Module 2

Reharsal Interview

Maddie Shimwell

Subject: alternating the music for the duet Pure

-How did you feel the different music selections affected you in your personal interpretation of the choreography?

Maddie- When we performed the duet to Ed Sheeren, I interpreted it as a more light hearted duet with all the lifts showing a playful relationship between ben and myself whereas when we performed it to Ella Eyre it felt more passionate and serious. I felt like Ed sheeren worked well with the name of the duet ‘Pure’ as it felt like a young romance whereas Ella Eyre showed a stronger older relationship that I didn’t think really suited the meaning behind the duet.

-Where you aware of how it might have affected the piece as a whole?

 Maddie-Before performing them both, I didn’t really see how it would affect the duet, I thought the timing would change in a few sections but as soon as we went through it with the different songs, you could tell the meaning behind the duet would change with the change of music.

-Do you believe this is an important exercise to deliver a higher quality in a dance performance?

Maddie- As we performed each duet back to back, it was a very helpful exercise for me to get into character quickly and show a change of mood for the audience. For example, In shows where there are many different pieces and no time to get into character in between choreographies, you just have to do it as you go along. In the launch for the company, we had to go from ‘Requested’ which is a very lighthearted piece straight into ‘Choose Life’ which is the complete opposite. If the music didn’t portray the difference, performing it would have been a very hard task.

-How do you reflect the idea of how another art form could support the dance industry?

Maddie- I think the dance industry has a perfect excuse to use other art forms. It provides more depth to the choreography and creates a more entertaining performance. As well as the choice of music; Costume, Make up and lighting can really affect the way a choreography is portrayed. It sets the mood for the audience as well as helping the dancers get into character. Photography and film as an art form supports the dance industry mainly through advertisement and promoting dance companies but some choreographers use these forms in the dance created. Alfie Smith created a piece using photos and footage from the First World War and this created a more powerful emotional response from the audience.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfilesr6K3o