Swansong Flashcards
What is the structure of Swansong
Rondo structure
ABACADAE
What is the benefit of having this structure in swansong
Shows the development of the interrogation and the victim getting more and more weak
Shows the two men becoming more ruthless and cruel. Shows their relentlessness
What devices were seen in swansong
Repetition
Call and response
Groupings
Contact
What was effective about the call and response in swansong
Used in place of words in the interrogation
The complexity, speed and volume told what was going on in the conversation (how angry/ intense they were getting)
Let’s audience know what is going on in the piece
What was effective about the contact in swansong
They two uniformed men control and influence the other mans movements showing their control over him
Manipulate his movement like they manipulate him during the interrogation to try and get information
He tires to get away which shows his strength but this becomes more infrequent throughout the dance which shows him becoming more weak and broken down
What is the theme of swansong
human rights
Costume for swansong- Uniformed men
Dull and non specific uniform shows they are part of something but their role is open to interpretation
De-individuation
Wearing the same thing shows ganging up
Think they can treat him the way they do due to their role and stature
Costume for swansong- Victim
Faded t shirt and jeans shows broken spirit and weariness
Ordinary clothes associates with role
Sets him apart from the others, shows their authority
What props are in swansong
red nose
cigarettes
cane
chair
How was the red nose used in swansong
Used to mock, humiliate and degrade him. Embarrassment may make him more inclined to give information
Emotional torture shows cruelty
How was cane used in swansong
Mocking him but in a more cruel way than red nose
Dance in a comic way which makes them more sinister as it shows they find it funny and enjoy the torture
Also used as a weapon eg gun or something to beat him with
How is the chair used in swansong
Weapon, window, bars of cell, shield, safe place, shackles
Begins as a scary thing because he is interrogated and forced to sit in chair
Then is a safe haven because it is familiar and comforting
Then the men use the safe place against him as a weapon. shows cruelty
Used as bars of cell and shackles to show trapped
How was the lighting during the solo in swansong effective?
Strong, bright channel of light
Only danced in this channel- signifies freedom and being released. Could be natural light from a window.
The light offers hope. Makes his movement when with men look more heavy and restricted because he looks so passionate and free when alone in the light
walking towards it at end signifies his death
How is the lighting effective in swansong when all 3 men are on stage?
Stage dimly lit with all black at back of stage
Makes mysterious and eery because we don’t know what is at the back. More people being tortured? More people watching?
What was the sound like during the interrogations in swansong
Loud, industrial, clanging sounds to suggest a noisy place eg prison
Some silence to highlight natural sounds (taps, breathing, banging of props) makes more tense, heavy and awkward atmosphere
Sometimes playful music during humiliation which makes more horrific as it is fun when it shouldn’t be.
What was the sound like during the solo in swansong
Slow, calm, relaxing sounds to show the calm before/ after the storm. Complete contrast from interrogations. Slight sound of screams/ shrieks- could be other prisoners or maybe birds to show freedom?
Silence to make more intense. Natural sounds louder and more impactful. Shows isolation- no one to talk to.
What would you add to swansong
more guards each time they come on
show more people watching the humiliation
more swan movements, make it more about swansong
What was good about the spacing in swansong
Channel of light- a free and safe place
Pathways show him always trying to break free
Entrance and exit always from stage right to suggest a door
Point of triangle shows he is the focus of their attention and also shows their authority
Levels show authority
What movements stood out
Swan like movements show the theme- last performance but also show a bird= freedom
Off balance tilts and reaches show him not in control
Arm circles show him off balance/ falling or flying
The toe taps, conversation
Reaching through legs, sweeping leg across show trapped
Reaching on chair shows stuck and cant move
