Cultural Context
In an interview with METRO Ben Elton was asked simply Why do you think it has been successful? The question referring to his hit musical We Will Rock You. He responded by saying:
'People like comedy of course, but at heart the real reason is it features the greatest rock and pop music ever recorded, music which is all about coming together and having a good time. The success of We Will Rock You has been pretty spectacular which is fantastic of course, not least because Brian [May] and Roger [Taylor] and myself get to keep working on the show we love. We never take it for granted and I personally never lose the thrill of being in the audience as the music brings people to their feet, I’m waving my arms like it’s the first night!'
After reading this I think that I really began to understand the relevance of the play and the objectives it tries to establish with the Audience. Why do writers choose to do Musicals of a particular group or person? Because that's what entices an audience. The fans have a connection to the music and want to be a part of it to embrace it and relate to it like they have done previously, it is an idea of unity once more. Unity under the band.
The fact that the plot for the show is rather ambiguous is because it is being attentive to the music, Elton says that the music is 'about coming together and having a good time' and I feel that's what he's trying to convey. For instance in Act 1 scene 10 after the Bohemians introduce Galileo and Scaramouche to the heartbreak hotel they all perform the muscial number 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love' I think this number has the best energy in the show due to them all being united under one banner, describing the period of rock and roll and why it came to fruition. This is going to be nostalgic to an audience that remember Queen and other bands from the 20th century music era as it will be the main reason they would want to see a show featuring this music.
'People like comedy of course, but at heart the real reason is it features the greatest rock and pop music ever recorded, music which is all about coming together and having a good time. The success of We Will Rock You has been pretty spectacular which is fantastic of course, not least because Brian [May] and Roger [Taylor] and myself get to keep working on the show we love. We never take it for granted and I personally never lose the thrill of being in the audience as the music brings people to their feet, I’m waving my arms like it’s the first night!'
After reading this I think that I really began to understand the relevance of the play and the objectives it tries to establish with the Audience. Why do writers choose to do Musicals of a particular group or person? Because that's what entices an audience. The fans have a connection to the music and want to be a part of it to embrace it and relate to it like they have done previously, it is an idea of unity once more. Unity under the band.
The fact that the plot for the show is rather ambiguous is because it is being attentive to the music, Elton says that the music is 'about coming together and having a good time' and I feel that's what he's trying to convey. For instance in Act 1 scene 10 after the Bohemians introduce Galileo and Scaramouche to the heartbreak hotel they all perform the muscial number 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love' I think this number has the best energy in the show due to them all being united under one banner, describing the period of rock and roll and why it came to fruition. This is going to be nostalgic to an audience that remember Queen and other bands from the 20th century music era as it will be the main reason they would want to see a show featuring this music.
This is significant to me as it is my character. Britney. That delivers the line 'Music these days is generated only for money. Which is why it has no soul'.
Where does this idea of music and the soul come from? And could it be that the world that existed when Queen were making their music represents when music was this powerful force? Is Elton saying that through cultural influences music will see a decline and good music a possible extinction? I Believe that it is very biased towards the idea of what is music with 'soul'
I have taken an snip it from an article regarding music and spirituality:
'Music and religion are like the obverse and reverse of the same reality-coin. Music in its purest sense is religion and religion in its purest sense is music. This music-religion, this code of life, this universal language of the soul, can only be offered; it cannot be purchased or sold. Music and religion are for the seekers, for the music-lovers, for the truth-servers. Money-power or earthly name and fame cannot lord it over these two immortal realities, these two earthly and heavenly treasures'.
I have chosen to anotate this as I think it is so relevant to the cultural message in the show. Referring to music as a religion makes it definitive, music is the guide to the bohemians lives, like christians look to the idea of heaven and base their lifestyles around christ. Bohemians pledge themselves to musicians and dress and co-ordinate themselves to show this. And as the article says it cannot be bought and sold, Dictators like the Killer Queen who resmbles a 'King Herod' demeanor cannot rule over something which she does not understand, which only influences her fear of it. The Bohemians remain as disciples of music, and a key line is the first line of 'I want it all' Britney describes an 'Adventure seeker' which suggests that seeking living rock is a journey and part of an adventure in order to find a meaning, it's so much more than just music. It's a way of life.
SOURCES USED: http://www.srichinmoy.org/resources/library/music_and_spirituality/music_spirituality/index.html
No comments:
Post a Comment