Oh What a Lovely War: Sound design (direction, amplification, music, sound effects)

Sound Design Elements

Direction of Sound: The sound in “Oh, What a Lovely War!” is often diegetic, originating from within the world of the play itself. Use of off-stage sounds—such as gunshots or the far-off voices of soldiers—creates a sense of an extended, unseen battlefield.
Amplification: Amplified sounds in the play effectively underline its themes, such as the loud bangs of weapons that contrast with the merry tunes played. This exaggeration helps emphasise the absurdity and horror of the war.

Songs: The use of contemporary songs to tell the story is central to the play’s narrative style. These songs, often full of humour and irony, caricature the ignorance and manipulation of the masses by the war authorities.
Instrumental: The cheerful melodies of circus music ironically underscore the horror of war. This contrast between what we hear and what we see powerfully elucidates the play’s critique of the war.

Background Noise: Sound effects such as explosions, gunshots and whistles, and ambient noise such as crowd murmurs, give a sense of the war’s chaos. They create a disturbing backdrop to the musical performances.
Voice Effects: Different modulation, pitch and volume of character voices underscore their roles—loud, pompous generals, enthusiastic soldiers, and chirpy, encouraging women characters, for instance.

Contrasting Tones: The contrast between the cheerful music and harsh war sounds implicates the government and the press in glamorising the war, thereby manipulating the public into supporting it.
Symbolism Through Sound: The sounds of war act as a stark reminder of the pain, fear, and destruction happening in the background of the central, often light-hearted action.
Satire Through Sound: The constant juxtaposition of joyful music bits with horrific sound of gunshots, shellings and cries underscores the play’s satirical commentary on the absurdity and devastation of war.