Dramatic Dance (An Actor’s Approach to Dance as a Dramatic Art)

Title: Dramatic Dance (An Actor's Approach to Dance as a Dramatic Art)
Author: Royston, Darren
Price: $29.99

Dance is part of the art of theatre, a part which connects to movement, to communication, to improvisation, and to performance. It cannot exist on its own in the context of dramatic performance, but works in conjunction with other elements to enable meanings to be created in performance.

Dramatic Dance sets a programme for actors to perform dance as part of the drama, offering several approaches which can contribute to developing this understanding, to training this skill, and always ensuring that the whole active and thinking body and mind are fully engaged with the task of making dance an integral and vital part of theatre. To study dance in this way allows students to develop further their understanding of logic and structure in a dramatic text.

Many books deal with one aspect of dance or another: some on dance training, some on dance history, some on Rudolf Laban's ideas, some as dance manuals, and some as academic papers. Dramatic Dance is the first book to act as a comprehensive guide for theatre practice, bringing together these different, complementary disciplines.


CONTENTS
Introduction
Alternative Approaches: Making Dance Dramatic
Chapter One - Ancient Ideas: Dionysian Orchestration
Chapter Two - Medieval Realms: Feudal Formations
Video samples: [1] French Basse Danse: La Dame; [2] Royal Estampie: La Quinte Estampie Real
Chapter Three - Italian Balls: Renaissance Rhythms
Video samples: [3] Italian Bassadanza for 2: Alexandresca; [4] Italian Bassadanza for 3: Pellegrina; [5] Italian Ballo for 2: Rostibolly Gioioso; [6] Italian Ballo for 4: Anello
Chapter Four - Shaking with Shakespeare: Court and Country
Video samples: [7] New Almaine; [8] La Volta; [9] Italian Balletto: Torneo Amoroso; [10] Washerwomen's Branle; [11] Country Dance for 2 couples: Rufty Tufty; [12] Country Dance for 3 couples: Shepherds' Holiday; [13] Country Dance for 3 couples: Picking of Sticks
Chapter Five - Baroque Around the Clock: Mincing by the Minuet
Video Samples: [14] The Ballroom Minuet; [15] Bourre
Chapter Six - Nineteenth Century Coupling: Partners Please
Video samples; [16] Allemanding; [17] Mazurka; [18] Polka
Chapter Seven - Twentieth Century Foxtrots: Crazy Dances and Dance Crazes
Video sample: [19] Charleston
Conclusion - Taking Leave: The Final Bow


REVIEWS
\"Actors get so much from the practical experience of exploring historical dance ideas . . . Darren's fantastic, thorough approach to dance for the actor can be referred to throughout the rehearsal process and helps to unite the style of the production.\" - Jamie Lloyd, Director, She Stoops to Conquer, National Theatre, London

\"This all-embracing approach gives actors a grounding in fundamental stagecraft and a vital sense of body while preparing for a role.\" - Andrew Normington, Director, The Lord Chamberlain's Men & former Head of Acting, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School

\"Royston, a tutor at Rada, gives the reader a fascinating insight into the techniques used at this prestigious institution ... A lively exploration of how historical dance forms can be brought to life on stage.\" - Gillian Spickernell, The Lady

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date: 24/04/2014
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781408173817
Publishing status: OS In-stock BN