Evaluation of ‘Les Noces’

As part of our jump work we were showed a DVD of Les Noces. We learnt that it was devised at the beginning of the ordinal century, around the year 1923, by a Russian choreographer named Bronislava Nijinoka. Les noces is famous for being cardinal of the first contemporary b all(prenominal)ets per make on the stage. It is accreditn as a neo- classical ballet and is installd on narrative allusions. It has a strong rhythmical emphasis and includes the use of point work.Les noces is a very strong, mad leaping and develops a large impact. It is very compulsive and after watching the first scene you cannot service of process but to watch on. It has a large narrative content which gives it a desirable back bone. Les noces consists of quartet scenes which portray a Russian wedding. The scenes are the consecration of the bride, the consecration of the bride groom, The departure of the bride and The wedding feast.The choreographic techniques in Les noces are vigorous aspect out for the feeling and mood of the dance. The choreographer has used male and female dancers in a neo-classical dance that tell aparts a story effectively. The choreographer has used symmetrical and linear shapes and lines as well as levels, this makes the dance more than than aesthetically pleasing and adds indefinitely to the depth and feeling contained within it. From the position and height of dancers contained within the dance we can get a feeling of what is happening and who is more important etc. We can besides learn a lot from how the dancers travel. Les noces includes a very artistic style of jumps and travelling movements.In all the scenes contained within the dance there are different numbers of male and female dancers. To help fabricate mood in the dance the choreographer has used a very percussive form of point work. He had used the method of dancing in point shoes into something that creates a meaningful sound. To help base the dance into a society and culture the choreo grapher has included a large amount of Russian crime syndicate dancing. The use of ballet in Les Noces is more isolated and stiffer than conventional ballet of the early twentieth century. It is more earthy and grounded and less floaty.The design in Les noces is relatively simple. The designer Natalia Gontcharova has used basic costumes and there is barely one go by. In the first scene the dancers just enter onto a plain stage. in that location is no backdrop etc, the dancers wear simple costumes, such as brown dresses and white shirts with all the women wearing orient coverings. This is credibly because we are meant to view these dancers as being peasants. The head coverings are also a ghostly symbol. The dancers arent wearing masks or any obvious make up. The only main prop used in the dance is a wig consisting of long plaits used in the scene Departure of the bride. This is used to evidence the passage from childhood to womanhood as the plaits are consequentially cut off . The one and only set is used in the farthermost scene The wedding feast, It basically consists of a wall with a room access in it and a few stools. This set is used as it gives a way of showing the togetherness and connection of the bride and bridegroom as they leave through the door together. This also presents a way of ending the dance.There is no spoken words or phrases in Les noces. All the sound included in it is formed by the orchestra or the afore mentioned use of percussive point work. The harmonyians are based off stage. The orchestra provides live music and so therefore it isnt recorded. The volume of the music in Les Noces often indicates mood or feeling. For example, in the last scene The wedding feast, the sound becomes significantly louder and attend toms more joyous. Les Noces is performed on a proscenium arch stage. This is probably because the choreography in the dance wouldnt lend itself to being performed in the round or anywhere come in specific.In this dan ce there is good communication with the audience. The names of the scenes and there contents all tell a story. This is helped by the mood created by the music and the facial expressions of the dancers. Because Les Noces is based on a down-to-earth event many people may feel that they can relate to it. It may also create some interest and intrigue as it portrays a Russian marriage. In the early part of the twentieth century there wasnt the same cultural understanding between nations that there is know. Many people would know nothing of Russian culture.I definitely felt on a personal level that I could understand what the dance was trying to communicate to me. The feelings of change, love and moving into the unknown. The dance was definitely very compelling.I thought that the way that some of the characters swore oaths was very mysterious. I also liked the way that Les Noces included everyday things and movements such as cuddling. I think that Les noces is a very interesting dance an d I can see how it could have been a very radical piece of choreography for its day. It is a good example in how dance has changed throughout the ages. I am sure that Les noces is an important piece of dance history. I thoroughly enjoyed watching it being performed.