The first people audiences see in Tauranga Repertory Theatre’s production of Nell Gwynn aren’t actors. In an unusual move, musicians are seated on stage for the entire performance of the historical comedy.

“It’s a real point of difference,” said director Dennis Fenwick. “The use of a trio of live musicians adds another dimension to the play and also has the effect of lifting the energy on stage.”

The music helps set the scene of 1600s London when King Charles II fell in love with the woman who became the second female actor in England.

For musical director Matt Bodman, it was a new challenge compared to his previous work with Tauranga Musical Theatre.

“I usually get given the music with the script and if I get stuck, I can go online to listen to the soundtrack or watch the Broadway show,” he said.

“With Nell Gwynn, I couldn’t. I’ve researched about half a dozen existing songs, rearranged some music and then created ‘themes’ for characters. That’s the magic of it; music is a vibration of air. It makes people feel things in the same way that words can have a genuine effect on us emotionally.”

Musicians on stage (from left) Kelly McNamara plays guitar, musical director Matt Bodman and Nrusingha Rath on violin as actors arrive on the stage. Photo / Pete Luxford Photography

Apart from his role as a music teacher at Ōtūmoetai College and as ‘Cockney Number 2’ as a teenager in My Fair Lady, Bodman’s not used to having the eyes of the audience on him.

“I’m just not cut out for the attention. I’m in awe of these actors,” he said.

“Musicians are traditionally hidden away in a pit in front of the stage, so we tend to be a little introverted. I wasn’t sure how Nrusingha [Rath on violin] and Kelly [McNamara on guitar] would take the news that we’d be on stage.”

Turns out, they’ve taken it in their stride, working with Fenwick on whether they bow.

The trio of musicians to the left (with Matt Bodman in the spotlight) with lead actor Zoe Cruse as Nell Gwynn performing centre stage. Photo / Pete Luxford Photography

- SunLive