Christopher Bruce

• Christopher Bruce

  Choreographer, 1994-2002
• Repertoire

  • Rooster
  • Ghost Dances
  • Sergeant Early's Dream
• Rooster

  • Choreographed by Bruce in 1991
  • Movement - eclectic styles, social dances, ballroom influences, rock and roll, partner work, balletic/ classical influence, character based, gestural, courtly dancing, Lindy Hop, music visualisation
  • Aural - rolling stones, influence from Buddy Holly, lyrics
  • Visual - black box stage, black and red uniformed dresses for women, different colour shirts/ties/jackets mismatched, jazz shoes, props such as feather boa and red neckerchief, Ruby Tuesday red knee length dress with hair down - only character who defies the women's uniformed look
• Ghost Dances

  • Choreographed by Bruce in 1981
  • Movement - Graham and ballet, folk influences, pedestrian ie sighing and sorrow, the day of the dead - cultural influences, intricate footwork, ghost dancers are evil (oppression/dictatorship) the villagers are harmed by this
  • Aural - South American music with vocals, guitar/ukulele, sound effect of dripping water - inside cave
  • Visual - narrow minded stuck in political oppression, set - cloth depicting opening of cave out into sea, when cast face upstage - looking out to what else is outside of the cave
• Sergeant Early's Dream

  • Choreographed by Bruce in 1984
  • Movement - flexed feet, runs on heels, deep plies, hands on hips (women) hands behind back (men) - gendered roles, holding skirts up, linked arms, kicking heels out
  • Aural - 11 sections of music creating 11 episodic choreographic sections, Irish and American folk songs, vocal/musical, lyrics/action content reflects imagery/narrative suggested by the lyrics, Irish drum (bodran), Irish fiddle, concertina, uillean pipes
  • Visual - single drop cloth/cyclorama setting the piece at portside with a sea scape behind, costume - loose light skirts allowing dancers to stylise the movement, lighting evokes mood of song
• Alternatim

  If didn't take the job, the company would close
• Development of company

  • Terms and conditions inc. expand number of dancers, backing from the board and arts council, expand the repertoire to all styles and techniques
  • Treated everyone as equals and colleagues which supported original ethos of company
  • Associate director shared with Alston and North 1975-1979, associate choreographer 1979-1987
  • Invited guest choreographers including Cunningham, Davies and McGregor
  • Providing opportunities for new choreographers
• Characteristics

  • Influences of Graham and ballet combined
  • Character/narrative
  • Political/social influence
  • Music visualisation
  • Partner work
  • Gestural