KEY PRACTITIONER LESSON 1- in the countenance of kings

I quite enjoyed watching this piece as there was a myriad of components that appealed to me as both a dancer and spectator. The music was definitely one of the most prominent features that influenced the piece- the score started off with violin plucking, this in turn evoked the feeling of anticipation and excitement. The odd time signature is the first aspect that connoted towards an idea or freedom or normality. The video starts off in a typical studio setting however there is a dog- this anomaly could have been easily overlooked as a random choreographic quirk but alternately it can be interpreted as Peck highlighting the theme of normalcy in this piece. 

The girl's reflection takes out her hair and lets it down- this simple action has significance as it further contributes to this idea of freedom and letting go. Within the dance it was interesting to observe that all the transition steps were running, again promoting the theme of freedom. What can also be appreciated from the audience's perspective is the ambiguity that comes with this action of running- are the dancers running away from something? Perhaps responsibilities or hardships they want to escape from, or are they running towards something? something they want to achieve? a life goal or person? The formations displayed were not linear thus creating an ironically organised mess- although the patterns weren't very conventional they encouraged this theme of liberty. Even the fact that the dancers are wearing trainers also emphasises this which also drew attention to the more modern/neoclassical approach the choreographer took to this piece.

Additionally the actual movements themselves are very freeing in the sense that the port de bras isn't held. The dancers' arms are constantly moving which again contributes to the idea of a flowing freedom and continuity. In terms of movement, the choreography was rich in devices which increased its appeal. Firstly the use of inversion could symbolise the literal self reflection that the girl is experiencing- maybe suggesting that her more confident and bold persona has the desire to come out and be seen. Moreover argumentation is also included in the piece, for example in the earlier part of the piece a there is a recurring movement in the dance: a releve in 5th into a degage devon with a full port de bras over the front leg and the arms in arabesque. This was then later developed into a jump which is integrated with the climax as it happened simultaneously with the swell of the music.

Moreover, the use of numerical variation also intensifies this idea of freedom and constant change. Within the piece there isn't a main part or lead role, this could possibly represent that we live in a democratic society and have freedom of speech. In this day and age we are able to express ourselves in so many ways that we weren't able to before. I believe this piece is a coherent portrayal of how socially advanced we have become to be able to experience freedom like we do every day.