Why Is Musical Theatre Classed as a Non-Naturalistic Performance Style?

Musical Theatre|Theater

Musical theatre is a form of performance which is both theatrical and musical. It combines elements of music, acting, singing and dancing to create a unique form of entertainment. Musical theatre has been around for centuries and has evolved over time to become a popular form of entertainment in many countries.

Musical theatre is typically classed as a ‘non-naturalistic’ performance style. This means that it does not attempt to accurately represent the real world or the people within it.

Instead, the performance relies on exaggerated gestures, stylised movement and heightened emotions to convey its message. This approach allows for more imaginative interpretations of stories and characters than would be possible with more traditional forms of performance.

The non-naturalistic elements of musical theatre are often used to create a heightened sense of drama and emotion within the performance. The audience is invited to suspend their disbelief in order to fully appreciate the story and characters being presented on stage. This allows for greater emotional investment from the audience, and can make for an incredibly powerful experience.

The use of music within musical theatre adds another layer of emotion which helps bring the story alive in a way that words alone cannot achieve. Music can be used to heighten tension, create atmosphere or express emotion in ways that words simply cannot do justice to. Music can also act as a bridge between scenes or characters, allowing them to interact without having to speak directly with one another.

The combination of music, acting, singing and dancing creates an entertaining blend of artistry which speaks directly to audiences across cultures and generations. Musical theatre is an incredibly versatile genre which can be adapted easily depending on the needs of any particular production or audience; making it an ever-evolving art form which continues to captivate audiences around the world.

Conclusion:

Musical theatre is classed as a non-naturalistic performance style because it does not attempt to accurately represent reality but instead relies on exaggerated gestures, stylised movements and heightened emotions in order to tell its story effectively. The use of music within musical theatre helps add an extra layer of emotion which brings characters alive in ways that words alone cannot achieve; making it an incredibly popular form of entertainment all over the world.