Chapter 3: The Constituent Features of Dance: Movement: Swan Lake

Question 1

How does Mathew Bourne use Level in Swan Lake?

Answer 1

• in classical ballet the emphasis is on high level
• the young prince lies asleep in bed the swans emerge from beneath the bed and later assume a commanding position at a high level on the bed while to prince cowers at a low level on the floor to evoke the danger of the looming, menacing swans and warn of the tragedy to follow

Question 2

How does Mathew Bourne use Gesture in Swan Lake?

Answer 2

• the shaping of the arms to emulate the head and neck of a swan; arm positions emulate the wings of a swan animal-like quality to the gestural movement

Question 3

How does Mathew Bourne use Focus in Swan Lake?

Answer 3

in the ball scene the lead males’, the prince and the swan, gaze are drawn to one another as they dance this adds dramatic tension

Question 4

How does Mathew Bourne use Shape in Swan Lake?

Answer 4

classical ballet traditionally uses curiving lines which are lyrical and romantic and have an ongoing flow and grace

Question 5

How does Mathew Bourne use Formation to convey Relationships between the dancers?

Answer 5

act 2

• scaterred groupings of quartets and trios in compact geometric shapes fusing contrasting formations to add visual interest such as formal lines typical of classical ballet in conjunction with modern triangle formations (bourne’s diverse stylistic influences)
• close mass within one another’s personal space resembles a flock of birds enhance characterisation
• diamond formations with transitions between front row and back row require dancers be sensistive to one another in time and space
• scattered groupings disperse and reform following complex patterns to evoke a sense of animalistic wildness and the Prince’s confusion as he is enraptured within a dreamy realm of unreality

Question 6

What is the Relationships between the dancers in Time in Swan Lake?

Answer 6

• complimentary canon is used as the swans first flood the stage with separate but corresponding motifs. this develops a distinctive movement vocabulary characteristic of the swans to convey to the audience they all move similarly because they are all birds of a flock
• in the close mass there is total unison where the group move as one body to appear more intimidating and imposing
• in the close mass there is simple canon where the lead dancer performs a motif which the flock of chorus dancers follow a few counts behind. this distinguishes the lead swan as a leading role