A Day in the Death of Joe Egg: Sound design (direction, amplification, music, sound effects)

A Day in the Death of Joe Egg: Sound design (direction, amplification, music, sound effects)

The Importance of Sound

  • The sound design in “A Day in the Death of Joe Egg” plays a crucial role in establishing the emotional tone and progression of the narrative.
  • Different types of sound - direction, amplification, music and sound effects - work in harmony to produce this layered effect.

Sound Direction

  • Sound direction helps to contextualise and complement what is happening on stage.
  • For instance, offstage sounds such as a school bell or the sounds of a bustling street help establish Bri’s profession and the setting.

Sound Amplification

  • Amplification can be used to underscore key moments or emotions within the play.
  • For example, the loud shriek of a bell could signal alarm or distress, whilst the softish murmur of a lullaby sung by Sheila could evoke tenderness.

Music

  • Music can provide an atmospheric background and indicate time or place.
  • In identifying the era, 1960s popular music or snipplets of TV show themes can help set the scene.
  • Also, diegetic music - such as Sheila’s lullaby or Bri’s humourous songs - help to convey deeper elements of their characters and the emotional landscape of their lives.

Sound Effects

  • Sound effects are instrumental in creating authenticity in staged action.
  • Everyday sounds like the radio playing, phone ringing, or kettle boiling help to create a convincing home environment for Joe.
  • Conversely, harsh sounds such as sudden, loud noises can be used to signify Joe’s seizures, creating an unsettling contrast to the otherwise everyday home sounds.

Sound Within the Narrative

  • The narrative includes references to the lack of sound, particularly emphasising the silence that surrounds Joe.
  • This silence can be more potent than any sound effect, underscoring the tragic reality of Joe’s condition.

Emotional Resonance of Sound

  • Sound design should not be isolated from the emotional content of the play.
  • For instance, the contrast between the cheerful tunes Bri often hums or sings and the heavy emotional weight of their situation can underline the tragicomic nature of the play.

Sound as Foreshadowing

  • Sound can also act as a device for foreshadowing.
  • The impending sounds like thunder or a ticking clock can hint at the inevitable tragedy approaching in the lives of Bri, Sheila and Joe.