The role of stage manager is traditionally a bit of a thankless one: no one notices if everything goes to plan, but if a prop’s broken, the prima donna’s wig has gone missing or the second horn is without a music stand, it’s the stage manager’s fault.
But a new game for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch has set out to change all that. In The Show Must Go On players have to take on the role of stage manager: find sheet music, assemble props, build a set, light the show, dress the chorus and generally get a production ready for the stage
The game has been created by the Royal Opera House with game developers Hide & Seek and aims to give players a taste of life as a stage manager.
Bizet’s Carmen, Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro and Tchaikovsky’s ballets The Nutcracker and Swan Lake are the four shows featured and the soundtrack includes performances by soprano Elisabeth Schwarzkopf and conductor Sir Simon Rattle.
The chief executive of the Royal Opera House, Tony Hall said: 'We hope that this game will excite people who don’t know about opera and ballet.'
The Show Must Go On is available from the app store now.
Adam Purnell