Shadows

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  • Created by: Mooey44
  • Created on: 23-03-18 18:55
What is the stimulus for Shadows?
Arvo Part’s Fratres for violin and piano was the starting point for the work.
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State the dance styles in Shadows
modern dance techniques with a combination of classical and contemporary dance.
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Discuss the choreographic approach
Bruce does not prepare movement before entering the studio, preferring to wait and work with the dancers so that he can be influenced by them. For Bruce, as well as being appropriate to the piece, the movement must also sit well on the dancers.
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What influenced the music?
The “anxiety of the music” greatly influenced the movement content, with the form of the piece allowing each member of the family to have a voice and tell their story.
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What is the choreographic intention of Shadows?
Bruce invites the audience into the world of a small family, possibly set in Eastern Europe (though this is left up to individual interpretation) coming to terms with deprivation, poverty, and the realities of what lies outside their intimate family.
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What is the structure of the piece?
Semi-narrative. Solo, duet, trio, quartet.
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Discuss the accompaniment in Shadows
Arvo Part’s Fratres. the version for violin and piano pre-recorded for use in performance. The music has no break in tempo, following Part’s signature style of composition – using broken chords and diatonic scales.
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Discuss the music and dance relationship
There is a clear correlation between the movement vocabulary and accompaniment in terms of speed and dynamics, often used to introduce each character and their emotional response to their environment.
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Describe the costumes in Shadows
The costumes are clearly gendered, depicting the era of the 1930s -1940s: simple shirts, skirts, trousers and dresses as well as large overcoats worn at the very end of the piece.
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How do the costumes show deprivation?
Colours are muted and worn down - again symbolising deprivation and poverty. Towards the end of the piece the dancers/family prepare to leave the house by putting on shoes and coats. It is clear that these jackets are oversized for the son/daughter.
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Discuss the use of lighting in Shadows
The lighting was designed by John B Read, who uses the lighting to create an intimate space on stage depicting the feeling of ‘a room’, as well as to indicate what is waiting for the family outside that they are so reluctant to step into.
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What is the performance environment in Shadows?
End Stage
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Describe the set in Shadows
Shadows uses a minimal set within a black-box (a simple set with bare walls and floor) theatre space. The piece includes a table, a bench, two stools, a coat stand and suitcases.
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What does the set / staging suggest?
The piece includes a table, a bench, two stools, a coat stand and suitcases – all worn-looking, and somewhat drab: confirming the notion of hardship within the family. The space created allows the audience to enter the heart of the home, the kitchen.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

State the dance styles in Shadows

Back

modern dance techniques with a combination of classical and contemporary dance.

Card 3

Front

Discuss the choreographic approach

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What influenced the music?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What is the choreographic intention of Shadows?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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Comments

MaxiJay

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Really helpful - thank you

Ruru_

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Thank you so much. This put new interpretations into my head.

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