Song and Dance

We are using song and dance in our play to make the play more interesting to both perform and to watch. For example, during the birth scene, Daphne sings 'Twinkle Twinkle' a song everyone knows. However we incorporated more than one verse, as the lyrics we know are not necessarily the most effective ones. The full song is as follows:

Twinkle, twinkle, little star, 
How I wonder what you are. 
Up above the world so high, 
Like a diamond in the sky. 

When the blazing sun is gone, 
When he nothing shines upon, 
Then you show your little light, 
Twinkle, twinkle, all the night. 

Then the traveller in the dark, 
Thanks you for your tiny spark, 
He could not see which way to go, 
If you did not twinkle so. 

In the dark blue sky you keep, 
And often through my curtains peep, 
For you never shut your eye, 
Till the sun is in the sky. 

As your bright and tiny spark, 
Lights the traveller in the dark. 
Though I know not what you are, 
Twinkle, twinkle, little star. 

Twinkle, twinkle, little star. 
How I wonder what you are. 
Up above the world so high, 
Like a diamond in the sky. 

Twinkle, twinkle, little star. 
How I wonder what you are. 
How I wonder what you are. 

Adding the extra verses in makes the song more meaningful. There is a massive element of journey and maturing in the play especially with characters like Daphne and Mau. Therefore we added the extra verses to give context to our performance. Plus there is also a theme of stars as the islanders are both fascinated by them and worship them. The new lyrics allow us to express underlying story lines and themes in a new way that the audience are initially familiar with but then are immersed in a sense of discovery through the lyrics that they may not be as familiar with. 
We also included a sea shanty 'South Australia.' 
In South Australia I was born, heave away, haul away
In South Australia, 'round Cape Horn, we're bound for South Australia

Haul away your rolling king, heave away, haul away
Haul away, you'll hear me sing, we're bound for South Australia

In South Australia I was born, heave away, haul away
In South Australia, 'round Cape Horn, we're bound for South Australia 

This song is used to express a happiness when travelling refugees from 'the great wave' realise they will be provided with food and shelter. As there is a language barrier between Daphne and the islanders, in a ensemble moment of celebration using the medium of song is effective as music is a multicultural language that everyone can share in. Music and singing adds another layer to the performance for the audience to indulge in and understand the performance through.

Another multicultural 'language' that we use to express different elements of the play is dance. We use it to celebrate a birthday and mourn someones death. Both scenes peak a certain emotion proving how effective dance can be in expressing emotion when done properly. If someone doesn't commit to the performance it then looks strange and out of place, loosing its purpose completely. However when done well it can set the scene for the audience and transports them further into the world of our play.  

The all blacks rugby team haka is a dance inspired by a Maori tradition celebrating the child of the God of the Sun and his wife the Summer maid. The child was named Tane-rore who represents the trembling of the air on a hot day which is represented by the shaking of their hands in the dance. The men normally are at the forefront dancing and the women are at the rear supporting with vocals. The haka commonly seen today is the haka taparahi which is the haka without weapons. The dance is an important part of the Maori culture that expresses passion and identity of the race. It is used to welcome and entertain visitors. Tribal reputation was based on your ability to perform the dance.

I think this would be appropriate for our performance as Mau is part of a tribe and throughout the play he is trying to prove himself to the elders and others in the tribe, which is what this dance is used for. It is a dance for all occasions and as dance is used in our performance under many different circumstances it would be appropriate to use.