COMPOSING:THE MORRIGAN
I worked on this score with Louise Conaghan of Play Make-Believe, to add music, sound effects and voiceover elements to a one-person theatre production. The job included all stages from initial concept through to recording, mix, master and delivery.
The Morrigan blended elements of horror and comedy into a theatre production aimed at young audiences.
I created this score from rehearsal videos - the aim being to write cues that would provide a rhythmic framework for movement in each scene, as well as enhancing the atmosphere of macabre playfulness throughout the first part of the show..
I also created 'beds' - for the pre show and also to underpin a storytelling section. Both are primarily textural and atmospheric, specifically designed so as not to draw too much attention.
The music and sound effects for the show were created over the course of a single week, from connect discussions and demoing through to writing, mix, master and delivery.
The show then played at an exclusive, socially-distanced event in An Grainnan Theatre, in Letterkenny.
01. AUDITORIUM ATMOSPHERE
This piece is a soundscape, designed to be played on a loop to create an atmosphere of anticipation throughout the auditorium as the audience gradually takes their seats. I blended synth textures with Irish Whistle, fiddle and some crow sound effects.
02. THE MORRIGAN AWAKES
This introduction piece plays as the Morrigan comes to life onstage. It is designed to be unsettling, drawing on atonal harmony and string effect sounds created by the orchestra that eventually climb with the percussion before resolving.
03. LEARNING TO FLY
The Morrigan takes the form of a bird, gradually remembering how to fly - awkwardly discovering her wings at first... before eventually starting to glide... then soaring majestically through the air. This was another piece that had a very specific function to underpin movement and physicality.
04. THE CROW
Still in her bird form, the Morrigan moves across the stage, exploring the space and then examining the audience. Again, we looked at horror elements, but also explored 'magical' sounds (whole tone scale / celeste etc) to begin to lift the sense of dread and provide some respite for a young audience.
05. THE PORTAL OPENS
In stark contrast, this piece was to feel buzzing and electronic - as though a portal had been opened for interdimensional travel. I went for ugly, harsh, buzzing textures mixed with the string elements, aiming for Nicola Tesla's horror score.
06. LIVING THINGS ALL AROUND
Much later in the show, as the Morrigan reads a story, I created a sound bed to evoke the feeling of being in the countryside, surrounded by living things. It provides an effective contrast to the dread and discomfort of the opening pieces, instead evoking a sense of calm and beauty.
