All 4 One is a fast paced, fluid musical and so the staging should always ensure that the flow of the story is never impeded.
At no point should the audience have to wait for any change of scenery or development from one location to another.
To facilitate this vision All 4 One can be performed with minimal set; in fact it may easily be presented without any set at all. The onus is on underscore and/or simple lighting effects to move the story forward and help to create or enhance both location and mood.
Specific lighting effects are suggested within the libretto. These are shown either in isolation, or combined with underscore, to enable the Director to produce instantaneous transitions between scenes as well as to heighten any given mood.
Precise bar numbers have been notated to assist the production team with effecting this smooth transition.
In all other circumstances, a split stage and simple pools of light are all that is necessary to develop out of one scene and into the next.
Musically the sound of the orchestra should be warm, rich and large. Tempos are clearly marked, but there must be lyrical interpretation of key songs, such as Guilty, Silence My Heart, See the Light and Life Love Loyalty. In contrast, songs such as Two Heads of State should have a driving power, and in this case the play-in must not be tentative or under speed. The Director and Musical Director should listen to the official CD as a point of reference.
Whilst full sets do of course add to the experience and can be integrated easily, where budget is restricted there is no necessity to use an expensive set or props to produce a vibrant and engaging performance.
With the added ingredient of costumes and extremely colourful characters, the final effect is a well paced, emotional and dynamic piece of musical theatre.
![[All 4 One]](photos/caod024.jpg)