In this body of work, I will be critically analysing the works
of Rooster and Dance Tek Warriors while discussing the similarities and
differences between the two pieces. Also, while discussing the contrasts of
dance I wish to explore the starting point of both pieces and they’re
inspiration.
Rooster was a piece that was choreographed by Christopher
Bruce. This piece was originally created
for “ballet du grand Theatre” on the 10th October 1991, performed by
London Contemporary Dance Company. This piece was then performed by Rambert
Dance Company in 1994. There are 10 dancers of which are 5 men and 5 women. The
beginning of the piece was known to be inspired by amnesty international. The
costume designer was Marian Bruce, who created the costumes to reflect the era
1960’s. The costumes of the male performers consisted of wearing velvet jackets
of different colours which included maroon, brown, black, green, and blue. Also
different colour shirts& ties accompanied with black trousers made to look
like black jeans and black shoes. In comparison to, their female counterparts
who wore simple dresses which were red/black accompanied with red neck scarfs
for the painted black section. The set design of rooster is on an undecorated
stage which is contained in a black box. The piece is performed on an empty
stage which is a key feature of the dance; this allows the dancers space to
perform. Bruce is typically known for
using themes parallel to current political issues, this is shown through his
choice of musical accompaniment which feature songs recorded by the rolling
stones. The choreographic intentions and dance styles behind Rooster were
contemporary with elements of jazz with jerky sharp movements. He has created
abstract pieces but even these pieces have a strong undercurrent of emotions.
Bruce also explores throughout the concept of what gender
roles played during the early 1900’s. For instance, Rooster is based on the
relationship between men and women. Men had more control and ascendency over
women, they take on women as a piece of possession. For example, this was shown
in the section of Ruby Tuesday of when she starts off with a fluent slow dance
with hand gestures and arm movements. Which contains, of them touching her to
show innocence and youth. Which turns into a group as four men enter behind
her. Which demonstrates on how men are wanting to control her by taking her way
by doing lifts and counter balances towards the end of the stage. Which
reflects on Christopher Bruce’s whole idea on how that there are voiced
concerns of society through gender.
Whereas, the other dance piece Dance Tek Warriors was
choreographed by Michael Joseph, Doug Elkins and Charmaines Seet. This was
danced by Union Dance Company of who presented the piece on the 12th
February 1998 at the Queen Elizabeth Hall. The number of dancers that were
performing in the dance piece was six dancers-3 men and 3 women. The starting
point and stimulus of this dance is from the game tekkon. When, the company
were on tour they were playing that game of which that they based the dance on
it to tell a narrative. The costume designer is Ursula Bombshell with the men
wearing white trousers and neutral colour t-shirt such as yellow and brown (loose
fitted). Similarly, women had to neutral t-shirt (but more of tight fitted) as,
there was a choreographer for the different pieces of the dance. Of who had the
choreographic style of features of showing this dance through chapters in a
narrative tone? Which explored having three separate choreographers which could
tell a different aspect of the story of the dance. Such as the variations of
themes which include spiritual warriors, tekkon game and freedom/hope. The
staging of the dance as there are boundaries that are shown by small circles of
light (especially at the beginning) or three identical pools on a diagonal
across the stage. The composition of the dance is being displayed out through
solo, duets, trios and quartets. For example, one couple performs a duet on one
podium, while other individual dancers take one half of the duet and perform it
on separate podiums. So, that the duet is simultaneously seen broken down as
separate unison phrases.
For example, the lighting style of dance Tek warriors is
that it has patterns. As, the light is being used to create lines and boxes
from small too big. With the colours blue and gold used to create this
contrasting effect of when the dancers use different dynamics and levels. For
instance, this is shown when the orange light is on the dancer during her solo.
The lighting was used to create this calm effect towards her dance, as there
were fluent and slow movement quality and dynamic. Similarly, Rooster lighting
is quite simplistic throughout the whole piece. For example, in the section of
sympathy for the devil there is more complex lighting, as there are different
cues which matches the dancer’s entrances/exits. Both pieces use lighting to
highlight the dances and serve a purpose towards the dance. Lighting is one of
the key aspects of the dance of which that it is used to capture the audience’s
attention, it also reflects on the whole concept and the dynamic of the dance
that it has to offer.
Dance tek warriors explore the concept of showing the
journey to becoming a warrior. The important aspects and themes of dance tek
warriors involve spiritual warriors, freedom/hope and the PlayStation game
tekken. For example, in section 1 “Mass Equilibrium in the sea of Tranquillity”
in the contact trio there was a use of different levels to create contact For
example, fast low level turns with windmill arms and fall backwards into arms
and rebound. Equally, they are transferring weight towards each other. Which
also symbolises on how in tekken that the combatants constantly battle against
running out of energy and power. Correspondingly, in rooster important aspects
and themes involves political issues and the concerns of society involving
gender roles. For example, in the section Ruby Tuesday it reconstructs the
theme of how men are more dominant. This because it starts off as a solo dance
of the female using repeated hand gestures in a flowing slow dynamic. Then,
three men come and carry the women around using contact to display on how she
is represented as a possession towards men.
In dance tek warriors the selected choices of accompaniment
was electronic music. With a collective music of different tracks. Including
various DJs and artists such as David Byrne, DJ shadows, Arrested Development
and etc. For example, in the section Bright Flames in Dark Waters uses eclectic
mix of music from different times and cultures. To create a dynamic field of
how the music linked to theme. Whereas, in Rooster the certain choices of
accompaniment were influenced by the 60’s involving songs recorded from the
rolling stones. For example, in the section “little red rooster” the
accompaniment choices highlight the choreographic intention. Of how there is a
dreadful attitude towards women which was seen as nature to men. As, there is
also a comparison between the strutting cockerel gestures and the man dressed
up to go out. To highlight how men are seen as practical.
In dance tek warriors, the costume choices desired by the
costume designer Ursula Bombshell included loose yoga pants, loose tops with neutral
colours for both pants and bottoms and tight tops for women. For example, all
the dancers do not exactly dress the same as the costume designer was intending
them to be their own spiritual warriors. This displays individuality for each
dancer. To serve a determination of the theme to the dance. However, in Rooster
the costume choices desired by the costume designer Marian Bruce reflect rather
than literally reproduce 1960’s dress. Through the men’s velvet jacket,
colourful shirts and co-ordinated ties. While there is individuality and
variation in the colourful costumes for the men, the women’s are identical.
In conclusion, both Rooster and Dance Tek Warriors explore
the similarities and differences. This essay has established that both pieces
are at different ends of the spectrum. This is shown through costume design,
lighting, theme and set design.
