Robert North + LTLS Flashcards
(45 cards)
when and where is North born?
1945 in South Carolina
who is North?
• American Choreographer
• Educated in England
• North comes from an artistic background- father was sculptor
• created many work such as London Contemporary Dance Theatre and Ballet Rambert
what is North’s art?
• 4 yrs old taken to Europe by his father- museums
• worked with his father- learnt art at young age
• his father was an architect- North wanted to follow in his fathers career or a theatre designed
• studied at the London Central School of Art
what is North’s dance?
• went to ballet he then took dance classes to learn more about it for this theatre design
• then he decided to change full time to dance
• he previously played a lot of sports at school but missed being physical and exerting that sort of energy
• this is when he actually started taking dance classes
where did he study full time?
Central School of Art- taking dance classes in his spare time in 1963
where did take a course?
Royal Ballet School for 2 years in 1965
where did he start taking part time classes?
At the newly opened London School of Contemporary Dance in 1966
where did North become a member?
• London contemporary dance group in 1967 during their first tour
• In the Martha Grantham Company in 1968, he danced with in America
what are the 4 principles of Graham?
1) flexion
2) spiral
3) contraction
4) release
who did he return to England with?
Robert Cohan in 1969
• to become a permanent member of the London Contemporary Dance Theatre
• dancing and choreographing with them until 1981
what was North’s first work?
Troy Game in 1974
• created for an all male cast
• Troy Game is a celebration of the male dancer
what was North appointed for?
Associate Choreographer for LCDT in 1975
what did he choreograph and dance lead roles in?
• Played the role ‘Death’ in Death and the Maiden (1980)
• Played the lead role in ‘Lonely Town, Lonely Street’ (1981)
who did North become artistic director for?
Ballet Rambert
• a position he held until early 1986
what work did North remount?
Lonely Town, Lonely Street for Rambert Ballet (1981)
• originally created and performed by the Janet Smith Group in 1980
what other work did North remount?
Death and the Maiden for Rambert Ballet (1984)
• originally created and performed by London Contemporary Dance theatre in 1980
what has North done from 1986+?
• has worked all over the world as free lance choreographer and continues to make works but residing in Germany
what were the 3 influences?
• Martha Graham
• Architecture
• Art
what is the Graham Technique?
• created by the Martha Graham
• American dancer and choreographer
• 4 principles
how was architecture an influence?
• inspired by North’s father who was an architect
• North was fascinated with how things were put together, how things were constructed in space and shape
• he even choreographs entrances and exits
how was art an influence?
• studied and had an interest in Art, also collaborated with artists
• influenced by art after being appointed Artistic Director for Ballet Rambert
• North created works based around the paintings of Picasso and collaborated with fine artists (such as Bridget Riley)
what is North Stylistic Features?
• strong musicality and rhythmic awareness
• very dramatic eg gesture, actions, dynamics, eye, face
• highly emotive movement
• attention to detail
• ballet, jazz, principles of Graham
• choreographed entrances and exits
• craft: structure of the piece
• exploration of partnerships
• eclectic choice of music
• direct correlation
what is the most important part of North’s piece?
Choreography
what was parts of the choreography?
• narrative
- pieces often have a narrative or episodic structure to appear to audiences
• music first
- north choreographs to the music
• direct correlation
- the movement and music work together
• craft
- north believes in the creative process
• showcasing material
- north demonstrates all movements to the dancers in order to teach what he wants
