R&J Flashcards
R&J: Intent
- Choreographed by Natalie Weir
- explores how love is cyclical
- “history repeats itself and in each repetition, there is something new” SHOWN THROUGH the structure
- 3 acts all inspired by the classic story of Romeo and Juliet by its themes or heartbreak or heartache and dramatic love
- act 1: set in modern day fortitude valley = contemporary values
- act 2: 1800’s = chaste values
- act 3: context of 50’s = gender roles
R&J: Act 1 - Passion
Terms to use
Set in modern day fortitude valley A ‘grungy nightspot’ Sexually charged Dynamic Explosive
R&J: Act 2 - Romance
Terms to use
Set in class-divided 1800’s Renaissance setting Secret wedding Mood - a gentle purity Tender
R&J: Act 3 - Devotion
Terms to use
Set in the 1950’s Suburban Bliss
A couple play out their daily routine
Gender roles and typical relationships
Male leaves = ‘sweet sorrow’ turns into ‘aching emptiness’
R&J: Music
Terms to use
Composed my John Babbage from Topology Live Modern Jazz vibe Evocative Adds resonance and depth to each setting
R&J: Set Design’s role
Terms to use
Role: create space and setting
Invaluable
Multi-functional boxes
‘Audience experience a sense of haunting, displacement and disorientation’
Small boxes - surround setting, manipulated by lighting
Act 1 - used to represent grungy alley wall (walks past and collapses = death
Act 2 - used as an altar (sit atop) and a coffin (lie within)
Act 3 - projected static = represents tv
R&J: Costume (J’s dress) significance
Assists audience to recognise J who is steering the ‘story’ of each act
Symbol of various things:
- colour: red = passion, love, romance
Repetition of colour reflects ‘cyclical’ intention by Natalie
- style: reflects time period/context
Act 1 - plunging = sexually charged, modern
Act 2 - 3/4, flowing = chaste, 1800’s
Act 3 - tight top = 1950’s, typical gender role
R&J choreography SECTIONS
Act 1 R and J duo
Sharp/percussive
Suspended and elevated energy
Intricate and precise
Counter balances/lifts/drops/spins = generate excitement, reinforces trust
Space - remain close and connected = sexually charged
Shifting levels
Contractions
Themes: love/lust, desire, passion, erotic, promiscuous
R&J choreography SECTIONS
Act 2 R and J duo
Stark contrast to act 1 because: Delicate, slow Fluid/soft/languid Close and intertwined Elegant Music adds to aesthetic Wrapping, folding ‘A gentle purity’ Playful and explorative
Themes: secretive, 1800’s context, young love
R&J choreographic ELEMENTS
Act 3 - time and space
Emphasises ‘history repeats itself’ though building speed of choreography and music
Perform long partner phrase, R leaves momentarily before returning
Foreshadows the coming of a ‘heartbreaking inevitability’ when R does not return
Negative and empty space for J in being lonely
R&J choreography ELEMENTS
Act 2 - body and space (R’s solo)
Transfer in and out of floor (space)
Collapsing = ‘externalisation of internal torture’ (body)
Size of movement (space) - articulates shock and heartbreak when separated from J
Moves away and to J, back and forth conveying tragedy, frustration and torture
