Live performances, while less easy to watch than a film or show, are often highly impactful and enjoyable. There’s also a large variety of forms within this genre. If you’re looking to widen your knowledge surrounding this type of entertainment, here are five forms of live performance to check out.
1. Musicals
Few forms of theater and shows beat a good old-fashioned musical. While it’s easy to make fun of these productions, especially the older and cheesier ones, the experience of watching one live is usually transformative. For one thing, it’s genuinely exciting to hear someone singing live. It may not be perfect, but it’s both impressive and awe-inspiring. It’s also engaging when huge, showstopping numbers occur. Think of Defying Gravity in Wicked or the title song in Anything Goes. From the singing to the acting to the dancing, not to mention the technical aspects, the sheer overwhelming power of these moments can’t be overstated. Fortunately, musicals are often easy to find. For instance, you can simply search for a show in Oslo.
2. Promenade Theatre
Promenade theatre is a growing phenomenon, particularly in more experimental theatre areas. This type of show provides a whole new theatrical experience. Generally, a promenade show is exactly what it sounds like. The audience essentially tours a location, seeing bits and pieces of performances along the way. While the general idea is usually the same, the execution can be wildly unique. For instance, Sleep No More, which helped to popularize promenade theatre, was often described as a haunted attraction. This is because guests were allowed to wander between five floors, each of which had a different and disturbing storyline. Essentially, the characters would have an hour-long script that was repeated throughout the showing. While this form of theatre may not deliver a cohesive storyline, it’s often very effective in immersing the audience.
3. Site-Specific Dance Performances
Watching an onstage dance performance is nothing to scoff at. However, you may increase your enjoyment by attending a site-specific performance. Basically, site-specific shows are performances that occur outside of a stage. Many instead take place in public areas such as parks, libraries, museums, malls, and bus stations. Oftentimes, this choice of site is meant to gather a larger viewership. It allows big groups of people to view dance easily. However, site-specific performances are also often an artistic choice. Dancers can use the unique architecture of these spaces, as well as draw from the inherent meaning such places have. For instance, dancing in a government area could provide political commentary. If you’re looking to enjoy movement without going to a theater, site-specific dance performances may be perfect for you.
4. Interactive Entertainment
Interactive entertainment, as opposed to immersive entertainment, involves the audience in the show being displayed. It often allows audience members to have some sort of effect on what happens. Lately, interactive entertainment has become highly popular in many fields. Even choreographers have found creative ways to use viewers in dances. If you’re looking to enjoy this minimally, there are many productions with “choose your own ending” options. One of the most well-known versions of this is The Mystery of Edwin Drood, based on Charles Dickens’s unfinished novel. Due to the novel’s unfinished state, the musical cleverly allows the audience to choose the murderer. You can also attend more intensely interactive productions. Many allow audience members to become key players. Some even let viewers fully join the production. This is especially popular in improvisational comedies, during which anything can happen.
5. Reimagined Productions
The large number of remakes occurring lately can seem tiresome. This is especially true when it comes to film and television. However, many recent theatrical revivals have managed to do something new with older shows. Instead of being repetitious, these productions become reimaginings of the original concept. A great example of this is the newest Oklahoma!. Unlike the original 1940’s production, this version is dark and critical of classic American culture. Another interesting reimagining is the newer version of Spring Awakening, which was put on by Deaf West Theatre. This version has deaf actors signing the lyrics, while other actors sing offstage. This brings a further physical presence to the musical, as well as emphasizes its message about communication. If you’re able to, try to check out a reimagined production at some point.
While going out to see live theatre can be hard, the result is generally worth it. Do some research and find a production that’s right for you.
