Swansong Flashcards
Who designed the lighting for Swansong?
David Mohr
Who designed the costume for Swansong?
Christopher Bruce
Who composed the accompaniment for Swansong?
Philip Chambon
How many dancers are in Swansong?
3
Name the characters in Swansong.
Victim
2 Guards
Name three stimuli for Swansong.
- Amnesty International
- ‘A man’ book by Oriana Fallaci
- Last dance, performance of Christopher Bruce
Name two themes of Swansong.
- Human Rights
2. Prisoner of Conscience
When was Swansong’s première?
1987
How many sections are there in Swansong and can you name them?
7
- Question and Answer
- Tea for two
- Victim’s Solo
- Slow trio
- 2nd victim’s solo
- Cane Dance
- Final victim’s solo
Name 5 movement styles used in Swansong.
Contemporary, Ballet, Tap, Vaudeville and Ballroom.
Name four ways that the idea of a swan is expressed.
- Swan crys in music.
- Elevation~ flight.
- Elbows high behind back~ broken wings.
- Arabesque with outstretched arms~ open wings.
Name four practical ways that the chair is used.
- Seat
- Support
- Weapon
- Shield
Name three symbolic ways that the chair is used.
Burden~ carrying on back.
Prison Bars~ holds chair I front of his face.
Shackles~ threads through his legs.
Who designed the set for Swansong?
Christopher Bruce
What is the set design for Swansong?
The stage is a black box set with black curtains, wings, drapes and floor. Bare stage except for a chair in the centre, it suggests a prison cell. Prison guards always enter and exits upstage right. There is also a wooden ribbed back chair in the centre which remains onstage throughout the piece.
Describe the guard’s costumes in Swansong.
The guards wear military styled uniforms, in beige colours so could reference any place or hot country. The trousers and short sleeved shirt are a beige colour. They also wear black jazz shoes.
Describe the victim’s costume.
The victim wears blue jeans and a pink t-shirt~ everyday clothing. The victim also wears black jazz shoes.
Why did Christopher Bruce use a black box set?
- To create the impression of a dark cell with nothing in it.
- To create the feeling of loneliness and isolation.
- To allow the audience to focus on the movement without any other distractions.
What are the canes in Swnasong used as?
- As a walking stick.
- As a whip. ( Cracking a whip.)
- As a baton. ( Baton twirlers in a marching band.)
- As a gun.
What is the lighting in Swansong?
Lighting provides not only mood support but also supports the narrative. There are a variety of different lighting states throughout the work, but it is the shaft or tunnel of light that shines from upstage left that is so important. The tunnel of light represents a variety of different situations;
1. A high window.
2. Freedom.
Throughout the performance there is a blue wash used upon/across the stage. This blue light gets darker as the performance progresses, day to night.
Footlights create shadows.
What is the accompaniment for Swansong?
Q&A- Begins in silence, sound does not begin until the contact motif. At this point there is a loud electronic crash, this crash happens twice at the same time as the contact motif repeats. Then becomes fast and staccato.
Tea for two- Typical tango rhythm with with sharp syncopated in 4/4, circus themes subtlety appear, and ends in silence.
1st Victim’s Solo- Slow plodding electronic notes, over sounds then overlay such as distant cries and wind chimes.
Slow Trio-
