John Cheswoth- As Artistic Director

Question 1

What year did John Chesworth become artistic director and who did he replace?

Answer 1

• 1974

- Norman Morrice

Question 2

What was Chesworth’s previous involvements with the company before becoming artistic director?

Answer 2

• was first a dancer, transferring his strength and physique from Rugby into becoming one of Rambert’s best ballet dancers
• he became Rambert’s associate director in 1970
• he had always been an assistant to the directors and involved in Rambert’s reform

Question 3

1. State one development that Chesworth made to Rambert, and explain how it impacted the company.

Answer 3

-Chesworth provided Rambert with a period of consolidation, where no major changes took place

=due to the dramatic change in 1966 under Morrice’s directorship, Chesworth developed the company by building on top of what they knew. This included carrying on with the collaboration projects, the teaching of Graham technique, exploring socio-political subject matter.

Question 4

2. Give one development that Chesworth made to Rambert, and explain how it impacted the company.

Answer 4

-he developed Rambert’s reputation for a diverse repertoire and technical excellence

=Chesworth changed the structure of the dance works, going from a triple mixed bill to full evening works (Cruel Garden), He also created works which reflected modern society, and experimented with new soundscapes for dances (Time base used spoken dictionary definition of time)

Question 5

3. Give another development that Chesworth made to Rambert, and explain how it impacted the company.

Answer 5

-he engaged young audiences and revived workshop seasons

=Chesworth introduced the ‘Young Friends’ scheme which aimed to improve the connections that young people had to dance. He also continued with collaborations 3 and 4 in 1967 and 1977, which helped develop young, creative choreographic and design talent, for filling Marie Rambert’s aims.

Question 6

4. State another development that Chesworth made to Rambert, and explain how it impacted the company.

Answer 6

-he worked with singers, actors and TV

=Chesworth wanted other types of performers to share the stage with the dances to increase diversity of rep and engage with a wider range of audiences. He made 7 dance works for the company and two experimental films called, ‘Imprints’ and ‘Dancers -a film’. This was revolutionary and really for filled Marie Rambert’s sim of the company becoming of ‘international status’. (Was also associate producer of BBC’s Bertram Batell’s sideshow)

Question 7

5. State one development that Chesworth made to Rambert, and explain how it impacted the company.

Answer 7

-received private sponsorships

=For his work Cruel Garden (1977) he received a commission from a cigarette company. This helped the work to develop to its full potential as they had the money to achieve this

Question 8

6. Give a development that Chesworth made to Rambert, and explain how it impacted the company.

Answer 8

-collaborated with Mime artist Lindsay Kemp and Christopher Bruce to create Cruel Garden (1977)

=this work was Rambert’s first full evening work since the reform, had an extensive set design by Ralph Koltai and explored many socio-political issues through Spanish Playwright Lorca’s life. This dramatic work was promoted by the company, helping to showcase the new diverse rep