Rambert Origins Flashcards
Where did Rambert moved to in 1914? Why and how did she support her self?
What were dancers like?
What else did she do?
She moved to London in 1914 at the outbreak of WW1 .
She supported herself by giving tuition in dance and eurhythmics in run down halls. Theses dancers we already talented (physically , dramatically and musically).
At same time she continued her own ballet studies as well as performing as a soloist.
Who did Marie Rambert marry and when?
Rambert married English playwright, Ashley Dukes in 1918.
What did Rambert do in 1920?
Rambert opened a school of dancing in Bedford Gardens, Kensington which eventually grew into Rambert School of Ballet.
When was Marie Rambert’s Dancers first performance and what was it called?
1926, a ballet called A Tragedy of Fashion by Frederick Ashton - its said the piece marked the birth of British ballet (as ballet wasn’t seen in Britain before, only in Europe)
What did they form in 1930? And what did begin to do?
They formed Ballet Club in 1930.
A group of talented artists who performed regularly at the Mercury theatre on Sundays, as well as short seasons at the West End and regional theatres.
The Mercury theatre was owned by her husband Ashley Dukes, and acted as a base for the company for many years.
What type of performances were the ballet club performing?
- triple bills
- quite short
- showed collaborations with designers and composers - which gave the opportunity for designers and composers to show their work.
- created original ballet pieces
When did they change their name to Ballet Rambert?
In 1935 their named changed to Ballet Rambert.
They now perform in Sadlers Wells and are a officially a company who are well known and loved.
They were known as Ballet Rambert until 1987.
What did Ballet Rambert do during WW2?
They became a full time touring company.
They performed valuable work in a rang of venues like factory canteens, workplace, theatres - this made its own contribution to the war effort.
What happened to the type of audience when they became Ballet Rambert?
They changed their performance activities during and immediately after the war which resulted in a new audience.
The small but knowledgeable audience of the Ballet club was replaced by a more general audience who’s taste were less adventurous.
The new audience excepted longer ballets in addition to the traditional mixed bills of new work.
What was the disadvantage of touring up to 35 weeks a year?
They had less time to create new works and there was no notable choreographer working with the company at the time.
Explain their crucial time during their touring period.
The company were so successful they were able to tour to New Zealand in 1947 to 1948.
After the tour, They became bankrupt, they lost money and dancers and set and costume were damaged
In 1949 and Art council gave £500 to Ballet Rambert so that they can start up again
How did Ballet Rambert Coe back after they lost money etc on tour?
In 1958 Norman Morrice, one of Marie Rambert’s novice choreographers created his first work, ‘Two Brothers’ for the company.
It was tentative (not planned) return to the innovative (new and original) polices which Ballet Rambert previously had.
Two brothers was modern dress, thematic, contemporary themes, while still using traditionally ballet vocabulary.
What did Marie Rambert realise in early 60s?
In 60s social dance is big, and modern practitioner were emerging particularly in America - Rambert realised if she wanted to be successful then they needed to return to the ballet club days.
When did Morrice travel to America and who did he study with?
In 1962
Encouraged by Marie Rambert to go over
Went over to see new developments in dance and to study with some of the major choreographers of the time e.g Martha Graham.
What did Morrice after his trip to America encourage Rambert to do in order for the company to survive?
- to return to the companies original ethos
- reduce company size
- create new works and preserve old works
- add graham technique and modern dance
