Theater perform - Essay Example

Visual Arts and Film Studies Visual Arts and Film Studies California Broadway industry has always been an area of interest to me. Recently, I watched a play based on a novel by Nowel Coward, Blithe Spirit. The play was cast exceptionally with commendable actors. It featured the likes of Angela Lansbury and other winning actors. Primarily, one of the key interesting aspects about this play is the fact that the play incorporates comical effects, but still maintains a high level of formality in the arts.

This paper seeks to establish some of the key aspects about the play that were not only memorable, but also highly influential in giving the audience a better feeling about their actions. Additionally, considering that the play has a Gothic theme, the aspect of humor and its incorporation in the play make it increasingly spectacular. The execution of the play was remarkable. One of the key indicators of the execution is the stage and lighting used by the director. The lighting was not only appropriate for the play, but rather it also soothed to the audience.

A properly lit play is crucial. Most plays are unrealistically dark. However, the play, aired at the Barnum Hall in Santa Monica High school hall on October 23, 2014, was lit realistically, having bright lights for scenes played during the day and dark illumination of the night. Stage effects have a crucial impact on the effect the play or any form of art has on the audience (Banham 45). Stage lighting is one of the key considerations in any of theater arts. The sound effects are another approach used by the director that also made the play spectacular.

Primarily, with the main theme being occult in nature, the use of loud sounds with frightening effects on the audience was necessary. Characters such as Ruth were some of the most influential in relation to the sound effects used for the play. These areas made the play appreciable to the audience. Shaky lighting and loud sound effects with a ghostly background characterized occult themes. Besides occultism, other themes presented by the playwright and director included revenge, which was well executed in the play.

As well, the costumes used in the play were well selected. With the play set in the early 19th century, the costumes were designed in an old-fashioned manner. The use of costumes also had an impact on the audiences overall perception and hence the costume selection is necessary for any play (Pavis, Shantz & Carlson 92). The directors and the playwright adequately covered this area. Anger and other similar themes were also represented adequately using exceptional actors who revealed their emotions extensively.

However, one of the negative aspects about the play is the fact that it did not cover enough themes as presented in the novel. Some themes such as death were overlooked in the play, which instead of being shown, were just implied. Despite the fact that the play was not made as graphic as it should have, the production is still commendable. Understanding the importance of some of the features mentioned above is crucial for any play fan. The playwright and director of Blithe Spirit had a comprehensive outlook on the issue and were able to present them during the play appropriately.

The elimination of the graphic nature was probably meant as a strategy to ensure that the play did not negatively affect the audience. Regardless, most of the novels themes were eliminated from the play due to the adoption of such an approach. Even so, to some of the members of the audience, the play might have been perfect. As such, the director and the playwright accomplished to capture the audiences interest and give them value for their money.  Works Cited Banham, M. The Cambridge guide to Theatre.

Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 1995. Print. Graves, R. B. Lighting the Shakespearean stage: 1567-1642. Carbondale, Ill: Southern Illinois Univ. Press. 1999. Print.Pavis, P., Shantz, C., & Carlson, M. Dictionary of the theatre: Terms, concepts and analysis. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. 1998. Print.