The Challenges of Interpreting the Poetic and Lyrical Depth of Lighting in J.P. Clark's Plays
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Date
2011
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Publisher
Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA)
Abstract
From a humble beginning, lighting has gone beyond
illumination. The need has always been there but lack of
technology limited its full potential until the twentieth century.
Like the Classical Greek plays, African plays appear not to have
been written for stage lighting until African elite dramatists
began to write in the European tradition. However, in telling
African stories, the total theatre approach is hardly ignored.
Yet some Nigerian playwrights have brought their deep poetic
language to dramatic dialogue which thus challenges the
creativity of the lighting designer. J.P. Clark is one of such
playwrights. This essay discusses some of these challenging
poetic lines and dramatic atmosphere which an ambitious
designer can pursue through sound and light in the total theatre
and illusionistic styles in Clark's drama