Shadows

Question 1

Who choreographed shadows?

Answer 1

Christopher Bruce

Question 2

What company created shadows?

Answer 2

Phoenix Dance Company

Question 3

What date did shadows premiere?

Answer 3

November 26th 2014

Question 4

How many dancers are featured in shadows?

Answer 4

4 dancers (2 female, 2 male)

Question 5

What dance styles are included in shadows?

Answer 5

‘Neo - classical’ - modern technique with a combination of ballet and contemporary

Question 6

What’s the stimulus of shadows?

Answer 6

• From the music (what inspired him) - Avro Part’s ‘ Fratres’ for violin and piano = starting point.
  ‘The music evokes images of European history and traditional steeped in over 1000 years of suffering and human experience’ - Christopher Bruce.
  The music is chaotic, fast paced and looks at internal struggle.
  Bruce uses this to inspire his story about a family coming to terms with a powerful outside force that they cannot control.

Question 7

What’s the choreographic intention of shadows?

Answer 7

• Christopher Bruce’s works are often ‘ politically aware’ - they make reference to past or current political events across the world and the effect they have on human life.
• In this piece, we are all invited into the world of a small family, possibly in eastern Europe who are coming to terms with poverty, deprivation and the realities of what lies outside their family home.
• Bruce describes this as a darker work with some narrative.
• He wanted the audience to make their own interpretation as to what was happening.

Question 8

Describe the set on stage of shadows

Answer 8

• Simple plain coat hanger.
• Old worn and slightly marked suitcase and coats - suitcases are a constant reminder that they are being forced to leave their home.
• Mismatched worn wooden furniture - worn furniture reflects poverty and can represent how they’re feeling.

Question 9

Describe the sons costume

Answer 9

• Dark trousers.
• Untucked shirt.
• Oversized - purposely last longer, maybe hand me downs, represents poverty (emphasising lack of control from outside force).

Question 10

Describe the daughter’s costume

Answer 10

• Cream blouse
• Long light blue skirt.
• Oversized - purposely last longer, maybe hand me downs, represents poverty (emphasising lack of control from outside force).

Question 11

Describe the father’s costume

Answer 11

• Formal and tucked in shirt.
• Dull and old clothes.
• Oversized.

Question 12

Describe the mother’s costume

Answer 12

• Floral dress.
• Old looking outfit represent the time period.
• Gendered.

Question 13

Describe the movement content in the daughters movements in shadows

Answer 13

• Constantly quick and frantic dynamics that incorporate child like actions.
  For example =
• She runs forward crouches and slides on her bum.
• This represents panic frustration and impatience.
• As a child cannot process their emotions (chaotic).

Question 14

Describe the movement content of the mothers movement in shadows

Answer 14

• Slower with actions that appear delicate and collected.
  For example =
• Slow plié with turned out feet and upright posture.
• This shows she wants to stay calm and ease the children’s worries.
• She’s also scared herself.

Question 15

Describe the movement content of the fathers movements in shadows

Answer 15

• Calm, stable and grounded. Leeds majority of partner work and lots of lifts initates turns and movement with partner.
• Guiding his family through their worries.
• Protecting his wife and kids and doesn’t show fear.

Question 17

Describe the movement content of the sons movement in shadows

Answer 17

• Aggressive, forceful, powerful and sudden, again incorporating child like movements.
  For example =
• Repeated motif of slamming feet and fists on floor - tantrum.
• Fear, panic and anger.
• Wants to protect his family but doesn’t know how to - child’s response to contrast father.