As part of my research for the multimedia side of my project, I have been asked to find a production that incorporates different forms of media. The question I've been asked to think about is: "Within a Theatre production, how does the use of multimedia help in its communication to an audience? What does it add to the piece?"
The production I have chosen to talk about is 'The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle', a production based on the novel by Haruki Murakami:
NY Workshop Production Trailer
I found this performance/video extremely interesting to watch because the show itself looks very gripping. The use of multimedia is very unique, interesting and smart in the way it has been presented in the piece.
It is said that "'The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle' employs a dynamic blend of theatrical elements to create a hypnotic "theatre of dreams"". This is shown with the help of hypnotic soundscapes, puppetry, and most importantly, film/video projections and audio speakers.
I think that the use of projection is the most interesting part about the play because it is used in so many ways. Scrims, set pieces, hanging laundry, bed sheets and actors' bodies are used as the projection surfaces, and I think that is really creative because it gives the film texture in a way, with all the bumps and kinks in material. The use of projections like this also give the dreamy effect as it makes everything slightly distorted and a touch out of reality.
The audio speakers are placed, surrounding the audience to enhance the experience, and to, in a way, pull the audience into the play more, so they feel engaged properly. Some characters only appear in film, which gives it a sense of another reality, which is again reverting back to the 'hypnotic' and 'dreamy' effect of this piece of Theatre.
The Guardian Review - With 2/5 stars, this wasn't very favourable with 'The Guardian' because they thought the multimedia aspects of it smothered the actual context of the show itself, leaving the audience uninvolved.
The Telegraph Review - 'The Telegraph' gave this piece of Theatre 4/5 stars, so a completely different opinion and view. They thought that the images were stunning, creating a 'dreamscape'.
The production I have chosen to talk about is 'The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle', a production based on the novel by Haruki Murakami:
NY Workshop Production Trailer
I found this performance/video extremely interesting to watch because the show itself looks very gripping. The use of multimedia is very unique, interesting and smart in the way it has been presented in the piece.
It is said that "'The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle' employs a dynamic blend of theatrical elements to create a hypnotic "theatre of dreams"". This is shown with the help of hypnotic soundscapes, puppetry, and most importantly, film/video projections and audio speakers.
I think that the use of projection is the most interesting part about the play because it is used in so many ways. Scrims, set pieces, hanging laundry, bed sheets and actors' bodies are used as the projection surfaces, and I think that is really creative because it gives the film texture in a way, with all the bumps and kinks in material. The use of projections like this also give the dreamy effect as it makes everything slightly distorted and a touch out of reality.
The audio speakers are placed, surrounding the audience to enhance the experience, and to, in a way, pull the audience into the play more, so they feel engaged properly. Some characters only appear in film, which gives it a sense of another reality, which is again reverting back to the 'hypnotic' and 'dreamy' effect of this piece of Theatre.
The Guardian Review - With 2/5 stars, this wasn't very favourable with 'The Guardian' because they thought the multimedia aspects of it smothered the actual context of the show itself, leaving the audience uninvolved.
The Telegraph Review - 'The Telegraph' gave this piece of Theatre 4/5 stars, so a completely different opinion and view. They thought that the images were stunning, creating a 'dreamscape'.
