Rooster Ruby Tuesday

Analyse the movement: Action/Space/Dynamics/Relationship. How do they support the theme and intention of the work?

The dance is performed by a women, soloist. Having a women do a solo shows the sexism. There is already a man on stage but as soon as the women comes on, he exits stage right using the movement of the rooster which is cocky and arrogant. In the first phrase of Ruby Tuesday the women comes on back wing stage left then walks forward with her hands behind her back and her focus lowered. She lifts her leg forward, collapses back as she steps behind, lifts her leg again with her arm extended and again collapses back as she curls her torso forward and falls backwards wrapping her arms around her. She appears slightly fragile, with her focus down and her backwards steps. This may show that she is quite shy and cautious, just by walking on shows the audience the gender difference. Movement theme and motifs are introduced in the first phrase, then developed and manipulated throughout subsequent phrases through the use of choreographic devices.

 

The lyrics take a big part in the story. The song is called ‘Ruby Tuesday’, by The Rolling Stones. She doesn’t dance to the song it’s self she dances along to the lyrics of the song. “Don’t question why she needs to be so free. She’ll tell you it’s the only way to be. She just can’t be chained to a life where nothings gained and nothings lost, at such a cost”, this shows that life should be lived in the moment. Reality of war and nuclear arms means your life could end at any moment, by someone else’s choice. The Rolling Stones were around in the 60’s and there wasn’t very many equal rights, therefore women didn’t have much choice or say in anything.

 

There are lots of sustained movements, times of suspension using moments of reaching to demonstrate the idea of reaching for hope. There are movement which use the choreographic devices, abstraction was used to transform original gestures of twirling the hair or flicking it upside down which indicates the idea of thoughtfulness. The use of addition, she swings her leg then repeats but adding a hop forward, wrapping her arms round herself. There is use of tempo as well, some places is fast then other slow then there is moments of stillness when she goes to pick up something from the floor, maybe flowers.

 

Her pathways are direct, she knew where she was going. This may give the idea of determination and independence. She knows what she is aiming for and how she is going to get there. Using diagonal or straight lines, she travels there quickly of various part, meaning the quick she gets want she wants to do done, it’s over.

 

His intention is to focus on the political and personal issues. He using usual starting points to create up movement: poetry, literature, music, newspaper articles and world events. Through choreography he voices his concerns. The story line is based on relationship between men and women. His intention is to celebrate the music of “The rolling Stones”, using qualities ans stories behind the song to reflect ‘sexual tension’ (witnessed when growing up in 1960s).

Rooster has 8 sections,each with a different song. Each piece could easily be a solo but it’s done together to create atmosphere and contemporary attitudes. There are 5 dancer, 1 solo female, joined by 4 men.

week 4 term 1

On Monday we had a guest come in to teach us a piece from the show 'Rooster', Ruby Tuesday. We had a workshop which we worked on the whole lesson.


What Went Well?
1) I was able to get a good understanding of what the style was like.
2) I was able to take three of the movements and create a whole new motif.
3) I could pick up the choreography easily.


Even Better If?
1) I could have took more risks when doing the routine given to us.
2)When I rehearse I need to do the arms properly so when I'm actually performing it my arms will be held in a more stronger position
3) Make use of the lyrics in the music to go with the movements, use the lyrics to get an understanding of the feelings.

Rambert

Rooster was choreographed by a man called Christopher Bruce. He was born 1945 in Leicester, England. He started studying dance at the age of 11. After study at Rambert School he joined Rambert Ballet in 1963 and became a lead male dancer. The company began experimenting with ballet and modern, specifically Martha Graham technique.
In 1977 he was appointed associate director of the company until 1987. He created over 20 works for the company.
Influences
He focused on the political and personal issues. He using usual starting points to create up movement, poetry, literature, music, newspaper articles and world events. Through the choreography he would voice his concerns. His other works are:- Ghost dances/Swansong/Silence is the end of our song/ Cruel Garden/Sargeant Early's Dream.
Themes and ideas
The story line is based on relationship between men and women. His intention is to celebrate the music of 'The Rolling Stones', using qualities and stories behind the song to reflect 'sexual tension' (witnessed when growing up in 1960s). When Bruce grew up he was surrounded by sexism and racism. There were 8 specific songs by the rolling stones e.g Little red rooster / Ruby Tuesday/ Play with fire
Set and lighting
Not much set, the stage was undecorated. The lighting was simplistic throughout the whole piece. A bare stage is a key feature of Bruce's work as he is aware that dancers need plenty of room to dance.
Costumes
The costumes reflect on the 60'. The men wore velvet jackets, shirts and ties (each male with different colours) with black trousers and jazz shoes. In 'Ruby Tuesday' there were 4 males who wear all black jackets. The women are all identical, wearing simple black and red colour scheme. The male influences by Mick Jagger. This shows the sexism as the men are represented as different however the women all dress the same as though they are all seen as one person and no able to have their own identity.
The Dance
It has 8 sections each with a different song, It piece could easily be solos but its done together to create atmosphere and contemporary attitudes.
Distinctive movements though-out
'Rooster strut:- Men mimic cockerels
Grooming gestures:- Straightening cuffs, Sticking down their hair.
Jumps:- Men suggests a chicken trying to fly with stubby wings.
Everyday gestures:- Handshaking
Repeated floor work:- Both sexes, rolling and turning on the floor.
Repeated courtly geestures:- first in 'Lady Jane' but is repeated several times.
Ruby Tuesday
There are 5 dancers, 1 solo female, joined by 4 men
The men perform simple movements in unison/pairs. The choreography for the women are very typical style of Bruce and classical in nature. The female dancer plays with her hair a lot and picks something from the floor, maybe flowers? She twists her arms and hand suggest of underlying tension.

