I was delighted to read Sir Peter Hall's comments about mumblers. I visit the theatre frequently and have sat through productions at just about every theatre at some time or another. (I had begun to wonder if early senility was setting in :a bit like having to visit the ladies loo even when I do't need to ~ because there is invariably a massive queue at interval time) But back to mumbling... there is so much of it and I think it is the scourge of those actors today who do not do enough acting in the theatre. Directors pay attention you cannot miss this in rehearsals surely ? don't forget you have heard the lines a thousand time we poor audiences are hoping to hear it the FIRST time. At ticket prices these days I cannot afford to see the play a second time in the hope I may hear what I missed !

Actors generally don't use full voice in rehearsals, even dress rehearsals for plays. Musicals are slightly different. But the point is directors won't know how an actor intends to use his/her voice until the first performance in front of an audience and then it might be too late for remedial action, particularly if the actor that is too quiet is a highly-paid tv name. I suspect that Peter Hall is getting full volume from the fantastic Michelle Dockery in Pygmalion.

Thankyou for your reply but I must disagree. Being a trained and working actress myself I have had experience of differing modes of directing and to leave the discovery of how an actor or actress is going to use his or her voice on the performance night is enough to send shivers down the spines of voice coaches fellow actors and the poor unsuspecting audiences in theatres everywhere (with or without poor acoustics)

I cannot believe that is the case at all.

OK, substitute "the famous actors that I have worked with" for "actors".

An actor trains, preferably for three years (not these silly one year courses) so that they know how to use their voices and manage all spaces!! There is simply no need for actors to mumble and on the most part is laziness. I am an actor and would never dare short change an audience- i leave that to the ghastly Katie Mitchell. The responsibility falls on the actor, we are the ones who step onto the stage. Do your excercises, keep the tool trained and communicate to the audience not to the ego!!

And please can you list their names as well.

You wouldn't believe me if I told you

Don't misunderstand about the volume thing; the famous actors I'm talking about always produce the goods in front of an audience but with some of them it's a big surprise after the rehearsals! Although the one actor who didn't project beyond the footlights (in a musical with radio mic) had been a major star on TV for a good 20 years before going back to the stage.

Okay, I won't doubt you but I was just being nosey.