Robert North - LTLS

Question 1

When was it performed?

Answer 1

Performed by Ballet Rambert (1981). Originally performed by the Janet Smith Dancers 1980

Question 2

Who was the music by?

Answer 2

Bill Wither’s - album of the same name

Question 3

What is it about?

Answer 3

Depicts a portrayal of a lonely person in a big city

Question 4

What’s the set design?

Answer 4

• set design of fire escapes ad high-rise buildings, street vents and rubbish
• representative of a run-down North American city.
• This gives the piece a very ‘theatrical’ mood

Question 5

What is the costume?

Answer 5

• 7 dancers
• casual, colourful costumes
• everyday style
• symbolic of urban life

Question 6

Use of drama?

Answer 6

• gesture
• eye contact
• facial expression
• pedestrian movement

Question 7

How/Why is this dedicated to Matt Mattox?

Answer 7

• references to Mattox-based jazz techniques which North would have encountered in USA
• dedicated it to Mattox for the strong impact his style had on Norths works

Question 8

Key Movement Examples?

Answer 8

1. the style of production is very theatrical as the dancers interact with the scenery - e.g. using stairs
2. in opening section pedestrian movement software walking in grid like pattern helps to show city location of the work as the streets are organised in ‘blocks’
3. section 1 - ‘Lonely town, Lonely street’, stylised ‘walking’ action is used to exaggerate pedestrian elements
4. exphasises loneliness when dancers turn they backs and all in end in aline with they backs to the female dancer
5. ‘Drama’ skills apparent in Section 2 - ‘Another Day to Run’, with humanised movement to enhance narrative - e.g. convulsing in bed, resting in chair, kicking dirty plate out of the way, grabbing jacket. Movement marries with lyrics (‘lazing in chair’ = he reclines in a chair)
6. the male dancer has a staggered, off-balance quality and loose, release dynamic indicating he is drunk/under influence of drugs
7. section 4 - ‘I don’t want you on my mind’, loose, accented, heavy walks, low centre of gravity, recognisable jazz actions with pedestrian behaviours such as patting backs/shaking hands
8. section 6 - ‘Aint no Sunshine’, movement reflects lyric with universal imagery - e.g. ‘cold’ followed by a shiver and hug around self. Very technical male solo in a contemporary jazz style