Dramatic Dance

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.

Darren Royston

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] Bourrée 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