Learning the dance did pose some serious obstacles however it also helped me realise some characterisations I could use for Alexander.
The style of dancing we are attempting is called Baroque which was the precursor to modern ballet and was the fashionable music and dancing of the time. I looked on YouTube at some videos of Baroque dancers to get an idea of the way in which it was meant to look. Here is one of the videos I watched.
The Character
One thing that I immediately realised was the graceful nature in which they dance, it is light and smooth. The difference in the sexes is minimal they are both as light and bouncy as one another. I also thought about the upright nature of which they were standing, this was also pointed out by Josie, the lady who taught us the dance. The 21st Century posture is very different from the 18th Century one and this is something I not only have to take into consideration for the dance but also the characterisation of Alexander. Letting my posture slide would brake the illusion, it would pull the 18th Century world we create straight back to a group of modern actors trying to act like they are from the 1700s.
The Dance
Learning the dance and getting it right was also a challenge, as a group we went through all the steps and practiced them over and over again. One way that helped me remember what to do was create a chart of all the moves. This is shown below.
As a group of non-dancers it was definitely a challenge and finding my graceful side was not the easiest thing. However, by practicing it with cast members and asking them for advice I believe that my posture is sliding in to place. Repetition and the chart helped me memorise the moves and although I was nervous at the start I am beginning to grow more confident with this section of the play.
