Musical theatre: a behind-the-scenes perspective
The actors' agent | The casting director | The choreographer | The musical director
What is a musical director?
This is the person responsible for the orchestra and the overall performance of the music, including the singing of the cast. He or she is an integral part of the creative team, but unlike other team members who leave after the first night and only check back in occasionally, the MD (as they're known) is there every night, ensuring that standards are maintained.
Profile: Kevin Amos
Current work: Aladdin for the Old Vic Company. Previous credits include: 42nd Street, Chess, The Phantom of the Opera, Grand Hotel, Cats and Marlene.
How would you describe your job?
'Largely, it's the responsibility of bringing the score to life.'
And in more detail, what does that involve?
'That means taking part in the auditions for the company, and fighting one's corner – there's always a pay-off between casting actors who can sing and singers who can dance and dancers who can sing, and you've got to get the balance right. If you have to make any compromises, you have to work out how those factors can be balanced out and most adequately covered. You're involved in the whole creative process. It extends beyond the cast into the orchestra, where you have a strong input into who the most appropriate people to play in it are. That's usually done in collaboration with an orchestral management. Then, of course, you actually conduct the performances every night.'
What are the challenges of finding the right voices for a show?
'There are some occasions when a performer might be able to fulfil every single category, but requirements are often very specific from show to show, and the nature of different shows is very different. It would be unrealistic to expect someone who would be great in We Will Rock You to also be great in The Phantom of the Opera.'
What advice would you give to a young person trying to make their way in musical theatre?
'Concentrate not only on the discipline you enjoy most, but also on the one you regard as your weakest. From the outset, you need to be a great singer; but that's not enough. You also need to be a great dancer or at least a good mover; and a tidy actor as well. There are virtually no 'stand and sing' situations in musicals where you'll only be required to do that!'
