Oh that's easy - plenty of plays are told in flashback.
The first challenge is scene changes, but if everything is set in one place - Hogwarts for example, then that's not an issue. But if locations jump all over the place, then it's the same challenge one
faces for a show that has a linear narrative.
The Wizard of Oz, for example, has a huge amount of scene changes.
Shrek the Musical is another that comes to mind. Also Oliver!
and
Les Miserables and
Spamalot. So....
- you can build lots of scenery that can be quickly and easily moved on and off stage, and use lots of stagehands to make those changes.
OR...
- you can use painted scenic drops (ballets and operas often do this, where you aren't expecting complete realism, and the scenery isn't why you're there anyway) that can be dropped down
and pulled back up in a matter of seconds, and then you just roll in a few pieces of furniture and props to complete whatever the setting is.
OR....
- you have a non-realistic, non-representational set. Particular locations can be established just by a change of lighting, and maybe a projected image. This is from
Pippin, and the setting changes from
the interior of a small chapel to the court of the Holy Roman Empire...but it doesn't really matter, because you're paying attention to the singing. :bg:
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And then this is supposed to outdoors, in the fields outside a castle in the country:
No Time at All from Pippin From YouTube SF-Fandom not responsible for video content |
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Now as for how you make it clear what is flashback and what isn't... well, many options. If the setting is different, then it's clear what is taking when. If it's an adult remembering his childhood,
then you can use a younger actor. Or the adult actor can step into the flashback scene with maybe a slight costume change, but act much younger, signifying that this is in the past.