Staging Traddish Song Cycles

Subject: RE: Staging Traddish Song Cycles
From: Spleen Cringe
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 06:34 PM

...and if you haven't done so already, download the Maritime England Suite Suibhne has put up...

Subject: RE: Staging Traddish Song Cycles
From: Jack Campin
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 04:36 PM

Burns's "Jolly Beggars" is something like what you're after.

Subject: RE: Staging Traddish Song Cycles
From: Tootler
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 04:11 PM

My understanding of a song cycle is that it is a collection of songs on a single theme, but it does not necessarily tell a story nor does it necessarily require a dramatic production.

Vaughan Williams setting of A E Houseman's poems "A Shropshire lad" is an example.

This has been done here in N. Yorks using Graeme Miles's songs of the Cleveland (UK) iron industry. Them group who do it call themselves the Ironopolis Singers and they tell the story of the rise and fall of the iron industry on Teesside.

Subject: RE: Staging Traddish Song Cycles
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 03:09 PM

I saw The Mistletoe Bough enacted at Sidmouth quite a few years ago. I expect a few others have been done.

Subject: RE: Staging Traddish Song Cycles
From: Little Robyn
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 03:04 PM

We did something like this many years ago, (1967,68 or earlier?) using NZ folk songs, with the stage organised like an old bar and everyone in costume, dressed like old gold miners or bar girls, reflecting the songs. Frank Fife organised it and I think it was called A Shanty by the Way, based on this song. Frank was the Landlord, Mitch was one of the miners and I'm pretty sure Sam Sampson (Billy the Bus) was in it. Arthur Toms was one of the singers as well.
It was very entertaining with people 'hamming it up' as the character they were meant to represent was mentioned in the songs.
Duilia was 'smiling darling Nancy-o' and she's the one I remember best.
Robyn

Subject: RE: Staging Traddish Song Cycles
From: Crowhugger
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 02:21 PM

Well, it's like oratorio if you string them together to tell one overall story including singing the transitions. Not strictly trad if you create some of these rather than find them but so what. Call it operetta if there is acting and the transitions are spoken. I don't think there are any inherent limits--choose your own boundaries and play with it till you have a compelling story beautifully told in great music.

Subject: RE: Staging Traddish Song Cycles
From: Crowhugger
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 02:09 PM

Like oratorio...why not??? With or without sung transition...sounds cool.

Subject: RE: Staging Traddish Song Cycles
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 01:36 PM

Possibly the wrong thread title, not sure if a staged song cycle is in fact a musical..

Subject: Staging Traddish Song Cycles
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 01:33 PM

I was wondering about songs in the trad. idiom being staged as theatrical productions, like low key musicals really. Anyone done it? Any pointers?