Lady Jane Flashcards
interpretations
Main character is courting a number of females – free love/male dominance and social
standards
Courtly gestures contrast with overtly sexual and exaggerated cartoon like gestures
Movement matches development of lyrics
Aristocratic movement relevant to mood of song
Theme shows idea of male being ‘secure’ and safe in his relationship but enjoying seeing
other women
An overarching mood of irony is shown – Ends with lyric “Life is secure with Lady Jane”
but the movement content of interchanging duets demonstrates that security is unlikely.
Courtly gestures contrasting with sexual/cartoon gestures
The male dancer is facing the back whilst the female dancer faces the audience and they are stood side-by-side with their heads turned to the right to look at each other as the male dancer unfolds his right arm to offer the female dancer his hand. The female then takes his hand before both lifting their right arm above their heads and performing a balancé with their right leg and their heads tilted back. This contrasts with the licking gestures performed by the male dancer. He kneels down next to the female dancer with his left leg and slides on his knee towards the female dancer as he looks towards the audience and licks his lips and then looking at the female’s bum and continuing to lick his lips as he looks all the way up her body to her face.
interpretation LJ
After slow processing walks, all dancers take a partner. Each verse investigates a new duet for a main male
dancer which encourages the interpretation of his female partners as associated with the characters in the
song (Jane, Anne and Marie). There is a large sense of irony overarching this piece. The lyrics suggest
security, “Life is secure with Lady Jane”, yet the relationships of interchanging duets juxtapose this. The
exaggerated over-sexualised movements additionally suggest the idea of free love which was more
common within Hippie culture in the 1960s when the piece is set.
The rest of the ensemble, mainly in couples interact occasionally with the main couple.
movement example 1, lady jane
the male dancer’s body is facing the audience, but his head is turned towards the female dancer who portrays Lady Jane. his left leg is bevelled as both arms are stretched to the side and he bows his torso forward. as he does this, his left hand circles towards Lady Jane, mimicking the idea of offering his hand.
movement example 2, lady jane
the male dancer performs a temps de cuisse whilst facing the front. this means that his left leg passes to the front on the ball of his foot before performing a sissonne to the right. as he does this, his arms are held in bras bas.
movement example 3, lady jane
lady Jane is reflected as being modest. this is shows in the repeated covering of the body action where she places her right hand to her left shoulder (across the body), and crosser her left hand down to her right hip. this displays modesty because she is attempting to cover her body to avoid exposing herself to be sexualised.
movement example 4, lady jane
lady Jane is also reflected as being idolised and respected. this is shown in the final position where she is centre stage on a high level with her arms lifted above her head in a V shape, with her palms facing inwards. the remaining dancers are on a lower level at lady Jane’s hip height, leaning in towards her. this could resemble the idea of bowing to her, displaying idolisation and respect.
movement example 5, lady jane
lady one is portrayed to be of lower status and power to the male lead. this is shown through the male leads interaction with the two other female dancers. the use of contact and partner work within the duets is prominent and continuous to show the male leads sexual freedom. Manipulation of number of these additional partnerships with Lady Anne and Lady Marie shows his disloyalty. this shows Lady Janes lower status and power because it highlights his disrespect towards her and their relationship.
