Musicals are a popular form of theatre, often featuring music, singing and dance. They have been around since the early 20th century and have become increasingly popular over the years. Musicals have become a mainstay of Broadway and West End theatres, as well as being made into movies and television shows.
The main difference between a musical and a play is that musicals feature songs and dances, whereas plays do not. This makes them more entertaining for audiences, as it adds an extra element to the performance.
Musicals tend to be more upbeat and light-hearted than plays, with stories often involving romance or comedy. They also tend to be longer than plays, as they need time for the songs and dances to be properly performed.
Musicals usually incorporate some kind of plot or story line which will be told through the dialogue between characters, as well as through the songs and dances. The songs usually reflect what is happening in the story at any given moment and can also be used to express emotions or inner thoughts that cannot be expressed through dialogue alone. The dances can also provide an additional level of expression or emotion to scenes or moments in the musical that would otherwise feel static without them.
Many musicals are based on real life events or stories, such as ‘Les Misérables’ which is based on Victor Hugo’s novel of the same name about 19th century France. Others can take inspiration from fairy tales such as ‘Cinderella’ or ‘Sleeping Beauty’ or from classic novels such as ‘Pride & Prejudice’ which was turned into a musical by Alan Jay Lerner in 1950 called ‘My Fair Lady’. The possibilities for stories for musicals are endless!
In conclusion, it is clear that a musical is very much a type of theatre – one that incorporates music, singing and dancing into its performances to tell stories in an entertaining way. It has become one of the most popular forms of theatre over recent years due to its fun combination of elements which make it enjoyable for all ages.