Shadows Flashcards
(23 cards)
Who is the choreographer of Shadows?
Christopher Bruce
What company performed Shadows?
Phoenix Dance Theatre
When did Shadows premiere?
2014
What dance style is featured in Shadows?
Neo-classical (classical & contemporary)
What is the choreographic approach of Shadows?
Collaborative - centred around family table; furniture is main part; influenced by music
What are the stimuli of Shadows?
Arvo Pärt’s ‘Fratres’ - evoked images of European history & tradition; 1000s of years of suffering; relationships between family dealing with outside force
How many dancers are in Shadows?
4
What is the structure of Shadows?
Semi-narrative; solo; duet; trio; quartet
What is the performance environment of Shadows?
End stage
What is the choreographic intent of Shadows?
Politics affecting human life; family in deprivation and poverty; what lies outside family home
What are some actions in the son’s solo in Shadows?
Running; lifting props; clenched fists; pounding floor; swinging arms; kicks with flexed feet; rolling; dropping; hiding; gazing (towards centre)
What are the dynamics in Shadows?
Son - powerful; sharp; aggressive; forceful (angry; distressed); Daughter - frantic; urgent (fearful; panic); rapid; Mother - soft; gentle; fluid (maternal; supportive); Father - controlled; calm; consistent (supportive; guides family)
What is the space like in Shadows?
Son: travelling USL-DSR (towards corner from table); floor work (low level); large pathways (frustrated); All: return to USL table (centre of family unit); travel towards DSR (danger)
What relationships are shown in Shadows?
Contact - supporting & lifting daughter; Lead & follow - following actions of father; Complementary - actions & dynamic in final quartet; unity and support; Unison - moments with father; united/family bond
What are some motifs in Shadows?
Head/body turn to DSR diagonal (all); pounding fists (son); leaning on another in alignment (all on father); tucking hair behind ear (mother)
How is the motif development shown in Shadows?
Head turn - change in dynamics; slow apprehensive to quick and sudden; Hair tucking - 1st in plank; then in higher level ballroom hold; Lean - direction (towards/away from audience); level (mid-level to sitting); instrumentation (shoulder lean to shoulder on chest lean); Pounding fists - direction (lying on front then back); level (lying on floor then sitting upright with fists to side of body)
How is the choreographic intent realized in Shadows?
Politics affecting human life - varying dynamics & choreo for each character shows how humans respond differently to situations; Family in deprivation & poverty - distressed dynamics & supportive actions for each other; What lies outside family home - characters repeatedly travel to and from DSR (exit of home); son uses props to hide from DSR
What are the choreographic devices used in Shadows?
Motif & development - shows individual characters/their emotions; Repetition - enhances key actions; Climax - son’s solo builds to climax; providing contrast; Unison & mirroring
What is the relationship between the aural setting and the choreography in Shadows?
Direct correlation - music and sections of choreo complement each other; Frantic strings + fast footwork shows fear of daughter; Soft & slow music for mother’s more gentle dynamic in solo; Double stopping of violin correlates with distressed climactic choreo of son
What is the costume like in Shadows?
1930/40s style reflects era but could be modern day; Shirts; trousers; skirts; blouses & dresses suggest gender; Faded/worn colors suggest deprivation; Oversized coats worn at the end; suggest hand-me-downs - poverty; Everyday clothing reflects everyday people; Hair tied up for clear facial expressions
What is the staging and setting in Shadows?
Black box setting - minimal set; bare walls & floor suggest poverty & low class; Table; benches; 2 stools USL - family home centered around dining table; Tables & stools thrown by son & used as barrier; helping connect with his fear; At the end; dancers put on coats & carry suitcases; showing they are about to leave home
What is the aural setting in Shadows?
Pre-recorded version of Arvo Pärt’s ‘Fratres’ for piano & violin; Eastern European feel; Minor key; dark solemn atmosphere; Music structure complements choreography; Frantic strings; softer tones for family support; Sudden changes to chord-like sounds with violin build up to climax
What is the lighting like in Shadows?
Dim lighting - families had to ration electricity during war; Focused USL at family table; subtle changes show shadow cast over them; Bright lights in son’s solo show emotional distress; Sidelights light stage during solos/duets/trios; Localized lighting creates intimate space - room within a house; Overhead lamp used at the end to symbolize leaving the family home
