A Critical Interpretation of Set and Light Designs in <i>Kiriji War</i> Production

Abstract

Set and light are two critical components of the mise-en-scene exhibition in a typical stage production. However, these two areas of  aesthetic expression suffered untold neglect in visual /artistic appreciations especially in theatrical theory and criticism. This paper  examines the interpretative and vital roles of set and light designs in Kiriji War play - a Yoruba performance staged on the 30th of January  2017, at the Olabisi Onabanjo University. In deploying simplicity and unity theory propounded by E. G. Craig in the text, Scene, these  researchers employed participant observation, library study, and analytical research methods in data collection and interpretation, while  the 2017 stage production of Wale Ogunyemi‘s Kiriji War drama text is used as a case study. Findings reveal that set and light are not only  deployed in the establishment of different locations, used as transitional and transformation devices but also utilized in projecting  the various gestures, moods and atmosphere of the production which contributed to its overall aesthetic impacts. It is then concluded  that the effective deployment of these two mise-en-scene components along with other elements of visual communication in this production enables the artistic director to display his meditative roles and achieve his interpretative aims within the vision of the director  of the production.