The River Niger | Style

The River Niger Style

Music

The only musical accompaniment specified in the play is that of a bass. Interestingly, the Bass Player is listed as one of the characters, although not actually part of the story or seen on stage. The Bass Player, who "provides musical poetry for the play," is described as "highly skillful at creating a mood." The bass line fades in and out to create a particular mood at key points in the play, often associated with specific characters. Grandma's solo trips into the kitchen to sneak alcohol from her various hiding places are often accompanied by a bass line, sometimes as a backup to her frequent singing of hymns. A bass line also accompanies John when he is reading his poetry aloud, either to himself or others, sometimes specifically with a "jazz theme." A bass line often accompanies Ann during key moments of the play. When she first enters the Williams'...
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