First On-Stage Essay: Aida By Andrew

Aida, a story of love and the trials that result of them, managed to prove to me to be a much better show that I would have anticipated. From being a surprisingly original beginning that started in modern time that was eventually explained at the end which complimented this beginning scene. Or from the fact that the actors had such a great deal of emotion and really, really came across as being sincere about what they were doing. All of this though was also made very easy to watch and understand by how and well they moved on the stage and how their body language spoke out.

The very start at the museum surprised me, especially when I saw them just walking around looking at the art work. I was though tipped off about the fact that I could figure out some of the characters without any prior knowledge. Such as the King who I though looked wither to be a Pharaoh or the King of Nubia. This scene though came full circle in the end which really touched me in a way that I wasn’t expecting and how both Aida and Rademes kept there promise that they’d find each other in the next life when they were buried together. With how well they managed to pull it off and how the curtain fell right as they made eye contact it all the better and more meaningful. Essentially this part managed to pull the entire thing together, especially coming full circle with how an extended period of mercy and peace came as a result of all the activities that brought about the conclusion of the past events.

The next most amazing feeling about Aida was how involved the actors were with their characters. It was incredible to be so close and actually see spit fly out of the mouths when they screamed and be able to see into the eyes of the actors and actually see the emotions that they were portraying. When Mereb was stabbed you could actually see the pain and suffering in his eyes and the anguish that he would never get to see his home country again. Other such things that showed how well in tune the characters were with each other were in parts such as ‘Like Father Like Son’ were Zoser and his entourage were perfectly in sync with where he pointed their heads to go and they went. Beyond this they all acted so very well together that it almost seemed as if they could really have been there. The only ting that would have made it even better was if the music didn’t cover the actors up at certain points.

As you can no doubt see, Aida is a very original and very well done musical. From the actors nearly perfect parts to the very well done ‘Every Story Is a Love Story’ and its reprise with all the actors putting in great efforts in both acting and movement (choreographing). All of these combined to allow this musical to have an identity of its own, separate from the identity of other musicals. With all of these behind it Aida is a very well done musical with a very strong cast that is extremely dedicated and involved.