Pope John Paul II stands like a rock against all opposition in his clear enunciation of the foundational principles of the Christian faith.
But I don't want to sing everything out of the side of my mouth, I want people to understand what I mean.
It is important that the audience should understand every syllable of every word, for only then can they grasp the meaning of the song.
It was one of those plays in which all of the actors unfortunately enunciated very clearly.
Stage actors are usually much more conscious of speaking up and making sure that everyone can hear in the back of the theatre; a film actor probably thinks of that a little less. Unfortunately, there's a style of acting going round, especially with the younger actors, where they talk without even moving their lip. Maybe it's because my hearing probably isn't what it was 40 years ago but I'm sitting there going "What did they say"?
Some people find clarity threatening. They like muddle, confusion, obscurity. So when somebody does no more than speak clearly it sounds threatening.
Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounce it to you, trippingly on the tongue; but if you mouth it, as many of your players do, I had as lief the town-crier spoke my lines.
A pleasant voice, which has to include clear enunciation, is not only attractive to those who hear it... its appeal is permanent.
You don't have to have a great voice to sing, just a distinctive one. But make sure you say the words clearly and tell a story.
