How songs tell stories in theatre
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Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can understand how different songs are used to tell us about stories and characters.
Key learning points
- Actors can tell a story or share a character's emotional journey through song
- Solo songs often give us information about how a character is feeling
- Ensemble songs often tell the story or give us clues about the mood of the story
- We can share stories with an audience by understanding the lyrics we're singing
Keywords
Musical theatre - a type of theatre with songs, acting and dance
Solo song - a piece performed by one person - an Italian word meaning 'alone'
Ensemble (musical theatre) - a chorus of people on stage sharing the plot or mood
Soliloquy (musical theatre) - a character sharing their thoughts and feelings with the audience
Common misconception
Musical theatre is solely for light entertainment.
Songs in musical theatre can explore a range of emotions and experiences that an audience might relate to.
Teacher tip
Spend time watching the suggested clips to allow pupils to see how the whole body and the performance space are used to convey emotions and the story in a song. Encourage pupils to be big and bold when singing When I Was a Lad to help develop confidence for later lessons in the unit.
Licence
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