Behind the scenes at Covent Garden

**french frank** · 10-06-21, 20:54

Fascinating! Thanks for that, Bert

**Keraulophone** · 11-06-21, 07:52

I had no idea of the importance of the Deputy Stage Manager’s role. DSMs I have know in ordinary theatres have been little more like dogsbodies. What an amazing eye-opener is The Opera Machine.

**Bert Coules** · 11-06-21, 08:42

Originally posted by Keraulophone View Post

I had no idea of the importance of the Deputy Stage Manager’s role. DSMs I have know in ordinary theatres have been little more like dogsbodies.

I think you're (understandably) confusing the Deputy Stage Manager with the Assistant Stage Manager(s). ASMs are traditionally the entry point job for backstage jobs: you can see the Covent Garden ASMs in that Walküre doing tasks like making sure the actors have the correct props and are ready to make their entrances; it's the ASMs who pass the dead heroes up through the trapdoors. Not glamorous work, but essential to the smooth running of the show.

In the sadly long-lost days of repertory theatre, ASMs often played small parts on stage as well: it was a way in to the acting profession as well as to backstage work and production.

What an amazing eye-opener is The Opera Machine.

I'm glad you think so. I was delighted to have found it.

**Keraulophone** · 11-06-21, 08:57

Originally posted by Bert Coules View Post

I think you're (understandably) confusing the Deputy Stage Manager with the Assistant Stage Manager(s)

Thank you for the clarification, Bert. You're quite right: I had meant ASM.

I could play with this tech tool for hours! I wonder whether they'll do the same for other parts of the Ring or other operas.
.

**Bert Coules** · 11-06-21, 09:18

Originally posted by Keraulophone View Post

I wonder whether they'll do the same for other parts of the Ring or other operas.

That would be fascinating, but the sheer volume of work that must have gone into capturing just that one act probably means it's unlikely to happen again, sadly. How splendid, though, to have this one example, and to have it really brought home that, in the words of that Guardian article, "...when Terfel is standing alone on stage there are 189 other people simultaneously working to ensure he can do his job".

It's so easy to sit in comfort and glibly comment on or criticise a performance with next to no thought at all of the immense efforts being made to make it happen.

**Serial_Apologist** · 11-06-21, 11:01

I mainly visit Covent Garden for the buskers. There used to be a great tie and cravat stall in the covered market, but then it closed, and now in any case the risk of infection makes that place less inviting, though I dare say it will probably be less crowded that was usual pre-pandemic.

**Cockney Sparrow** · 12-06-21, 09:11

I'd like to add my thanks for bringing this to attention.

I attended the Ring insight day -probably more than one (and more than one run/revival of the cycle) and am a Friend but this had passed me by........ As a regular attender at the ROH, this was absolutely fascinating. I've only watched the You Tube so far but will enjoy exploring the multi camera web page(s).

I think the section from 52 minutes to the end is the most recommendable in general, I would hesitate to recommend the Ride of the Valkyries (in this production and in this performance) to any but a regular, fully engaged opera goer.

I've always advocated tolerance of flaws in performance from the auditorium view - "be thankful for those wonderful occasions when everything is aligned to near perfection" - I've been under no illusions just how complex an operation it is to bring all the elements together on the night, this is a unique insight which adds to my enormous respect for the professionals and their skills.....

The roving fellow (with headset/mic) who seemed to be on the lookout for any potential (or actual in the case of Terfel's fiery appendage) difficulty - would he be another Deputy SM, or the main man, I wonder?

Oh to be back at Covent Garden - I will have to wait a bit (personal reasons coming into play, aside from "unlocking") but hope next season I'll be back there again. I shouldn't complain, I have some great memories, aided by DVDs of their productions.........

**Ein Heldenleben** · 12-06-21, 09:15

I agree it’s a fascinating piece of backstage footage but I still think it’s such a shame that so much effort went into such a duff staging. Thankfully we have the wonderful musicianship of Pappano , cast and orchestra in compensation.

**Bert Coules** · 13-06-21, 08:46

Originally posted by Cockney Sparrow View Post

I'd like to add my thanks for bringing this to attention.

My pleasure.

The roving fellow (with headset/mic) who seemed to be on the lookout for any potential (or actual in the case of Terfel's fiery appendage) difficulty - would he be another Deputy SM, or the main man, I wonder?

Yes, that's the Stage Manager. This is from the homepage at
https://www.roh.org.uk/interactives/opera-machine :

The Stage Manager's job is to coordinate the technical departments and to ensure the safety and well being of the artists and technicians during a performance. Adam, Stage Manager for this production, is the first point of contact when dealing with any issues that may affect the smooth running of the production.

It's an interesting hierarchy, isn't it? His Deputy runs the show and under normal circumstances clearly carries the greatest responsibility, but the Stage Manager is - as that incident shows - very much at the top of the pyramid at need.

**Bert Coules** · 13-06-21, 08:59

Originally posted by Heldenleben View Post

I agree it’s a fascinating piece of backstage footage but I still think it’s such a shame that so much effort went into such a duff staging.

The only segment I've seen live (and that from a very poor seat, where the view was through the stage-level harps in their side box) is Siegfried, which I might ungenerously describe as even duffer - or at least weirder - than the Walküre. I'm still trying to get my head around the crashed plane and Wotan's aeronautical goggles.

**LMcD** · 13-06-21, 09:18

Originally posted by Bert Coules View Post

The only segment I've seen live (and that from a very poor seat, where the view was through the stage-level harps in their side box) is Siegfried, which I might ungenerously describe as even duffer - or at least weirder - than the Walküre. I'm still trying to get my head around the crashed plane and Wotan's aeronautical goggles.

Didn't Katisha make her first appearance in full pilot's gear, including goggles, in Jonathan Miller's famous ENO production of 'The Mikado'?

**Bert Coules** · 13-06-21, 10:28

Siegfried would certainly have benefitted from a few of the laughs from Miller's production.

**LHC** · 13-06-21, 10:41

Originally posted by Bert Coules View Post

Siegfried would certainly have benefitted from a few of the laughs from Miller's production.

To paraphrase Rowan Atkinson's schoolmaster, if Wagner had meant it to be funny, he would have put a joke in it.

**LMcD** · 13-06-21, 10:42

Originally posted by Bert Coules View Post

Siegfried would certainly have benefitted from a few of the laughs from Miller's production.

Availability of Miller's 'Mikado' on DVD seems to be very limited, and sometimes subject to shipping coasts that will be 'advised later' - yet I was lucky enough to pick up Opera Australia's performance as part of a box set from a local charity shop. I much prefer the Australians' G & S to the Douglas Fairbanks/Alexander Faris set, much of which suffers from cuts necessitated by the need to fill the allotted time slot. Miller's 'Mikado' is available on YouTube in what looks like an off-air recording of the ITV 'special' - the picture quality's not up to much.

Behind the scenes at Covent Garden

Behind the scenes at Covent Garden

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