Guide to Multi-voice Poetry

A TOTAL BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO PERFORMING MULTI-VOICE.

Firstly, don’t panic. It looks complicated but is all do-able. When doing first readings it helps to look through the column of words that you are reading and underline in coloured pen any words/phrases that you are speaking at the same time as another performer/s, and underline those actor’s lines too.  (Or words spoken at the same time can be put in italic) Each actor or poet reads down the page until they come to a bit with words and then they read them. So all bits of text at the same height on the page get read at the same time. It helps to print out the text double space.
Lots of dots on a line of text signify that words that another speaker is reading are not to be spoken by yourself. The gap is not meant to be exact and will be fine-tuned in rehearsal.
I have written and performed multi-voice for ten years and this is the simplest way to get the performer (you) to understand the lines.
Multi-voice is much more than just interruptions in text and so slashes aren’t used by me.
Basically, words and phrases can be spoken at the same time. The resulting joining of sounds creates a new sound that can vary greatly-anything from Chaotic to Melodic. This sound is used to amplify or reinforce an action or emotion the character is portraying at that time.
Each speaker must ensure that their own lines are not overwhelmed by that of the other speaker/s.
Multi-voice is excellent for having each speaker show different views of the same situation. As an example, when there are only two speakers, these voices can be used effectively in opposition to each other, this being emphasised with the speakers facing each other and using inflammatory language.
And after you have learnt to perform multi-voice, you then go onto write it yourself (or with a group).