Section C: Shadows Flashcards
Who is the choreographer of Shadows
Christopher Bruce
How many dancers are there in Shadows
4 (2 male/ 2 female)
What is the performance environment of Shadows
End stage
What is the structural design of Shadows
Semi- Narrative
What is the dance style of Shadows
Neo- classical (classical and contemporary)
What are the choreo approaches in Shadows
Furniture is used within the choreography, working with dancers, using the structure of the music to dictate each family members story
What are the stimuli of Shadows
Fratres of violin and piano by Avro Part, The relationship between family members as they deal with the fear of an outside force
What are the choreographic intentions of Shadows
Deprivation, Poverty, Fear of what lies outside the family home
Three main components of the costume design
Faded colours, Oversized coats, Gender specific
What is the mother’s costume
A white and pink floral 1940s tea dress with shirt puffed sleeves and calf length. Made of cotton and normal fit
What is the father’s costume
A collarless striped white shirt with a brown waistcoat and grey trousers. Made of cotton and normal fit
What is the daughter’s costume
A pastel blue/white blouse with short puffed sleeves and a grey pleated, below the knee a-line skirt. Made of cotton and normal fit
What is the son’s costume
A white collarless shirt untucked and rolled up sleeves and grey trousers. Made of cotton and normal fit
What do the faded colours show
They show that the clothes are worn out due to overwear and lack of washing linking to the idea of deprivation and poverty as they can’t afford new, clean clothes
What do the oversized coats show
The dark oversized coats put on at the end of the dance show deprivation as they are probably hand me downs meaning they are too big for the family
What does the gender specific clothing show
It shows their role within the family as they dad has a waistcoat and the mother has a formal dress showing maturity while the children’s are simpler and less put together
Three main components of the set design
A table with a bench and 2 stools, Black box stage, The table and stools are used by the son
What does the table with a bench and 2 stools show
They create a family communal table which they all return to sit at showing their relationship as a family
What does the black box stage show
Creates a small and intimate feeling creating more safety of the inside but fear of the outside. It is also quite bleak and d depressing, heightening the fear
What does the tables and stools being used by the son show
Thrown around and used as a barrier to enhance the narrative that something outside beyond the door is scary and fearful which the family want to protect each other from, especially the son who is trying to appear strong
What do the tables creating levels show
When the daughter stands up on the table it creates a high level showing she is fearful and searching for the danger highlighting her vulnerability as a small child
Three main components of the lighting design
Diagonal shaft of light, Dimmed and shadowy lighting, sidelights
What does the diagonal shaft of light show
Creates this idea of something coming from the direction of a door as if it is ajar maybe or like a corridor. This reinforces the narrative and suggest the fear of an outside force
What does the dimmed and shadowy lighting show
It creates a bleak and depressing atmosphere as they are trying to not attract attention to their house and are instead living in the shadows. Also could suggest poverty as they cannot replace the lightbulbs
What do the sidelights show
Creates this space of a room which is intimate and enclosed to show they are hiding from something but also their close family relationship as they are in such a small space together.
Three main components of the aural setting
Minor key, frantic strings, gentle piano
What does the minor key show
Creates different atmospheres throughout the piece like a fear and panic in the daughters solo and anger in the sons solo showing their relationship in the family and the constant fear of the outside
What do the frantic strings show
Used in the daughters solo to create a heightened fear and panic emotion if this young girl as she is scared of the outside force. She is naive and anxious as shown in the music
What does the gentle piano show
Shows a sense of support and trying to be calm for each other. There is a tender relationship between the family members as they deal with the outside force
Name a relationship used
Formation, they all stand in a straight line at the end and slowly walk forward as if they are stepping outside as one unit
Name an action used
The girl performs a jumping run action in her solo demonstrating she is uncertain and fearful and just wants to run away from her problems. The movement is unnatural showing her discomfort as she fears the outside force
Name a dynamic used
The slow and sustained dynamics of the mother and fathers duet showing a support and love highlighting their intimate relationship as a couple
Name a spatial design used
Pathways in the sons solo where he constantly goes back to this diagonal pathway facing what we assume is the door. He runs and back with the furniture as a barrier enhancing his fear
Four main choreo devices used
Climax, Manipulation of number, Canon, Repetition (/unison)
When is climax used and why
The sons solo is the climax of the dance with an anger being created as he punches the floor and uses the table as a barrier to protect his family from the outside force
When is manipulation of number used and why
There is a duet with the mother and father showing the relationship with family members especially the loving parents as they are the core of the family
When is canon used and why
There is a very slow canon as the dancers put on their oversized coats (the children with help from their mother). This delays the timing and slows it down so we can see each of their final emotions before they leave to go outside
When is repetition/ unison used and why
Repetition is used as the family keep on glancing back at the door in unison to reaffirm the idea that they are fearing something outside as a whole family
Four main components of the use of number and gender
2 male and 2 female, The gender roles in the family, The different number of dancers in each section, Small group of dancers
How is 2 male and 2 female dancers shown
They represent a mother, father, son and daughter which is the typical family unit allowing us to see all of the members emotions and relationships with each as they deal with the outside force
How is the gender roles of the family shown
The mother and father are much less stressed showing theirs maturity and composure whereas the son is angry and tries to protect his family and the daughter is extremely fearful
How is the different number of dancers in each section shown
It allows us to see all kinds of family relationships and dynamics as the dance progresses on top of the outside force
How is the small group of dancers shown
The small group of 4 is a common family size and also allows us to be able to learn each of their feelings and characters to connect better
Three choreo approaches used
Furniture used within the choreography, working with dancers, using the structure of the music to dictate each family members story
How is furniture used within the choreography used
During the sons solo when he places items of furniture infront of the door again and again. This shows his fear of the outside as he is using it is a barrier to protect them all
How is the furniture used within the choreography used x2
The table, stools and bench the family sit at the beginning shows an immediate family unit around the dinner table. Bruce knew it would become an intrinsic part of the choreography rather than staying static the whole dance
How is working with dancers used
Bruce waits to work with dancers instead of choreographing, so he can be influenced by them. He wanted the movement to sit well on the dancers to reflect their characters and relationships
How is using the structure of the music to dictate each of the family members story used
Music changes each section from frantic strings to low piano notes. This helps tell the audience there is a change of structure and something is about to change. The changes influenced each movement allowing each family member to have a story
Four main components of the structural design
Semi narrative structure, logical sequence, transitions, unity
How is a semi narrative structure shown
The storyline is told through mix of solos, duets, trios and quartets which help tell the storyline of their different emotions throughout and how they’re all fearful in different ways. This helps the narrative to become easier to follow
How is a logical sequence shown
The dance starts with the family sat together and ends with coats on like they’re leaving. Audience can see time has passed and they’re finally facing their fears at theme as they are about to leave
How are transitions shown
Throughout the dancers transition to and from the table, they constantly return to it highlights the family unit and relationships with each other . It is a traditional family thing to have a specific seat at the family table
How is unity shown
When the dancers continuously sit back at the table bringing wholeness to the routine and unifying the story. Gives the dancers a sense of belonging as they always return to their family
