Mack and Mabel

[Nigel]

I'm MD for Mack and Mabel and like everyone else nowadays I'm in the position where I have to cut costs. From the licence it looks like I need 19 players but budget restrictions mean that I can't stretch that far. I've been thinking about putting strings onto a keyboard (sorry string players), but has anyone else any advice on cutting costs but at the same time maintaining quality. What instruments can I omit?

Thanks

[debnelson01261788320333134790]

Big sound can be had if you can find a great synthetic keyboards person who can run their music through something like an old lexicon (or another multiplier). We've used this trick before, and had excellent results....you still need the percussion, but if the player's good enough, they can create horns, guitars, all your strings, and even big background vocals. Check around or some of the older live gig fellows who learned how to run bass line along with their keys in the 70's and 80's. They'll know what I'm talking about. Good luck! Deb