Character profile

1.  Who:- Kid playing in the park
    Age:- 9 Years old
   Gender:- Girl
   Manner:- The movement for the kid would be quick, agile, energetic. I would represent this through the use of dynamics, through the use of levels for example showing the natural movements one would use in the park and on the equipment. I could also use suspense to contrast the various levels of energy of the child.
    
    
2. Who:- Dog walker
   Age:- Mid-twenties
   Gender:- Female
   Manner:- The movement  for the dog walker would be brisk, energetic and using a direct pathway. I would represent this through the use of dynamics, using the relationship with the idea of a dog and the music.

Week 3 Term 1

Today we did a technique class a bit like last Thursday. We repeated the exercises from last night:-
1)Roll Down
2)Curls and Tilts


This was the second time I did these so I knew them better so instead of thinking about the exercise I could add dynamic range to them, using suspense and whether the movements are sharp and strong or heavy and fluid.We learnt part of a dance which is by Jasmin Vardiman. It's set in a park, this will be performed in duets or trios. Each person in the duet/trio will have a character. We will develop the way that character would perform the movement. Then identify the ways in which the characters will react and see the similarities and difference in their relationship between on another.


What Went Well?
I remembered the exercises which helped me develop the movement. I used a range of dynamics to make it look more interesting. I was able to get an understanding of Jasmin Vardiman choreography. The corner work I was able to develop the jumps and rolls which helped my strength.


Even Better If?
Next time I should use facial expression to tell more of a story. I would also take more risks, in doing this it will make it look better and mature as a dancer.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8SzLBPTiYk

Inspirations

Akram Khan

Background:-

He began dancing and training in the classical Indian dance form of Kathka at the age of seven. He began his stage career at the age of thirteen. Kathak is one of eight Indian classical dances, originating from India. He later studied contemporary dance.

Works:-

“Rush” seems to have nearly no music just sounds each movement is isolated and change from fast to slow movement. The movement flow into each other. Free fall is a physical state between speed and stillness.

“Scared monsters” is more dainty and free. In my opinion I would class it as contemporary with Akram Khan incorporating kathak into the dance, in a contemporary style.

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui

He was born in Antwerp in 1976. His career started in 2000. AT the age of fifteen he was really hooked on dance. He has had collaborations with Akram Khan, Antony Gormley and the Chinese Shaolin monks. At the same time he began to take classes in all kinds of styles – ballet, tap, hip-hop, jazz, flamenco.

Works:-

“Sutra” is worked with a group of monks and also with himself as an outsider. He works with props/set which are big boxes. The themes are cultural, personal, and religious and spiritual differences. He works with more network music other than narrative music. There is a lot of contact work which can turn into shadowing each other then turning into one big creature.

Collaboration between both of them:-

The show “Zero degrees” was a collaboration between Akran Khan and Sidi Larbi. They found similarities in their work and were also raised in the same way. Combining the kathak dance with the contemporary moves creating speed and precision. In August 2000, he launched Akram Khan Company. His first full-length work Kaash, a collaboration with Anish Kapoor and Nitin Sawhney, was performed at the Edinburgh Festival in 2002.

Choreography/Improvisation

We explored choreography and improvisation today. Improvisation is when you do movements that you haven't thought of and it just comes to mind. The music was playing in the background while we were given instruction on what to do, e.g we imagined we had a ball and we rolled it around the body, then we dipped a body part in paint and then had to draw everywhere in the room with that body part and paint. This warmed the body up and loosened the muscles up which will then be easier for other movements.


We got "Mary Berry" recipe which we went through and highlighted the words that are most like "doing words". We had to chose 10 over all, I chose:- Pushing, Melted, Stand, Shape, Roll, Spread, Dust, Stir, Turn out and Sifted. I used this to make a motif, I then developed my motif by using choreographic devices, I chose to use:
Staging- To change the direction in which you perform.
Repetition- Repeat a phrase
Additive/Incorporative- Turning the movement into things like, running, jumping or sliding.


We then performed the movement I think I managed to create and develop it well but next I should challenge myself and take more risks.

Principles Of Training

Progress overload


Increase the intensity to improve a particular skill on the muscle group e.g going from 1 minute plank then increasing the time by a curtain amount. We can increase how many times we do the exercise per week.


FITT:-
Frequency- How often you do something for
Intensity- How much it's pushing you as an individual
Time- How long you do it for
Type- How you change it to make it harder for yourself


Today we worked on core strength, doing plank and sit ups using weights. We also worked on cardio endurance, warming up, we ran around and got given instructions on what to do to get the heart rate up. Through-out the warm up and parts of the lesson we worked on muscular endurance.

Dance As

Week 2 Term1

Today was the first Dance As lesson of the year. From todays lesson I got a deeper understanding of the course that I will be taking. We do a written paper for an hour and a half which is out of 60 marks (40%). The other practical work which includes a solo choreography and Performance, a duet/Trio Performance out of 90 marks (60%).
The course is based on mainly contemporary, but also jazz technique. We will research historical and cultural of contemporary and jazz.

What Went Well?
I picked up the choreography quickly. By doing this I could then work on the dynamics of the motifs. For example when we do the swing motif, I used the heaviness of my head, this makes it look more interesting to watch as it looks relaxed and is fluid.

Even Better If?
Next time I think I will focus on traveling and the core strength so when I turn and finish in parallel so it looks effortless. Working on the core will also help me travel. I will also work on my elevation, coming from the corner will did jumping and rolling. Jumping after the floor is a lot of work, it requires core strength and elevation.