Manic Miner - The Opera, Scene I: Central Cavern

Music by Colin Broom. Libretto by Colin Edwards. Sung by Kenny Reid.

Back in 2005, I composed 3 short pieces for a comedy sketch about a (fictional) new opera of Manic Miner, the classic 80s platform game, as part of the Franz Kafka Big Band radio show. Since then the music's been sitting doing nothing, so I figured it was time to "stage" it, so to speak.

I used the CPC Amstrad version of the game since that's the one I grew up with (and it also because it looks slightly better than the classic speccy version).

Manic Miner was created by Matthew Smith in 1983, and remains a classic and very playable platform game. If you've never played it, go find an emulator and have a go.

This is the first of 3 pieces written for Manic Miner - the Opera. If I get time, I'll do the other 2.

Category:

Comedy

Tags:

• manic miner opera
• manic miner
• manic
• miner
• spectrum
• amstrad
• retro
• computer
• game
• franz kafka big band
• song
• colin broom
• colin Edwards
• Kenny Reid
• 80s
• wacky
• amoebatrons
• machinima
• commodore
• matthew smith
• jet
• set
• willy
• videogame
• video
• opera

[DrPlatypusMan]

Does the miner feel discouraged because he suspects that he is under the influence of a poor player? Or does he believe that he actually is in control, yet lacks the confidence in himself to avoid the amoebatrons?

[colinoid]

@DrPlatypusMan

Hmmm, tough call. Perhaps he feels essentially autonomous, but guided by some unseen hand, but at the same time some deep repressed memory tells him that he's not yet ready to face the amoebatrons.

[DrashigsAndDragons]

"Encore!" (Oh no, it was re-released on Mastertronic - my mistake! :D ) Great vid - More please!

[colinoid]

@DrashigsAndDragons

Thanks! Am probably going to do the next one pretty soon.

[whatthepingas]

1:59 penis cart

[TheElectricDream]

Brilliant. Utube contains these rare pieces of real creativity. Sequels please.

[chuckieegg]

Nice effort. But I still have a chiptune version of Grieg's "In The Hall Of The Mountain King burnished into my brain, and this doesn't erase that.

[DeepDean]

Nice going. A shame it inst the Spectrum version

[tomthumbplum]

You got to get a girlfriend my friend

[DrPlatypusMan]

@colinoid

I've been thinking about this a lot. I think that the evidence better supports the "miner autonomy" theory, rather than the "unseen hand theory". What convinced me was when Miner Willy proclaimed that the obstacle was "no problem" because he was "athletic". I think this is good evidence that Miner Willy feels his success or failure is entirely dependent on his own abilities. The department has been anxiously awaiting your next philosophical work, Colinoid. Please try to finish them

[ppk909]

Good work :)

[manicminer87]

Check out manicminer.se for some nice Miner WIlly clothing.