Swansong

Question 1

Who designed the lighting for Swansong?

Answer 1

David Mohr

Question 2

Who designed the costume for Swansong?

Answer 2

Christopher Bruce

Question 3

Who composed the accompaniment for Swansong?

Answer 3

Philip Chambon

Question 4

How many dancers are in Swansong?

Answer 4

3

Question 5

Name the characters in Swansong.

Answer 5

Victim

2 Guards

Question 6

Name three stimuli for Swansong.

Answer 6

1. Amnesty International
2. ‘A man’ book by Oriana Fallaci
3. Last dance, performance of Christopher Bruce

Question 7

Name two themes of Swansong.

Answer 7

1. Human Rights

2. Prisoner of Conscience

Question 8

When was Swansong’s première?

Answer 8

1987

Question 9

How many sections are there in Swansong and can you name them?

Answer 9

7

1. Question and Answer
2. Tea for two
3. Victim’s Solo
4. Slow trio
5. 2nd victim’s solo
6. Cane Dance
7. Final victim’s solo

Question 10

Name 5 movement styles used in Swansong.

Answer 10

Contemporary, Ballet, Tap, Vaudeville and Ballroom.

Question 11

Name four ways that the idea of a swan is expressed.

Answer 11

1. Swan crys in music.
2. Elevation~ flight.
3. Elbows high behind back~ broken wings.
4. Arabesque with outstretched arms~ open wings.

Question 12

Name four practical ways that the chair is used.

Answer 12

1. Seat
2. Support
3. Weapon
4. Shield

Question 13

Name three symbolic ways that the chair is used.

Answer 13

Burden~ carrying on back.
Prison Bars~ holds chair I front of his face.
Shackles~ threads through his legs.

Question 14

Who designed the set for Swansong?

Answer 14

Christopher Bruce

Question 15

What is the set design for Swansong?

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

Describe the guard’s costumes in Swansong.

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

Describe the victim’s costume.

Answer 17

The victim wears blue jeans and a pink t-shirt~ everyday clothing. The victim also wears black jazz shoes.

Question 18

Why did Christopher Bruce use a black box set?

Answer 18

1. To create the impression of a dark cell with nothing in it.
2. To create the feeling of loneliness and isolation.
3. To allow the audience to focus on the movement without any other distractions.

Question 19

What are the canes in Swnasong used as?

Answer 19

1. As a walking stick.
2. As a whip. ( Cracking a whip.)
3. As a baton. ( Baton twirlers in a marching band.)
4. As a gun.

Question 20

What is the lighting in Swansong?

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

What is the accompaniment for Swansong?

Answer 21

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-