Title: Dance Work
Work: Different Trains
Summary
Set to the music of the same name by the American minimalist composer Steve Reich, for live and taped string quartet, taped monologue and sounds of trains, the dance follows the structure of the music (which is in three parts) and draws from the speech within the music (stories from people who made different train journeys between 1939 and 1942, including his own as a child travelling across America and those of Jewish people in Europe during World War Two). A large set behind the dance action comprises a metallic wall of chrome discs upon which are two enormous 'blade' constructions. These rotate for much of the dance at different speeds. Lighting design adds to the idea of travel by marking out diagonal lines across the stage space.
Analysis
‘…the rich palette of her dance movement – sensuous glissando footwork that flipped into a hard staccato pulse, reckless twists and falls packed within a single phrase, duets of weary weightedness – also detailed the qualities and concerns of this group of people living variously threatened, exhausted or avid lives’ (Judith Mackrell, Dance Now, 1997).
‘Davies looked at Steve Reich's writings, relating to his composition, telling of the different train rides he had taken as a small boy travelling from the East to West coasts of America. This idea of different stories and journeys instigated most of the movement, American sign language being used as part of the story telling’ (Deborah Saxon, 2009).
Related Content
