Still Life at the penguin Cafe

"Still life" at the Penguin Cafe

Starter Activity

Relationships

Action

Dynamic

Space

What is your Opinion of section 1 (The great Auk)?

Interweaving solo, unison, cannon

Action

• Polka
• gallop
• hops
• springs

Dynamics

Skimming

Space

• Small actions
• curved floor patterns
• angular body shapes

KEY FACTS

Costume designer

Choreographer

Choreographed

Simon Jeffes (Orchestra)

Danced by The Royal Ballet

5 minutes to answer the following questions:

1. What is The Great Auk?

2. How does the Great Auk relate to the stimulus of the piece?

Auk

• Penguin
• Extinct
• Relates to the stimulus
• Penguins are liked – bothers people that they are now extinct
• Make an impact
• Images: Friendly, funny, welcoming, waiter

How does this relate to the stimulus?

• Extinction
• Environment
• Penguin matches the waiter
• Even though the penguin is from Antartica the theme of extinction is global

Styles of dance

Latin America

Traditional Ballroom

The Great Auk

audience pays attention

arm movement limited

footwork main interest

Costumes

Describe the costume in this section

Hayden Griffin

The Auk

The Women

The Men

• Tray of champagne glasses

• White shirt

• Bow tie

• Black tail coat

• Waistcoat

• Close fitting trousers

• Attired waiter

Women

•Brightly coloured shiney dresses

•2 yellow

•2 cerise

•2 green

•2 blue

•1930’s style

•Cross over straps

•Cut low back

•Bare arms and shoulders

•Flowing skirts, ankle length

•Skirt with abstract shapes e.g. butterfly and insect wings

•Silver high heels

•Hair long and flowing

Men

• Formally dressed

• Black suits

• Whitebow ties

• Shirt

• Waistcoats

• Similar to penguin

• Hair carefully groomed

• Black shoes

How and Why does David Bintley Choose to mix human and Auk qualities?

How?

• Some men and women wear penguin masks
• Not same as great Auk
• Human qualities more visable
• Each couple, one wears a mask

WHY?

• Human and hybrids interact together to show the relationship between Man and Auk
• Man and Animals can live in harmony
• Auks waiting on humans – shows human use animals for various things e.g. clothes, food.
• Idea of humans are above animals in the circle of life

Setting

Black

Realistic snow covered mountains

Bright blue sea

Bright lightening

Pale colours

Table chairs and coat stands

Large window in centre

Realistic backdrop

Grand and elegant

Reflective material

Film editing portrays a illusion of engulfing the dancers in a room

Dancers become within the audience

Focus on setting

Beginning

Represents the environment of great Auks home

Beautiful

Serene

Calm

No industraliation!!!

Provides entrance for other dancers

Middle

Café style

Pale and delicate colours – mood of sophistication

Reflection to ensure realism to the audience

End

Dancers become audience in order to watch rest of the show

Audience involved in the extinction of animals not just the dancers

accompaniment

Describe the accompaniment in this section and what it is?

Lively

Light hearted

Simple tune

Harmonic phrases

Quiz Time!!!

1. Who choreographed Still life at the penguin café?

2. What is the animal called in section 1?

3. What is the idea of the piece?

4. Who is the set designer?

5. Who composed the music?

6. What dance styles are used in section 1?

7. Give an example of the lighting in section 1.

8. Name an instrument used in section 1

9. How many hybrid couples are there?

10. When was it choreographed and who performed it?6.

• String – slower pattern – produce climax
• Harmonic phrases
• Piano – jazz influence
• 3 repeating sections – piano strongly featured in 2nd section
• Penguins – 1st section
• Customers – 2nd section
• Repitions – 3rd section
• End with single high note

Welcoming to everyone

Musical accompaniment

1988

The Couples

David Bintley

Hayden Griffin

Relationtionship

Action

Relationship

Dynamic

Space

• flexing
• flexed feet
• turns

Bouncy