A recent performance of the whole of Homer’s epic Iliad offered an opportunity to observe actors close up and to understand what their craft has in common with music performance I only meant to pop into the British Museum on Friday afternoon to hear a bit of Homer’s Iliad. By 1am I was lying exhausted on my sofa watching the live stream from the Almeida Theatre, where Tim Piggott-Smith as Priam was bringing the dead body of his warrior son Hector home to Troy, wrapping up 16

Great stage actors have an aura of positive energy and openness that musicians can access, too. Acting coach Patsy Rodenburg tells Ariane Todes how This article first appeared in The Strad, May 2012 Voice and acting coach Patsy Rodenburg has worked with some of the biggest names in theatre, film and TV, and for 26 years has run the voice department at London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama. In her work with actors, and also with musicians, she helps them maximise their