This dissertation develops the premise that, whilst conceding the difficulties inherent in the medium,
musical theatre should be regarded as an art form, worthy of serious critical evaluation. This view is
supported by a detailed examination of four works, chosen from different periods of Sondheim's career:
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1962); Sweeney Todd (1979); Into the Woods
(1988) and Assassins (1991). The argument develops through the application of accepted literary
critical procedures and systematically examines the thematic and prosodic content of the lyrics, as well
as their dramatic potentiality, growing in Sondheim's more mature works, which suggests a seriousness
of intent manifest in other forms of the dramatic arts. The emotional and dramatic contribution of the
music is examined, in the way it creates mood and atmosphere and modifies or comments on action
and character, promoting a musical vocabulary that accommodates a dramatic function. / English Studies / M.A. (English)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:umkn-dsp01.int.unisa.ac.za:10500/17165 |
| Date | 11 1900 |
| Creators | Lambert, Josephine Gay |
| Contributors | Ferguson, Ian, Scott, Geoffrey |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation |
| Format | 1 online resource (265 leaves) : illustrations |
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