects the role of music is even more important in highlighting dramatic moments.

Often musicians have to play actual roles and walk around the stage with the actors. There is a great dealing of moving around and swapping instruments which needs to be rehearsed carefully.