From John Davies
Trevor Cox’s discussion of the acoustics of ancient theatres reminded me of a trip to Greece with my medical student colleagues (21 August, p 44).
We tested the acoustics of the amphitheatre at Delphi by going to the top tier of seats and sending one of our number down to the stage. Not having memorised a speech from Aristophanes but being in the throes of learning anatomy, he intoned the longest Latin name for a muscle in the body, the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi – a facial muscle that lifts the upper lip and dilates the nostril.
The theatre acoustics were so impressive that all the other visitors stopped in their tracks and crossed themselves.
Lancaster, UK
