Town And Country (1991)

Question 1

What is significant about this piece?

Answer 1

-Bourne’s first full length evening piece
-Personal as Bourne performed it

Question 2

What is the subject matter?

Answer 2

A look at England and Englishness through the 7 sides of life. Looks at the stereotypes of class; with country including milking cows, hunting and drinking tea

Question 3

Who are the dancers in this work?

Answer 3

9 dancers

Question 4

What is the physical setting?

Answer 4

-change of backgrounds, from a mansion with baths to a view of green fields and scenery
-lighting remains bright
-costume in country garden: females in long white frocks with hats and tights, males in brown trousers with long white socks and tops

Question 5

Describe 2 uses of choreographic devices and explain their use.

Answer 5

-Highlights = girl cradled by 2 male dancers and swings back and forth and girl behind pretends to push her then she jumps off. = contact work and changing of levels captures the attention of the audience making this a memorable moment

-Canon = all four dancers one after the other, facing stage left, rock backwards throwing their arms out straight in front of them, then jump lifting both legs up and swinging their arms back behind them. = creates interest for audience and shows the lives of the characters living in the countryside

Question 6

Describe a use of a music dance relationship and explain its use.

Answer 6

Direct correlation: 4 little hops changing feet, whilst clapping hands in front of body, with each dancer taking their own circular pathway. = completely in time with 4 notes in the music

Question 7

Give a movement example from the country garden dance

Answer 7

2 males, stood side by side, assume an attitude position, stood on their right leg facing stage right and their right arm is extended out and their left arm tucked near their chest. Creates impression of hunting and holding a bow and arrow like you’d do in the country. 2 females then turn with legs and arms in fifth and step into same attitude position but on left leg, facing stage left, with their hands on top of one another held by their chins.
-music is fast tempo, upbeat and light sounding reflecting happy mood of the dancers out in the country.

=can be used to show combination of classical ballet and contemporary/ characterised blend of styles