The Role Of Music In Theatre Productions
You may no longer be familiar with the cartoon show Tom and Jerry, due to the many modern animations today. But to give you a brief overview, the story demonstrates a typical day in the lives of a cat and a mouse. Their constant chases and the endless need to outsmart each other is what you would often see. Indeed, their antics are quite hilarious, if not outright ridiculous. What makes it quite interesting, however, is that both characters do not have scripts and their actions are interpreted through the tunes playing in the background. Even if you close your eyes, a certain sound will tell you that one is sneaking behind the other, or that they are going on a merry-go-round. But without the music, their movements may not be that easy to understand and the film would not be that enticing either.
If the situation is likened to a theatre production, a performance may not be that entertaining without the melodies. That is because those songs play significant roles that can have an impact on the audience. One example is that they can stimulate different kinds of sentiments. Certain tunes can help build anxiety, curiosity, and suspense about the stage show. They are also one of the most effective ways to hold the spectators captive and keep the boredom away. Another reason is that they serve as a means of expression. Through different harmonies, actors can convey many human emotions. In fact, they can even communicate to the audience through them.
Moreover, music is a cultural indicator. A particular tune can indicate the background or origin of the entire production. When the crowd is familiar with the setting and the history behind it, they will have better understanding of the presentation they are seeing. Also, you can easily determine the genre of the play through its melodies. A lively and upbeat song, for instance, can tell you that the show is a comedy. A slow and sad one will give you an idea that what you are about to witness is a tragedy. If you are able to figure out during the early stages as to how the story will end, then the better you can ready yourself for the onslaught of emotions.
So whether the harmony is enacted live or recorded, each note must be able to send the right message across. It must reveal the feelings of the performer, the mood of the production, as well as the interpretation of both the playwright and the artistic director.
