Shadows Flashcards
Who is the choreographer of Shadows?
Christopher Bruce
What company performed Shadows?
Phoenix Dance Theatre
When did Shadows premiere?
2014
What dance style is featured in Shadows?
Neo-classical (classical & contemporary)
What is the choreographic approach of Shadows?
Collaborative - centred around family table; furniture is main part; influenced by music
What are the stimuli of Shadows?
Arvo Pärt’s ‘Fratres’ - evoked images of European history & tradition; 1000s of years of suffering; relationships between family dealing with outside force
How many dancers are in Shadows?
4
What is the structure of Shadows?
Semi-narrative; solo; duet; trio; quartet
What is the performance environment of Shadows?
End stage
What is the choreographic intent of Shadows?
Politics affecting human life; family in deprivation and poverty; what lies outside family home
What are some actions in the son’s solo in Shadows?
Running; lifting props; clenched fists; pounding floor; swinging arms; kicks with flexed feet; rolling; dropping; hiding; gazing (towards centre)
What are the dynamics in Shadows?
Son - powerful; sharp; aggressive; forceful (angry; distressed); Daughter - frantic; urgent (fearful; panic); rapid; Mother - soft; gentle; fluid (maternal; supportive); Father - controlled; calm; consistent (supportive; guides family)
What is the space like in Shadows?
Son: travelling USL-DSR (towards corner from table); floor work (low level); large pathways (frustrated); All: return to USL table (centre of family unit); travel towards DSR (danger)
What relationships are shown in Shadows?
Contact - supporting & lifting daughter; Lead & follow - following actions of father; Complementary - actions & dynamic in final quartet; unity and support; Unison - moments with father; united/family bond
What are some motifs in Shadows?
Head/body turn to DSR diagonal (all); pounding fists (son); leaning on another in alignment (all on father); tucking hair behind ear (mother)
How is the motif development shown in Shadows?
Head turn - change in dynamics; slow apprehensive to quick and sudden; Hair tucking - 1st in plank; then in higher level ballroom hold; Lean - direction (towards/away from audience); level (mid-level to sitting); instrumentation (shoulder lean to shoulder on chest lean); Pounding fists - direction (lying on front then back); level (lying on floor then sitting upright with fists to side of body)
How is the choreographic intent realized in Shadows?
Politics affecting human life - varying dynamics & choreo for each character shows how humans respond differently to situations; Family in deprivation & poverty - distressed dynamics & supportive actions for each other; What lies outside family home - characters repeatedly travel to and from DSR (exit of home); son uses props to hide from DSR
What are the choreographic devices used in Shadows?
Motif & development - shows individual characters/their emotions; Repetition - enhances key actions; Climax - son’s solo builds to climax; providing contrast; Unison & mirroring
What is the relationship between the aural setting and the choreography in Shadows?
Direct correlation - music and sections of choreo complement each other; Frantic strings + fast footwork shows fear of daughter; Soft & slow music for mother’s more gentle dynamic in solo; Double stopping of violin correlates with distressed climactic choreo of son
What is the costume like in Shadows?
1930/40s style reflects era but could be modern day; Shirts; trousers; skirts; blouses & dresses suggest gender; Faded/worn colors suggest deprivation; Oversized coats worn at the end; suggest hand-me-downs - poverty; Everyday clothing reflects everyday people; Hair tied up for clear facial expressions
What is the staging and setting in Shadows?
Black box setting - minimal set; bare walls & floor suggest poverty & low class; Table; benches; 2 stools USL - family home centered around dining table; Tables & stools thrown by son & used as barrier; helping connect with his fear; At the end; dancers put on coats & carry suitcases; showing they are about to leave home
What is the aural setting in Shadows?
Pre-recorded version of Arvo Pärt’s ‘Fratres’ for piano & violin; Eastern European feel; Minor key; dark solemn atmosphere; Music structure complements choreography; Frantic strings; softer tones for family support; Sudden changes to chord-like sounds with violin build up to climax
What is the lighting like in Shadows?
Dim lighting - families had to ration electricity during war; Focused USL at family table; subtle changes show shadow cast over them; Bright lights in son’s solo show emotional distress; Sidelights light stage during solos/duets/trios; Localized lighting creates intimate space - room within a house; Overhead lamp used at the end to symbolize leaving the family home
