Life in the Pit

‘Plucky’ touches on a number of issues, not just H&S. The rank that musicians hold in opera and ballet companies (particularly the latter) is often less than prestigious. It’s not that unusual for the stage performers to have better facilities than the musicians but let’s face it – they’re the show that the audience is paying to see.

We’re seen as low maintenance because we arrive at the half hour call, maybe change our clothes, and sit in the pit for 3 hours. We don’t mingle with the rest of the company very much and that anonymity has a trickle-down effect. We’re often not recognized as part of the company by staff and dancers, and many in the stage crew don’t know who we are (besides, they have their own issues about belonging). When it comes to planning new productions, choreographers, set designers and technical directors pay little attention to the design of props that may end up in the pit. In some cases, they use the pit as an extension of the stage.

What I just described was the attitude at my company until about 15 years ago. The National Ballet is a very production-heavy outfit which spends a lot of money on sets, costumes and effects. I could go into detail about some of the accidents we endured, and will later if there’s an appetite for it, but suffice it to say that it’s essential to get the right people in all of the key positions in your organization. We hit a brick wall with an old-style production manager who would not even talk to a representative from the orchestra. After he retired, we were lucky enough to get a new guy who was sympathetic, and slowly our concerns were addressed and corrected. For a few years, he invited me to look over plans and to watch rough rehearsals so that together we could identify hazards. The orchestra committee no longer feels the need to be so vigilant but we’re always ready to make some noise.

The orchestra committee and personnel manager also need to take some responsibility for maintaining a safe environment. Sure, we don’t have adequate facilities in most theatres but instrument cases should be left outside the pit. There are enough risers and electrical cords to trip over without cases thrown into the mix. ‘Plucky’ mentioned a sprinkler head and they’re nasty items when they don’t have guards on them. One of our musicians gashed his head when he stood up into one. We have to be watching for those hazards all of the time.