Eugene O'Hare, a playwright, has warned that the increasing use of microphones on stage is undermining actors' vocal strength and clarity. In a letter to the editor, he noted that even for a 200-seat theatre, floor or personal microphones were suggested during the staging of his own play in 2023.
O'Hare's comments follow concerns raised by Daniel Evans, co-artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, who highlighted that young actors trained over Zoom during the pandemic lack vocal power and range. O'Hare agrees, calling microphones an 'internal enemy' to vocal development.
He advocates for actors and directors to resist using microphones when unnecessary, emphasising the importance of understanding the performance space and proper vocal warm-ups. The RSC recently appointed voice teacher Patsy Rodenburg as emeritus director of voice, a move O'Hare believes will benefit both actors and audiences.
