Jasper Jones

BACKGROUND Mechanized staging's capacity for epic effect has been evidenced by Piscator's 'total theatre' multimedia productions in the 30's (Loup, 1972, Connelly, 1991). Ways in which physical motion influences the metaphoric 'movement' of a sound score can be seen in mainstream cinema where the camera movement gives cues to the score. In the stage production Jasper Jones Verhagen uses these principles from both cinema and early theatre in order to find ways to negotiate the effect of a revolving stage on the music score CONTRIBUTION In order to account for, and handle the revolving stage from a sound perspective, Verhagen treated the movement of the stage in the way one might treat camera movement in cinema. This worked to sonically support kinesis and to simultaneously elevate the scale of a dramatic moment. The construction of these epic moments influenced the emotional scale and shape of the production SIGNIFICANCE This research is an example of the ways in which crossmodality can instigate novel approaches for each mode. Here, the relationship between stage movement and score work to discover unique potential for this new stage adaptation of the award-winning novel. This research paves the way toward further work in the area of crossmodality in theatre and how sound both contributes to, and is transformed by, other material elements, drawing from theory in both cinema and dance. The MTC is Victoria's premiere theatre company, as well as a department of Melbourne University. The play was part of the VCE Drama & Theatre Studies curriculum and the season was sold out almost immediately, to great acclaim. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbJ64ifO4SM