Lonely Town, Lonely Street (1980)

• Lonely Town, Lonely Street: Robert North’s jazz ballet "Lonely Town, Lonely Street", in which he himself takes part, is a passionate portrait of a lonely person in the big city.
• The work takes its title from the popular music of Bill Withers, on which it is based, and from the stage design by Andrew Storer, whose set with fire escapes represents a rundown neighbourhood in a North American metropolis.
• • The titles of the compositions alone give an indication of the stage action: "Song for Guy", "Lonely Town, Lonely Street", "Another day to run", "Let me in your life", "I don’t want you on my mind", "Who is he and what is he to you", "Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone" and "You".
• The general style is a blend of ballet and Graham-based contemporary technique with dramatic expression of emotion through facial expression and projection. North also incorporates other movements and dance styles depending on the choice of music and subject matter, e.g. Troy Game (1974) – Capoeira & Aikido, Lonely Town, Lonely Street (1980) – Jazz, Entre dos Aguas (1984) – flamenco.Troy Game (1974) – Capoeira & Aikido, Lonely Town, Lonely Street (1980) – Jazz, Entre dos Aguas 
• • Music is central to North’s work
  • Has worked with pre-existing scores in a wide range of styles: classical, folk, popular and also commissioned scores
  • Music usually sets the context, theme or narrative for the work
  • Death and the Maiden (1980) Schubert
  • Lonely Town, Lonely Street (1980) Songs by Bill Withers 
• • North has often included complex design and production elements in his work more akin to musical theatre and classical ballet than contemporary dance
• • costumes, set and lighting will work with the movement and music to communicate a context, emotive meaning and or narrative
• paintings by artists such as Picasso and Matisse have formed a backdrop to his work