Stay in and Watch the box!

I have been playing in the pit orchestra for a show all this week, at the Assembly Rooms. The Good Companions have been putting on the musical Mack and Mabel, based on a true story about Mack Sennet and Mabel Normand. It is a real shame that audience figures have been low for the week, which has, no doubt, financially had a bad effect on the company. It takes thousands of pounds to stage a show like this, not to mention many hours of rehearsals. Indeed one company ,decided earlier this month, to pull a show because of poor ticket sales. This is live entertainment at it's best, but it would seem that most folk just want to stay in and watch the telly, which is a real shame. Musically, playing in a show is a complete change from Big Banding. A totally different technique of playing is required, and certainly lots more concentration. As the orchestra are behind the scenes, it was interesting in the interval to overhear a couple talking, and because they could not see the musicians, thought it was backing tracks being used for the show? They obviously did not hear me dropping my straight mute on the floor earlier in the week!!!