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A Musical with no applause!?

Fri, 19 Oct 2001, 03:56 pm
Walter Plinge10 posts in thread
I've always wanted to either be involved with or see a piece musical theatre where there is no opportunity for the audience to applaud after songs. Has anyone ever seen such a piece, or has ever tried to stage one?

I seems to me that it is done in "straight" theatre all the time, but the presentational style of musicals and the entertainment factor enables the audience to break any tension by applauding after songs.

Any comments?

(I'm also rtying to take the convo away from Les Mis - Ahhhh)

The Pros and cons...

Fri, 19 Oct 2001, 11:52 pm
Actually, the best equivalent I can think of is along the lines of the concept albums by Roger Waters ..."The Pros And Cons Of Hitchhiking" is a story told in song and the action never stops...he crossfades immediately into character dialogue or sound effects or the next song. A bit similar with his Pink Floyd efforts, "The Wall" (which became a rock musical movie) and "The Final Cut".

However, while void of applause on the recording, there is a magnificent build AND release of tension throughout the performance.

And on the occasions where his concerts were played live (The Wall in Berlin...) there is still the inevitable applause throughout, mainly at the end of each recognisable song.

So I don't know if you can ever really control it. If an audience wants to applaud, they will. Isn't that a good thing?

crg
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Thread (10 posts)

A Musical with no applause!?Walter Plinge19 Oct 2001
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