Jessica Oddie Photo: Supplied by NZSO
When it comes to ballet, the musicians truly take one for the team.
Whatever's happening up on stage, their focus is on the music in front of them. In fact, it "wouldn't be professional" to even try to sneak a peep during a live performance.
Still, violinist Jessica Oddie has no complaints.
Oddie is normally on the front desk of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra second violin section, but this month she's part of an octet of NZSO string players performing the live music for a new ballet based on Shakespeare's Macbeth.
With music by Christopher Gordon and choreography by Alice Topp, the co-production between the West Australian Ballet and the Royal New Zealand Ballet sets Macbeth in the modern world of corporate takeovers and boardroom battles.
The inspiration for the ballet Macbeth, but where's Birnam Wood? Photo: Kena Betancur / AFP
Oddie spoke about her role in the ballet with RNZ Concert's Bryan Crump.
She says while she can't see the action, she loves the sense of anticipation the audience gives out before the curtain goes up on a theatre show.
While the music gives the dancers their rhythm, it also depicts the inner mental state of the characters.
Oddie's favourite moment in Gordon's score is the scene where Lady Macbeth attempts to get rid of the blood on her hands.
It's pretty clear from the music, the 'spot' isn't going anywhere.
Macbeth is currently on a four-city tour of New Zealand finishing in Christchurch on 21 March.
