Dance (A Linha Curva)

• Who is the Choreographer?

  Itzik Galili.
• What is the dance style?

  A Linha Curva is filled with rhythmic pulses and blends samba, capoeira, and contemporary dance technique.
• "I am interested in exploring how these rhythms can be transformed from their original context to become part of a new language that speaks about our time." - Itzik Galili
• Britain’s national company for contemporary dance
• When was the company found by Marie Rambert

  1926
• Marie Rambert was a pioneer in choreography and developing dancers as artists
• Rambert


  • Shares the widest range of repertoire
  • Works from our rich heritage as the UK’s oldest dance company
  • New works and re-stagings by choreographers from all over the world
• Rambert's dancers


  Combine rigorous technique and artistry with an extraordinary ability to challenge and entertain
• Rambert is renowned for its use of live music
• Rambert is the only UK-based contemporary dance company always to tour with an orchestra
• Date of first performance?

  Originally performed by Balé da Cidade de São Paulo (Brasil), 2005. Rambert premiere Tuesday 12 May 2009 at Sadler’s Wells, London.
• Dance Style?

  The work is filled with rhythmic pulses and blends samba, capoeira, and contemporary dance technique
• When originally creating A Linha Curva, Itzik Galili worked collaboratively with the dancers and nearly all of the motifs were composed from improvisation
• Creating a very short solo

  1. Dancers choreograph a solo of some of their favourite moves

  2. Stay within the boundaries of their allocated square within a chequer-board grid

  3. Sequences named after the dancer who made it

  4. Dancers learn each other’s sequences to form the basis of this large ensemble work
• Essences of the dancers’ personalities

  Can be seen in the sequences
• Each sequence was named after the dancer who made it
• Stimulus?

  A Linha Curva means The Curved Line in Portuguese. The stimulus for the work is Brazilian culture. Galili wanted to create a celebration the Brazilian way of life and the ability to live in the moment.
• The intention behind the choreography is simply to have fun - but there are
• Choreographic Intention?

  also a few contradictions, as touched upon in the title. Large ensemble sections of vibrant Brazilian inspired movement are performed in regimental straight lines, creating a sense of samba parade. There are also a number of narrative sections that through the choreography present observations of how Brazilian men communicate with women, for example men in tribes hunting the girls as well as showing off and competing with each other.
• Dancers?

  28 dancers (15 male / 13 female)
• Duration?

  23 minutes
• Structure?

  Distinct parts to the piece that are made up of big ensemble dance sections interspersed with scenes that have more of a sense of narrative and character. The big ensemble dance sections involve the dancers performing a series of repeated phrases in a number of different formations that are dictated by the grid-like, multi-coloured lighting. The more narrative scenes do not feature the grid lighting effect and it is during these sections that Galili explores the competitive nature of the males and how they relate to the women.
• Aural Setting?

  The music is written by Percossa, a percussion group based in Holland. The music, which includes vocal sounds, is played live by four percussionists and is influenced by Brazilian samba music. The dancers also contribute to the vocal sounds.
• Costume?

  Designed by Itzik Galili. Male and female dancers both wear black vests with different coloured Lycra shorts. The colours are carnival inspired and enhance the impact of the lighting. The shorts are made out of wet look Lycra and come in ten different colours. This uniform look adds to the feeling of equality in the ensemble sections. The men wear metallic disc-shaped collars that reflect the light for the opening of the dance.
• Lighting?

  Designed by Itzik Galili. The different coloured and timed lighting creates a chequer-board effect on stage and defines the lines and spacing for the dancers in large ensemble sections of the piece. The timing and cues for the lighting is pre-programmed and so in a way dictates the speed and pace of the dancing and music.
• Performance Environment?

  End stage.
• Staging/Set?

  There is no set apart from a raised platform at the back of the stage upon which 4 percussionists perform. In one section skateboards are used to propel 5 dancers across the stage.