Robert North

Question 1

When was Robert North AD?

Answer 1

1981-1986

Question 2

What did he do as AD/

Answer 2

he brought over choreagraphers to create works for the company (e.g. Cunningham), who had a strong impact in developing modern dance in America

Question 3

What was popular in the 60s+70s?

Answer 3

dunng 60’s + 70s experimental dance was popular with choreographers, but was not popular with audiences
- North developed the Bnitish audiences perception of ‘New Dance’

Question 4

What was North interested in developing?

Answer 4

Interested in developing home grown talent and focused the companies repertoire on his own.
Alstons and Bruces choreography created a wide range of choreographers giving a diverse selection

Question 5

What was his contribution of developing modern?

Answer 5

1. created strong links with LCDT and enabled cross-fertilisation of artists and choreographers being shared among the 2 companies who were both striving to progress modern dance
2. continued tradition of art + music being profound influence of companies style
3. continued the original policies
   - creating works from home talet
   - embedded Graham tech into rep + training
   - created new modern dance which secured new audience for company
4. his works were accessible

Question 6

What was his movement style?

Answer 6

• experience in styles of jazz, flamenco, ballet
• influenced by Matt Mattos (dedicated LTLS to)
• musicality and rhythmic awareness
• influenced by Graham (spiral, contraction, flexion, release)
• combination of ballet, contemporary and jazz
• influenced by cunningham
• direct correlation with music
• musicality and musical visualisation

Question 7

Choreographic style?

Answer 7

• strong sense of musicality, choice of music is eclectic both modern and classical
• movement material that reflects the structure of musical accompaniment –> music + dance inextricably linked, however should maintain their independence and enrich each other
• North reflects dance is about dancing and the detail of choreographic process; how dancers enter and exist, use of partnership and formations + structure
• dramatic with a desire to move audience emotionallu
• production elements such as set, lighting and costume are important features