SEMIOTICS OF SET DESIGN IN OLA ROTIMI’S “THE GODS ARE NOT TO BLAME” PRODUCTION

Abstract

Set design spices up theatrical performances especially as a significant requirement. The contribution of set design to the overall success of performances on stage is inevitable as demonstrated in available literature. In spite of this contribution, set design has been neglected by many theatre practitioners, a problem which has necessitated this study. Therefore, this research looks into the semiotics of set design in the theatrical production of Ola Rotimi’s The Gods Are Not To Blame as directed by Rasaki Ojo Bakare. It is basically meant to project the effect of design in theatrical production. This study uses Participant Observation and In-Depth Interview methods of data collection. Relevant literary materials will also be consulted to help elucidate the subject matter. Through these relevant methods, this study stresses out the relevance of set design to any theatre production, as it is hinged on the theory of semiotics as perceived by different scholars such as John Locke, Umberto Eco and Ferdinard Dessasure. Using qualitative method of data analysis which is applicable to the arts and humanities, this study concludes that, the use of set design in the theatre is inevitable in theatrical productions because this research has found out that set design tends to attract the audience more than any other aspect of a production. Set design also depicts the crust of the play text with the use of physical visual images in theatre as a major factor which influences the rate at which the audience understands.