Section 11- City

Question 1

Describe how the boxes are moved into the formation of the city. Include the music and how it creates an atmosphere

Answer 1

-all the monks walk around the stage with the boxes horizontal over their backs so we just see their legs from underneath. They all move their box into its position standing them upwards vertically spread across the stage. Larbi moves his metal box into this position too. Dong Dong just wanders around the stage watching the boxes be moved into position
-creating the look and feel of a city with skyscrapers
-music is a 3-4 time signature and it’s a fast piano melody with violin, like all working together to construct the city

Question 2

What is the significant costume change seen in this section and explain its significance

Answer 2

-the monks (apart from Dong Dong) all get changed into an all black suit and trousers, with black shoes
-this visually shows how the monks have become westernised and are in the city

Question 3

Describe the movements that the monks start doing initially, and what this progresses into, with the interpretation. Give the change in aural setting too

Answer 3

-all the monks perform pedestrian movement of walking in and around the boxes. The string instruments begin and this is their cue to start jogging around the boxes, speeding up. Dong Dong gives a shout and starts off the Kung Fu acrobatic movement, which includes round offs back handsprings, flying kicks, aerials with bent legs, back layouts, flying pike jumps backwards, forwards rolls, all done travelling through the boxes towards DS on the diagonals so it is seen by the audience
-this shows the monks Kung Fu movement and Larbi’s influence of Bruce Lee, theme of east vs west as doing familiar movement (east) but in the city (west)
-music changes to a 4:4 time signature and has a strong beat to it, with the tempo increasing creating business

Question 4

What significant change occurs in the aural setting and what does it signal?

Answer 4

-there are 3 big notes on the piano before it goes silent and one of the monks shouts out, this signals the monks to stand behind their box which they quickly climb up

Question 5

Describe how the monks climb onto the box and what do they do when they arrive, give the interpretation

Answer 5

-they all put2 hands on the top of the box which they push up on to and lift one leg at a time to stand up. They all slowly look around then lift their heads upwards
-shows the perspective of being in the city for the monks, surrounded by skyscrapers and towers, as the space for buildings was to build upwards