Good Mornin'

Question 1

Bit about the number

Answer 1

1. nearly every number portrays happiness but non accompanies the emotion with as much joy, synchronisation and plain mesmerizing as GM
2. Kelly, O’Connor and Reynolds performance seems effortless as they bring us on a journey throughout dons house. Their joy and celebration is felt during every second in the number
3. their performances are both comic and engaging. they are always aware of the camera and we always aware of they performance to us as the audience.

Question 2

What actions are used?

Answer 2

1. tap vocabulary: shuffles, hops, maxiford, shim sham, close work. Huge inspiration from Bill Bojangles
2. Pedestrian movements: walking, gestures, sitting on knees, communication with eachother through movement, holding hands
3. use of props: standing on stool. using rain Macs as props on the stairs; hula skirts, matador, swing dance (coat as partner). Bar as barre. Drumming on it. Sofas, tipping
4. references to lots of different dance genres (ball on the bar - glisses, Hawaiian dancing - hip isolations, Lindy/swing - partner footwork, uses Mac as a partner, Spanish matador, CanCan)

Question 3

How is space used?

Answer 3

1. most exanpsive use of space due to the illusion that they are moving through the house
2. multiple changes of direction
3. variety of different sized actions, e.g., large travelling sections - close work
4. using the whole house - starts in the kitchen and ends in the living room. Kathy is always in the middle (apart from on the stairs with coat where she’s at front)
5. they are mostly in a line formation
6. large use of levels, low = sat on floor after sofa tip; high = on balcony and stairs, jumping over the bar; mid level = barre, scale on stairs
7. linear pathways, side to side, forward-back

Question 4

What are the dyanamics used?

Answer 4

• strong
• powerful
• direct
• contrasting dynamics - soft, sustained
• close correlation to the music - dynamics match the quality of the instruments

Question 5

What relationships are used?

Answer 5

1. remain in a linear formation for most with Kathy in the middle
2. majority of the routine in unison, with moments of duets and solos
3. limited contact - holding hands, linking arms, sitting on knee. No lifting

Question 6

How are the dancers used?

Answer 6

1. 3 dancers - Cosmo, Don and Kathy
2. Don and Cosmo mostly perform together (with Kathy performing some slightly different movement e.g. when stood on the stool). The remainder is mostly in unison
3. multiple dance styles are explored by the dancers

Question 7

How are Kellys stylistic features shown?

Answer 7

1. incredibly athletic, strong, dynamic, constantly changing face
2. broad range of music - influence from other cultures/dance styles
3. dance reflects the character - they are expressing their joy and showing their close friendship
4. use of camera - cleverly used to show them seamlessly tracking through different rooms in the house
5. interpret the lyrics and music in the choreography
6. blending styles - the most variety of styles are used in this number

Question 8

what’s the aural setting?

Answer 8

1. music/mood is upbeat. the movements are in time to the music (direct correlation)
2. music changes to reflect the change of dance style, e.g. when performing ballet, Hawaiian, Spanish dancing or the jive
3. sound of feet tapping and hands tapping on the bar
4. vocals by Don, Cosmo and Kathy
5. Instrumental moments - full orchestra

Question 9

What is the lighting/set?

Answer 9

1. bright - positive - reflects the mood of the song (white wash)
2. artificial lighting on the walls in the background to add realism (lamps etc)
3. window in the kitchen with rain effect, adding to realism of them being in a house. This is continued moving through the final area where through the doors you can see rain
4. dancers use the set to dance on (bar, stairs, sofas, wooden bench etc)
5. dons house - very large - affluent - Hollywood facade

Question 10

What’s the costume/props?

Answer 10

1. Don and Cosmo are in smart suits - looking similar. No jackets, just waistcoat, tie, shirt, trousers and shoes. Shows they are at home by taking of jacket to relax more.
   Don - dark grey suit, blue shirt
   Cosmo - light grey suit, white shirt
2. Kathy is in a smart dress. A mixture of soft colours, Knee length, heels with bows, white neck scarf - femininity and typical of the 1920s/30s era
3. they use raincoats as props - using them to represent a matadors clock, Hawaiian skirt, partner in the Lindy/swing section
4. they wear eachother hats - Kathy wears the male hat - comedy theme