Clown Circus - A Comic Opera in One Act - Callum Barton (Part 2)

Clown Circus is a comic opera in one act, based on a short story of the same name by Jennifer Bryce. Scene one opens with a short prologue which introduces the audience to the Clown Museum. Through constant alternating time signatures between 4/4 and 3/4, a slight sense of apprehension and confusion is created, as it is quite difficult for one to find a solid down beat. It is this idea of uncertainty which helps emphasise the mystery which surrounds the Clown Museum. The music then changes to a rather driving 6/8 rhythm, moving both the music and the story forward, before retreating back to the mysterious and rather dark idea heard at the beginning of the prologue.

Scene one portrays Angela Marsh arguing with her parents after receiving a letter from her school, stating that she blew up a toilet. After much arguing and fighting, Angela tenderly states that she was forced into this act of vandalism by a group of school bullies (which is in fact a lie). Ashamed at themselves for even thinking their daughter could commit such a heinous crime, Mr and Mrs Marsh treat Angela with a trip to the circus. Scene one ventures thorough numerous different styles of music, much like the emotions of the characters it is accompanying. As the three characters are arguing amongst themselves, the music is very quick and agitated and is quite intricate in both orchestration and vocal writing. However, when Angela sings about her encounter with the bullies, the musical is very lyrical and melodically driven. As scene one ends, musical material from the prologue is reprised, to suggest to the listener that dark times may be ahead.

Scene two takes place in the circus itself. It follows Rocko, a happy-go-lucky young clown who is desperately trying to win the heart of Kera, the local 'it' girl about town. Unfortunately, Rocko has a rival in the form of Jim W. In order to win Kera for himself, Rock has to show courage, standing up to both his friends and enemy to prove he is worthy of Kera's love. Compared to scene one, the music in scene two takes inspiration from more popular forms of music, including jazz, hard rock and film music. This scene also makes prominent use of leitfmotifs, or themes, the most notable theme first being introduced when Rocko is talking to his clown friends for the first time. This particular theme recurs numerous times throughout the scene. Each time it is heard again however, the theme has been doctored to reflect the current mood and atmosphere of the scene and what the characters are feeling.



Soloists

Carine Tinney - Angela Marsh
Louise Thomson - Mrs Marsh
David Fettes - Mr Marsh
Alan Martin - Bonko / Kera
Ross Wilson - Jim W
Steven Kelly - Narrator


Choir

Soprano - Kathleen Cronie, Carine Tinney, Louise Thomson
Alto - Kathryn Knight, Katie Richardson
Tenor - John Hails, Jack Kane, Robert Minns
Bass - Steven Kelly


Ensemble

Steven Anderson - Flute
Mandy MacEwan - Oboe
Stewart Houston - Clarinet
Kamran Sheppard - Tenor Saxophone
Andrew McLean - Trumpet
Ian Munro, Robin MacLennan - Percussion
Christopher Harding - Piano
Jean-Noel Attard, Bethany Young - Violin
Gemma Connor - Cello
Doug Kemp - Double Bass

Kenneth Dempster - Conductor


Special thanks to:

Kenneth Dempster
Polwarth Parish Church
Napier Development Grant
All the singers and instrumentalists
Our families and friends
Jennifer Bryce
Christopher Harding
Louise Thomson
John Hails
Eoin Welsh
Mary and Filipa Fallow

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Clown
• Circus
• Comic
• Opera
• Part
• Comedy
• Callum
• Barton
• Edinburgh
• Napier
• University
• BMus
• Classical
• Musical
• Theatre
• Disney
• Operetta
• Showcase
• Polwarth
• Parish
• Church