Rooster and Bruce's other works <3 Flashcards
(33 cards)
When was Swansong created
1987 - London Festival Ballet
1995 - Rambert
Influences and origins of Swansong
—> Collaboration between Bruce and Chambon
—> Commedia Dell’Arte - use of comedy to explore tropical issues
—> Subject matter - human rights, prisoner conscience - unfair imprisonment
What’s Bruce’s dance / choreographic style
—> Vaudeville
—> Jazz
—> Tap
—> Contemporary - Graham based technique
—> Gestural
—> Theatrical/dramatic
—> Classical ballet technique
—> Episodic structure
What’s the impact of this work
—> Bruce was Artistic director when he revived this work for Rambert in 1995
—> Highlights human rights being abused within a prisoner, guard relationship
—> Positive links between Amnesty International and human rights
—> Accessible to audiences and was popular to watch
What’s a basic overview of the storyline of Swansong
Swansong is about the emotional torment of a prisone abused by an authority figure due to the inequality within power
What does the subject matter of a dance include
The overall narrative of the piece and themes
What are some key themes within Swansong
—> Unfair entrapment
—> Mental exhaustion wearing down ones soul
—> Bruces final gesture before retirement - swansong is the final song a swan sings before death
—> Prisoner conscience
—> Human rights
What are some key points about the aural setting of Swansong
—> by Philip Chambon
—> Unaccompanied interludes enabling up to hear the tapping of the feet by the guards
What were some key points about the lighting within Swansong
—> Atmospheric
—> Diagonal shaft of light from upstage left - reflects the light to heaven at the end, a window within the prison cell, symbolism of an escape ect
—> overhead lighting
What were the set and props used within Swansong
—> Chair - used as a weapon, shield, shackles, window, safe place and defense
—> Canes, red nose (degrades victim)
—> Bare stage except chair
The interrogators always exit stage right, how is this significant within the work Swansong
Open to interpretation however some examples :
—> Moving away from the shaft of light may reflect how they feel they don’t need this symbolisation of hope since they have higher authority
—> Disgust with the prisoners association with the ‘window’ and inability to understand his fixation, so trying to stay away
What are some key motifs using the chair within the work of Swansong
—> The male performer holds the chair behind his back with his arms reaching up over his head, and takes some wide steps in a laboured manner, reflecting this mental fatigue and constant beliteration
—> The dancer holds the chair up to eye level and looks through the back of the chair facing the front, reflecting the bars on a prion window
—> He places his feet into the gaps within the chair and takes 2 steps with this restriction caused by the chair towards the shaft of light
What’s the prisoners main motif facing the shaft of light from the upstage left diagonal within Bruce’s work Swansong
—> The performer (prisoner) faces the upstage left diagonal towards the light in arabesque (with downstage leg up extended) lifting the front arm up
—> This is done in a controlled manner with an underlying sense of desperation and tiredness from the constant beliteration from the guards
When was Ghost Dancers created
Premiere 1981
What were the influences and origins of Ghost Dancers
—> The political oppression in Chile under the dictatorship of the Pinochet
—> Pinochet’s regime was responsible for the murders of innocent people and protesters
—> Draws on political themes
—> Joan Jara - met after her husband was tortured and eventually machine gunned to death due to creating protest songs
—> Human rights - this was his first dance dealing with political oppression
What are some key gestures present within this piece showing the subject matter
—> Surrender position - lady in the red dress, representing her surrendering to the government
—> Hugs - also seen in lady in the red dress in section 3, shows this thought of their unsurity of whether or not their loves one may return - shows Joan Jara’s influence
What’s the narrative of Ghost Dancers
Ghost dancers is about people caught in political oppression : innocent people who died, disappeared or were murdered.
The ghosts represent death. The dead represent the millions of everyday people around the world who died at the hands of political dictatorships and war.
What were the costumes of the Ghost dancers and Villagers
The Ghost Dancers : they have skull masks with matted hair and near naked bodies. Their bodies are painted in black body paint which outlined their muscles and bone structure. They have black rags around their waists, upper arms, wrists and below their knees.
The dead (villagers) : they have a dishevelled appearance and suggest ordinary people who have been through trauma. They are half complete and half ragged. They are in everyday clothing and allow for freedom of movement.
What was the impact of Ghost Dances
—> drawing upon political themes which engages audiences and promotes awareness
—> Showcases the dancers’ ability to perform in the blending of ballet and contemporary technique
—> Revived many times for Rambert - demonstrating the key ethos of Rambert, preserving old works
What are some key themes within Ghost Dancers
–> Abuse of power
–> Death
–> Grief
–> Loss of a loved one
–> Lack of control
–> Unity (chain during Ghost Dancers section)
How are the rocks used within the work
—> Ghost dancers sit on them as if they’re watching over their prey
—> Villagers hide behind the rocks to shield away from ‘death’
What does the raggedness of the villagers outfits convey
Shows that they have been through torture and a lower class
Who was the lady in the red dress influenced by and what was the section called (what does it stand for)
—> Influenced by Joan Jara
—> Dolencias - to get hurt in Spanish
What is Commedia dell rate within swansong, and how is it shown
—> Glen Tetley and Bruce draw upon the human condition (way we behave) and draw upon its characters
—> Exaggerated character of the guards/interrogators are enhanced to make them more stereotypical
