Section 2. Lady Jane Flashcards
What is the aural setting?
- By Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
- Baroque rock style
- Lady Jane
Who are the dancers in this section?
The whole ensemble- 5 men and 5 women
What is the physical setting?
- Set: A bare stage with black floor and background
- Lighting: dim lighting upstage, pool of light in downstage centre, use of side lighting
- Males costume: in black trousers, coloured shirts, coloured velvet jackets, coordinated ties, black jazz shoes
- Females costume: All in identical black sleeveless chic dress, with red box pleat inserts, sheer black tights and black jazz shoes
- Describe a movement derived from the Baroque/minuet era in this section
Movement: Protagonist male and Lady Jane meet centre stage, with their focus fixed on one another. They take a shoulder to shoulder stance and the male offers his hand towards the female with an upturned palm, and she gracefully takes it. Holding hands, they then rock in towards each other, lifting their hands high, then back out away from each other
- Describe a movement derived from the Baroque/minuet era in this section
Movement: Male is stood on a bent supporting leg, with his other foot on Demi pointe, he lowers his centre of gravity and hinges forwards from the hip, lowering his body towards Lady Jane, whilst doing an elaborative circling of the wrist with his gesture arm
- Describe where a key formation is used in this section
Give the interpretation
Movement: a horseshoe formation is created, with Lady Anne and the protagonist male positioned downstage centre. Lady Anne lies down in a flat position hinged from the knees, over the males legs who is in a second plie. He runs his hands down her body and legs. She is circled out of this position then falls back rocking onto her back lifting her arms and legs in the air. As she stands back up, Lady Jane, facing upstage, looks over her shoulder to the protagonist male but as she does so the alpha male slaps her hip an pulls her back in line to face him
Interpretation: Shows male pack and solidarity as not letting protagonist male be caught out by Lady Jane, shows inappropriate touching of a females body in the 60s, and shows male chauvinism as discards Lady Anne to the floor, and can’t see females faces, making them appear anonymous
- Describe another key formation that is used in this section
Give the interpretation
Movement: All 10 dancers are stood in a circle upstage centre, with the females facing inwards, and the males facing outwards. They all have their arms raised so they’re touching palms, with the wrists flexed upwards. Females lift gesture leg Inverted at the knee then rotate the knee outwards to close the foot in front in fifth. 1 by 1, each female turns underneath her male partners arms, ending in a lunge, then lift up through an off balance retire throwing their arms up into a parallel position above their head.
Interpretation: Reference to courtly dance. weighted transference of weight could show females almost giving up of males manipulating them and treating them of a lower status.
- Describe a moment of contact that shows courtship in this section.
Give the interpretation
Movement: Male comes behind lady Jane and takes both her hands with her arms in 4th position. She circles her leg around in an attitude and he turns her around. She then assumes an attitude position holding onto one of the male’s arms, and then they perform a promenade together
Interpretation: The movements have a regal nature to them, and are very delicate and respectful. His assistance for these classical partnering movements could show Lady Jane’s trust in the male now, and her enjoyment in spending time with him.
- Describe the transition into section 3.
The section ends with Lady Jane stood in the middle of the circle, with her arms in a high v. The other females are crowded around her, In various levels and in different hinged positions. The males are around the outside of the circle and perform their elaborate arm circling as they hinge forwards in a bow. Lady Jane does one strong clap, then 2 fast claps as the music for the next section begins. They all walk off stage clapping their hands to the rhythm 1, 2 and 4 as the lead male and female take their places centre stage.
- Describe a moment of contact where the theme courtship is portrayed.
Give the interpretation
Movement: Male and lady Jane run in towards each other and repeat rocking movement towards eachother then away from each other in a courtly manner. He then lifts her holding underneath her arms, and assists her in a grande jets towards upstage
Interpretation: the lift appears effortless, graceful and serene. He is lifting her up onto a higher level above himself showing his adoration and he’s worshipping her
- What are some of the lyrics in this section?
- “My sweet lady Jane, when I see you again”
- “Your servant am I, and will humbly remain”
- “Just hear this plea my love”
- “I pledged myself to Lady Jane”
- “My dear Lady Anne”
- “I pledged my troth to Lady Jane”
- “Oh my sweet Marie, I wait at your knees”
- Describe Lady Jane’s salient position and what this suggests about her
Movement: One arm is crossed over her onto the opposite hip, and the other arm is crossed resting on the opposite shoulder. One knee is slightly crossed over the other leg, turned in.
Interpretation: This is her salient position which she repeats several times during this section. It demonstrates her poise, grace and reminds us that she’s a lady of a higher status. It is quite an enclosed position showing she is not giving herself away to anyone.
- Describe a movement example which shows the protagonist male as submissive and objectifying Lady Jane
Give the interpretation
Movement: male crosses behind her and kneels down onto one knee, with his hand on one hip, and his pelvis is thrust forwards. He drags himself forwards on his knee, and licks his lips in a sinister way, fixated on the females body
Interpretation: The male is only looking at Lady Jane in a sexual manner, with one intention.
- Describe a movement which shows Bruce’s blend of ballet and contemporary gestures
Give the interpretation
Movement: The male does a series of pas de chats using balletic movement vocal away from Lady Jane, then back in towards her, moving around US. Her arm is out to the side, and male bends to go kiss her hand, but she sharply pulls it away and steps to SL, assuming her salient position.
Interpretation: can see the balletic movements with pedestrian gestures. She returns to her salient position to show she is a lady and not giving herself to him.
- Describe a movement of contact the male performs with Lady Anne
Give the interpretation
Movement: Lady Anne lies down in a flat hinged position, from the knees, across the males legs who is in a deep second plie. He takes his hand and runs it down her body and legs, then circles her out of the position and she slips through his arms falling backwards rocking onto her back throwing her arms and legs up
Interpretation: Shows male as sinister, showing he is untrue and sexual intentions. Once he is done with her body she is discarded to the floor, showing his male chauvinism
