Swansong

Question 1

Who choreographed Swansong?

Answer 1

Christopher Bruce

Question 2

In what year was the premiere of Swansong?

Answer 2

1986

Question 3

Who composed the accompaniment for Swansong?

Answer 3

Philip Chambon

Question 4

Who designed the lighting for Swansong?

Answer 4

David Mohr

Question 5

Who designed the costume for Swansong?

Answer 5

Christopher Bruce

Question 6

Who designed the set for Swansong?

Answer 6

Christopher Bruce

Question 7

What type of staging is used in Swansong?

Answer 7

Proscenium

Question 8

How many dancers are in Swansong?

Answer 8

Three men (also performed by three woman, and a mixed cast)

Question 9

What dance styles can you see in Swansong?

Answer 9

Contemporary, physical contact, balletic movements, reference to social and political dance

Question 10

What is the structure of Swansong?

Answer 10

EPISODIC; introduction followed by seven sections. The victim remains on stage throughout and performs a solo in section three which has motifs that are repeated and/or developed in sections five and seven.

Question 11

What is the theme of Swansong?

Answer 11

Human rights; prisoner of conscience

Question 12

Name the 4 props used in Swansong

Answer 12

Canes, cigarettes, comedy red nose, chair

Question 13

Why is the chair in Swansong a significant prop?

Answer 13

it acts as a safe place for the prisoner

it us

Question 14

Describe the mood/atmosphere of the set

Answer 14

eerie, dark, intimidating

Question 15

Describe the costumes of the guards

Answer 15

khaki, military like, formal, trousers, shirt, smart, smart shoes, belt, of a higher status than the prisoner

Question 16

Describe the costumes of the prisoner

Answer 16

faded red short sleeved t-shirt, worn blue denim jeans, black soft shoes, distressed looking, everyday persons clothing, dishevelled hair

Question 17

Why can we hear the steps of the dancers?

Answer 17

there are floor speakers amplifying the sounds the dancers make

Question 18

When the dancers are tapping out rhythms to each other what is this trying to suggest?

Answer 18

That they are having a conversation. As the steps become quicker the sound of the steps increase suggesting that the conversation is becoming intense.

Question 19

In which sections does the prisoner perform a solo?

Answer 19

2,5 and 7

Question 20

How is the prisoners solo developed throughout the piece?

Answer 20

it is performed in silence, the ‘bird wing’ motif is developed on the floor and there is a change in speed due to the dramatic music in the final section.

Question 21

Describe the accompaniment of Swansong

Answer 21

an electric score of digitally manipulated sound, there a sound effects of birds and the natural world and a high pitched scream/shouting.

Question 22

What does the set design, accompaniment and costume all have in common?

Answer 22

They are simplistic allowing for focus to be on the choreography. Another reason being that the simplistic and MINIMAL effect connotes a prison cell and the lack of human rights the prisoner has.

Question 23

What was the stimulus/starting point of Swansong?

Answer 23

Christopher Bruce saying goodbye to his career as a dancer and the work of Amnesty International.

Question 24

Is the cast of swansong small, medium or large?

Answer 24

small

Question 25

Name 3 dance styles seen in Swansong

Answer 25

Contemporary , Ballet and Tap

Question 26

Name 2 features of the dance style - Contemporary

Answer 26

Use of the floor (floor work), contraction and release, expressive dynamics…

Question 27

Name 2 features of the dance style - Ballet

Answer 27

plié, positions of the feet and arms, graceful dynamics, balances such as arabesques and attitudes, upright posture and alignment….

Question 28

True or False - The prisoner stays on stage throughout the whole performance

Answer 28

TRUE!

Question 29

Describe the lighting in Swansong

Answer 29

a shaft or tunnel of lighting coming from USL, A wash of light, eerie, shadows, footlight….

Question 30

TRUE or FALSE - There is a spotlight in swansong

Answer 30

FALSE! FALSE! FALSE! There is NO spotlight!! don’t write it!!

Question 31

How does the lighting contribute to the action content

Answer 31

highlights the pathway of the prisoner when he is travelling in a diagonal line about to escape. The wash of light allows for all 3 performers to be seen throughout the unison section. The footlights allow intricate for intricate foot work and floor work to be seen.