Robert North + LTLS Flashcards
when and where is North born?
1945 in South Carolina
who is North?
• American Choreographer
• Educated in England
• North comes from an artistic background- father was sculptor
• created many work such as London Contemporary Dance Theatre and Ballet Rambert
what is North’s art?
• 4 yrs old taken to Europe by his father- museums
• worked with his father- learnt art at young age
• his father was an architect- North wanted to follow in his fathers career or a theatre designed
• studied at the London Central School of Art
what is North’s dance?
• went to ballet he then took dance classes to learn more about it for this theatre design
• then he decided to change full time to dance
• he previously played a lot of sports at school but missed being physical and exerting that sort of energy
• this is when he actually started taking dance classes
where did he study full time?
Central School of Art- taking dance classes in his spare time in 1963
where did take a course?
Royal Ballet School for 2 years in 1965
where did he start taking part time classes?
At the newly opened London School of Contemporary Dance in 1966
where did North become a member?
• London contemporary dance group in 1967 during their first tour
• In the Martha Grantham Company in 1968, he danced with in America
what are the 4 principles of Graham?
1) flexion
2) spiral
3) contraction
4) release
who did he return to England with?
Robert Cohan in 1969
• to become a permanent member of the London Contemporary Dance Theatre
• dancing and choreographing with them until 1981
what was North’s first work?
Troy Game in 1974
• created for an all male cast
• Troy Game is a celebration of the male dancer
what was North appointed for?
Associate Choreographer for LCDT in 1975
what did he choreograph and dance lead roles in?
• Played the role ‘Death’ in Death and the Maiden (1980)
• Played the lead role in ‘Lonely Town, Lonely Street’ (1981)
who did North become artistic director for?
Ballet Rambert
• a position he held until early 1986
what work did North remount?
Lonely Town, Lonely Street for Rambert Ballet (1981)
• originally created and performed by the Janet Smith Group in 1980
what other work did North remount?
Death and the Maiden for Rambert Ballet (1984)
• originally created and performed by London Contemporary Dance theatre in 1980
what has North done from 1986+?
• has worked all over the world as free lance choreographer and continues to make works but residing in Germany
what were the 3 influences?
• Martha Graham
• Architecture
• Art
what is the Graham Technique?
• created by the Martha Graham
• American dancer and choreographer
• 4 principles
how was architecture an influence?
• inspired by North’s father who was an architect
• North was fascinated with how things were put together, how things were constructed in space and shape
• he even choreographs entrances and exits
how was art an influence?
• studied and had an interest in Art, also collaborated with artists
• influenced by art after being appointed Artistic Director for Ballet Rambert
• North created works based around the paintings of Picasso and collaborated with fine artists (such as Bridget Riley)
what is North Stylistic Features?
• strong musicality and rhythmic awareness
• very dramatic eg gesture, actions, dynamics, eye, face
• highly emotive movement
• attention to detail
• ballet, jazz, principles of Graham
• choreographed entrances and exits
• craft: structure of the piece
• exploration of partnerships
• eclectic choice of music
• direct correlation
what is the most important part of North’s piece?
Choreography
what was parts of the choreography?
• narrative
- pieces often have a narrative or episodic structure to appear to audiences
• music first
- north choreographs to the music
• direct correlation
- the movement and music work together
• craft
- north believes in the creative process
• showcasing material
- north demonstrates all movements to the dancers in order to teach what he wants
who is the choreographer for Lonely Town Lonely Street?
Robert North
what is the original premiere?
1980 (Janet Smith Group)
what is the ballet Rambert premiere?
16th October 1981
who composed the music for LTLS?
Bill Withers
who is the set and costume designer?
Andrew Storer
what is the lighting for LTLS?
John B Reed
who directed and produced LTLS?
Thomas Grimm
what is the style for LTLS?
Jazz Ballet
how many sections for LTLS?
Seven
how many dancers?
8
what is the subject matter?
Loneliness
• this depicts the portrayal of a lonely person in the big city
what is the form of the dance?
Episodic
• this structure assists the development of each section’s ’storyline’
• enhances the reasons behind each character’s feelings of loneliness making them more apparent to the audience
what is each section?
• Named after the song title
• Each section is identifiable by the musicals number and the change in dancers
what is each section called?
• lonely town, lonely street (new girl)
• another day to run (drug man)
• let me in your life (one sided relationship)
• I don’t want you on my mind (men carrying their troubles)
• who is he and what is he to you (cheating)
• ain’t no sunshine (solo of man women left him)
• you (going crazy in own mind)
what is the constituent features?
• accompaniment
• costume
• dancers
• lighting
• movement
• set design & props
what is the accompaniment?
• by American singer Bill Withers
• 7 music numbers
• NO climax
• each song gradually fade out as the section ends
what is the costume?
• by Andrew Storer
• Casual and colourful attire developing the urban city idea
• own individuality (each is different)
• enhance gender and sexuality
• tight fitted costume enhances the line of the body and muscular physical of the dancers
• everyday- ware
• 80s time and fashion
what is the dancers?
• 8 dancers (4 female/4 male)
• cast as young people living an urban city life
• all dancers as play technical and physical bodily skill eg slender, toned, muscular frames
what is the set?
• by Andrew Storer
• the set depicts night time in a run down neighbourhood in a North American city
• the set design incorporates:
- shops
- firescapes
- high buildings
- garbage can decor
what is the lighting?
• by John B Reed
• the lighting used is not overly dramatic however the choices made assist the intentions of the Norths choreographer
• lighting used to give a realistic effect of night time within the neighbourhood
• windows with lights that turn off and on in the buildings are also used to enhance the idea of a lived in town
• the choice of colour and the use of darkness and shadows also assist the setting and mood of the dance piece
• there are shop lights and neon signs that are noticeable throughout. These are orange, blue, and yellow, relating to the dramatic use of colour in costume and modern to that area
what is the set design?
• made for camera
• not a proscenium stage
• the stage is set
• represents a city centre
• black dance/theatre flooring
• the set is used throughout
