GIFTS

I went to watch a local play with friends last night.

This morning, I retold the whole storyline, with its themes and controversies to my sister. The play had several messages, linked to current affairs, the playwright, director always delivers with less than ten actors, also uses snippets of global incidents to connect with the general public. What he does well with in his shows is the application of lyrics from different songs, both local and foreign, to reiterate his message, during the play. The invisible, youthful band plays the selected song at the appropriate time, with the actor dancing and singing perfectly.

The power of using popular music charges the atmosphere and powers the whole theatre. The audience break into song (helping the actor relay the message) whilst jigging in their seats. I guess this is an opportunity or an unlabelled interlude for the audience to soak up the message, at the same time attaching the meaning of the lyrics to the part of the storyline. It is the playwright’s style of delivery and it works so well. He knows the audience will respond.

So the audience is pulled in by the powerful song, humor and the direct links with the part of the story. This actually draws them into the story, the interactive nature of the show reminds me of the call and response in pantomimes.

I have also got to mention the pre-play, show. When the invisible, youthful band play their version of the modern rhythmic Afro beats. This charges the theatre, sets the scene, as the audience walk in to the near perfect beats.

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