Key themes, sources of movement and starting points

Question 1

What are 5 key themes that Bruce explores through Rooster?

Answer 1

1. Childhood playground behaviour- particularly isolation and rejection
2. The 1960s- is an ironic look at the social attitudes of the time
3. Male chauvinism- battle of the sexes, power and identity
4. Music of the Rolling Stones- is celebratory and reflective
5. Courtship- sexual attitudes

Question 2

What are the 5 main sources of movement for Rooster?

Answer 2

1. 1960s social dance
2. Pedestrian gestures- preening, narcissism and adolescent anxiety
3. Animalistic movements
4. Lyrics and themes from the music
5. Courtly dance

Question 3

What are the 3 starting points of the work?

Answer 3

1. A look back at bruce’s youth and love for music- wasn’t the first work to do this as The Dream Is Over (1986) was choreographed for a TV show about John Lennon
2. Bruce was interested in exploring his teenage years and the people and music of the era
3. Initially the work was celebratory and it was through reflection on the lyrics that the witty dark humour and incisive social commentary emerged