Dance Appreciation

Dance Appreciation

In the begging of rooster, we hear the words “I am little red rooster “which was taken on by a male dancer which applies the characteristics of a rooster like animal. Through the social and political themes and influences of the dance is shown as a reflection of his own concerns and how he see things within the society during the 1960s, through men having more dominant and power than women which shows how the society was not treated fairly and there was not enough equality. As men had a higher social status and power than women because of how men are seen as more practical while women are seen as more of looking after the children and staying at home looking after the family (this is stereotypically seen). Even though his main concept of the dance is to create a piece which is shown as thrilling and in a powerful jerky way through the actions and dynamics such as the motif of the chicken of the rooster dance which emphasises how the rooster is very cocky and jerky and free of spirit. This dance work does not see a conflict between showcasing/creating interesting and big movements through the use of social and political issues. This uses a range of different starting points particularly through the use of the music and the literature which highlights/shows a significance of how Christopher Bruce is trying to tackle down these issues. One of the people who were a very strong influence who were installing very high standards and possibly show a significance towards the whole piece of the dance rooster. This dance is very independent through the use of the music which has a particular effect towards Christopher Bruce’s choreography. For example, in rooster the women were trying to show a sassy attitude towards the men as they used very articulate movements. This could show how women should be also seen as important not only men as everyone should be treated the same. The rolling stones music was used in the rooster dance piece as during the 70s Christopher Bruce became more aware of this existing music as he used to listen to it. The dance uses the rolling stones best songs. As the dance movements are smooth but sharp, the sharp gestures hits the beat which gives that sharp jerky type of feeling towards the dance. For example, both men and women use neck, leg and hand gestures in the backstage which all the dancers show the different types of characteristics of the rooster. His intentions behind the music is to celebrate the rolling stones. During this time the rights of males and females were in a slow phase of equalise. The use of the music, dance and the significance amount of hand and body gestures and costume creates a feeling of a Saturdays night out. Also, this shows how men try to take a significant advantage of women. For example, the use of the motif of men strutting cockered with its fine feathers this shows the image of men getting dressed up and ready. The use of the dancers being together well(for example, the dancers are all in sync together while doing the motif of the rooster dance-the motif of them representing/showing a chicken rooster type of animal). The relationship throughout the dance between men and women keep on changing. For example, a group of men doing the motif then afterwards a women comes along which changes the relationship that they have. This also shows how gender roles were one of the main aspects of the dance. Within the beginning of the dance it is showing how teenagers became more experimental in terms of sexuality and attitude. As an example, the 'rooster' approaches both male and female in a seductive type of manner made up of hip movements and isolations. Another of the key elements of the dance is during the female solo as she is almost skips and moves around playing with her hair as a child would do. Afterwards, male dancers then enter which could symbolise society throwing youth within this sexuality fuelled world which during the 60s that people lived upon. In addition, the motif of all the females using slow and sassy movements could show how the females wanted to show how the men should not be the only ones of who has to lead this. This emphasises how the gender roles keep on going back and forth as this was the time of change so women were finding areas in which they could possibly dominate and been also seen as powerful and not only men (as it should show both).But that does not happen as in the 1950’s women lived in a dominated society by men. As women were not worth that much, they were seen as inferior.