The rhythm of the script: Dev Neupane’s sound sense

Neupane is one of the few people—if not the only one—in Nepal devoted to the art of theatrical sound design. What makes him tick?

A good theatrical sound design doesn’t call attention to itself. It enhances what’s happening on the stage—the emotions, the mood, the atmosphere. It often goes unnoticed, as do several backstage works crucial to a play’s success. “Sound design is a stepchild,” as a reviewer once wrote , “neglected at best, abused at worst”.