As promised, incidental music from Theatre Banshee's production of 'Of Mice and Men' can now be heard here. Music composed by Troy Sterling Nies, music performed by 'Trio Apollo' woodwind trio: Tonya Mertz, oboe, Michelle Kiec, clarinet and Sara Boyd, bassoon.
Someday’ is the prelude piece - as I thought of Lennie’s vision of a simple way of life, the rain in the winter, living off the fat of the land. George’s vision is in there as well although a bit more melancholic. The uplifting part in the middle is where they both share the vision for a fleeting moment, but perhaps George’s vision is a bit jaded by the realism of their situation.
‘The Machine’ isn’t a literal musical interpretation of Lennie crushing Curly’s hand. Rather, it’s the representation of working on a ranch, a farm, with the machinery, the threshing machines, the routine. There is a bit of an unsettled undercurrent that suggests trouble ahead - this was suggested to be used as a lead-in after intermission.
‘Tending Rabbits’ is a musical interpretation of another of our duo’s vision of their paradise. The Rabbits are musically represented by the melody line that is interwoven between the three players. There is still a somber, almost naïve tone with a melancholic resolution to the end.
Theatre Banshee's 'Of Mice and Men' tickets and information can be obtained at http://www.theatrebanshee.org/