So I’ve been in London for just over a month now. I’ve started work, moved into a flat in Kensington, and had a chance to settle. I knew it wouldn’t be long until I would need a musical outlet, or at least something to change up the routine.
Last weekend, I participated in the London Musical Theatre Orchestra Playthrough. Basically, its singing through an entire show, and then performing in a private setting with a full orchestra. Now, sitzprobes are not new to me. I’ve been to quite a few over the years of performing onstage and backstage, singing various parts from general chorus, to ensemble, and even vocal assist for onstage performers. But, I have never rehearsed an entire show, essentially sight singing, and then combining with an orchestra in a space of roughly 10 hours. What an awesome rush!
A few might even think that quality of performance would be an issue. I can guarantee that this was not the case. Everyone, be it chorus, soloists, instrumentalists, conductors, rehearsal co-ordinations and technicians; came in with a goal, and achieved true quality, to the point that everyone was feeling the raw emotion coming out of the music.
I have to admit, when it was all done, I was feeling a little ‘Sitzprobe Sadness’. Even though it wasn’t a staged performance, you still get that buzz. You meet new people, and see friends. I even met some nice people, who would talk to the loner Australian sitting in the back row, singing Second Soprano. Music really does bring people together.
So how does it work? LMTO has a playthrough of a musical once a month. The musicals very from classic to contemporary. Unfortunately I’m not allowed to state which musical I was involved with, but it was a Andrew Lloyd Webber classic (because that narrows the options down). The point of it is to allow groups of performing artists to come together in a private setting and work on something with no pressure of public exposure, and staging. It’s to practice ‘The Arts, and have a little fun at the same time.
Basically, I signed up to LMTOs website. When the time came for the next playthrough, they sent out an application call. You fill out a form and send it back. LMTO lets you know if you’re in, and what part you’ll be performing. The ‘book’ arrives about 3 or 4 days before the actual date, and then you turn up for the fun.
Now, having a little musical background is quite beneficial, especially when you need to sightread for the entire day. The essential thing is that it was fun, and it allowed me to work on musical skills (sight singing, blending in with a group, thinking quick). It was also my first musical endeavor since moving to London. I hope I can be involved in more of LMTOs future playthroughs.
And if nothing else, I’ve gained a few more friendships.
In music the passions enjoy themselves. ~Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil, 1886
Sarah Talbot 
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