Ghost Dances

Need to know: Choreographer: Christopher Bruce Music produced by: Inti Illimani, South American Folk Music Music arranged by: Set Design: Christopher Bruce Costume: Belinda Scarlett Lighting: Nick Chelton Premiere: 3 rd July 1981, performed by Ballet Rambert, Bristol Theatre Royal

Sections 1.Opening and Ojos Azules 2.Huajra 3.Dolencias 4.Papel de Plata 5.Mis Llamitas 6.Sicuriadas 7.Ojos Azules

Style – Lyrical/Narrative A one act dance in which 3 skeletal ghosts await a group of dead who re- enact moments from their lives, before passing onto the underworld (heaven or hell) Dance styles – Folk, contemporary, ballet Folk-linking chain movements and small neat stepping patterns Contemporary – bold plies, rolls, tumbles Ballet – whirling, circling movements, arabesques

Inspirations/Starting Points Bruce was asked to choreograph a work for the Chilean Human Rights Committee Victor Jara’s (South American folk artist) wife Joan. Victor Jara was murdered in the coup in Bruce used stories heard first hand from Jara’s wife to create a dance suggesting the suffering and defiance of the people yet reflect their dignity and determination to continue despite tragedy during their struggle for freedom. Masked dances – Bolivia South American culture Music – Inti Illimani

Overall Structure Cyclical form – the ending echoes and to some extent repeats the opening section This could suggest that we are watching a memory, scenes from the past There is a climax in the 6 th section It is a palindrome of seven sections – they work the same forwards or backwards (ANNA) The dead pass diagonally across the stage, which could suggest they are in ‘transiiton’ or on a journey passing from life to death The Ghosts also create this diagonal during the piece

Set Design Designed for a proscenium arch stage We see a rocky plain with mountain peaks and an opening to a cave – this could suggest entry to the underworld There are several rock like structures It could be interpreted as the valley of the shadow of death Do the rocks look like skulls/coffins?

Lighting Enhances the action by highlighting specific details We are given an impression of a shadowy place through atmospheric lighting This is made gloomier by a green light when the ghosts are active A sculptured appearance of the Ghost Dancers is emphasised by side lighting, which also casts shadows When the dead are performing the lighting is generally brighter which reflects their character and mood of the piece Once the dead have entered the stage, the lighting is the one changing feature There are sudden changes at moments of dramatic deaths Other lighting changes/alterations happen so the audience is not necessarily aware of them or how their viewing is being manipulated A cold blue light overhead focuses on the deaths at the ends of the duets

Props No props used really The rocks are used by the Ghosts and the dead to either hide behind or rest on In section 5 the colourful tie of a male dancer is used playfully