Moses Supposes

Question 1

Movement Example: curtain

Answer 1

Don is standing up on a chair towards stage left and wraps the left curtain around him almost looking like a toga (like a roman emperor). His left hand is holding the curtain on his left shoulder, as his right hand is in a fist position holding the curtain on his waist. At the same time, Cosmo is kneeling on his right knee as the bottom of the curtain is wrapped around his head. Cosmo is portraying a female like character showing he isn’t afraid to lose his masculinity. This is a light-hearted movement they perform, which shows they think the same, reinforcing their platonic brotherly friendship. However, it also suggests that Don is at a higher status than Cosmo, as he acts as a roman emperor who has power, compared to Cosmo who is on a lower level almost acting as a peasant.

Question 2

Movement example: jazz walk

Answer 2

Another movement example is that throughout the number, Don and Cosmo perform in unison. For example, in unison, both perform a ball change before springing onto their right leg and walk 5 steps forward, keeping the legs bent as they walk. Simultaneously, their arms are moving in opposite directions to her legs, whilst their hands are shaking (like jazz hands). The use of unison suggests that they think the same from knowing each other since childhood, therefore, showing their brotherly love for each other. It also reinforces one of Kelly’s stylistic features of blending of techniques.

Question 3

What actions are use?

Answer 3

1. Suzy Q
2. physically twisting direct coach around - like a lounge twister
3. shuffle ball change
4. extra steps performed to give a varied rhythm - shows difficulty of tongue twisters
5. maxi fords
6. drop shuffles

Question 4

How is the space used?

Answer 4

1. levels - standing on the desk, chairs, in the curtains. No floor work but they do sit on chairs at one point
2. vast use of space used, travelling round the room
3. mostly using large size of movement, with small moments to add contrast paired with dynamics to match
4. linear pathways travelling forward/backwards, side/side - adds complexity like tongue twisters

Question 5

What is the dynamic content?

Answer 5

• rapid
• strong/sharp
• moments of dynamic contrast: sustained, soft

Question 6

What’s the relationship content?

Answer 6

1. unison used mostly to suggest Don and Cosmo are performing the same tongue twister. Makes beats clearer to insinuate tongue twister is being performed well
2. moments of solo - taking in turns to speak
3. no contact
4. interaction with the diction coach to ensure he is watching the ‘pronounciation’

Question 7

What’s the use of dancers?

Answer 7

• don and cosmo
• comical - in character, showing their brotherly relationship and echoing their performance from the past (Fit as a Fiddle)
• Jazz/tap/narrative

Question 8

What the aural setting?

Answer 8

1. music starts slow then builds up. This is to mimic practicing diction, then speeds up for the dance to show their confidence growing in the tongue twister
2. use beating their hands on the desk to create some of the beats of the music. they also use their body to create beats such as clapping and slapping
3. tapping of feet on the chairs and on the desk to create sounds - during the musical interlude as in previous sections
4. vocals at the start, then the taps, become the vocals
5. brass instruments (trumpets, trombone), strings, drums, cymbals
6. Movements/tap rhythms are heavily influenced by the tempo, dynamics and rhythms of the instruments

Question 9

What is the lighting/set?

Answer 9

1. naturalistic lighting (white wash) - in an office. Everyday working situation behind the Hollywood facade
2. in the diction coach’s office (curtains, desk, chairs, books, pictures on the wall). Beige, brown, dark colours. Opposite of what you expect Hollywood to be
3. chairs - used for dancing on
4. desk - used for dancing on
5. elements of set piled on the diction coach at the end (lampshade, picture showing ‘vowel A’, chair, books, etc)

Question 10

Use of costume/props?

Answer 10

1. use curtains as ‘togas’
2. take some of the furnishings and pile them on top of the diction coach. they use the picture of the mouth with the sound ‘a’ on it - this is sung about in the last line of the song
3. cosmo and don are in everyday working clothes. they match, apart from colour. comedy duo
4. the diction coach is in a suit - shows him being professional

Question 11

how are Kellys stylistic features shown?

Answer 11

1. energetic movements, strong, masculine and dynamic
2. interpret the Lyrica in his choreography. This relates to the way he has used the music in this number. His feet tell the story
3. dance reflects character - strong links back to Don and Cosmos humble beginnings, shows their relationship, and also progresses narrative of Dons diction improving for the ‘talkies’
4. down to earth, having fun with his friends. Relatable character