Theatre Pit Work - how does it work? Panto Season Edition

[Sean]

We've just come back from seeing Jack & the Beanstalk at The Hippodrome in Bristol. We had cracking seats and I sat just in front of where the bass player was in the pit (under the stage). 

 

How does it all work? 

 

Can the musicians in the pit see the stage performance on a monitor? I couldn't see any?

 

I guess it's all IEM and that the musical director (the chap at the keyboard in front of the stage) speaks to the band through his mic? He also used what looked like a proper old fashioned phone handset. 

 

How on earth do they get their cues? 

Panto format deviates from script a lot, so I guess that you have to really pay attention. 

 

It's worlds apart from anything I've ever done and I'm fascinated to understand how it works. 

 

And in case he's on here, the chap on the SR5 did a cracking job and, guessing again, that he plays an SR5 because it just does what it does in that environment with 100% reliability.

 

It would be great if some Basschatters that have done or do this could give some insight as it's so different from what most of us are familiar with. 

 

Edited 1 hour ago by Sean

[Stub Mandrel]

3 minutes ago, Sean said:

it just does what it does in that environment with 100% reliability.

 

Oh no it doesn't! 

 

😁

[Sean]

1 minute ago, Stub Mandrel said:

 

Oh no it doesn't! 

 

😁

Oooooh, yes it does!