What is section 1 called?
Sword
What is a key moment within the aural setting?
The dance begins in silence and ends with the monks shout - juxtaposition
How does the contrast within aural setting emphasise the influences and intentions of the dance?
This juxtaposition reflects both the spiritual awakening Cherkaoui experienced when spending time in the Shaolin Temple and
Cherkaoui’s objective of challenging the audience’s preconceived perceptions of kung Fu, as perpetuated by Western Media.
What does the aural setting consist of?
- starts in silence
- violin/strings
- violin creates tension in its varying pace
- can hear monks in fight
- direct correlation between string movement and hand movement; violin begins when Larbi moves his finger
- boxes hitting rhe floor
What is the box design?
- singular metal box
- 20 wooden boxes
- 21 boxes in total
- all 20 wooden boxes begin in compact 4x5 formation/structure
- At boxes first movement they move row by row to their open side
- Larbi & Dong Dong move the last row of boxes
- Larbi moves the final box
- Boxes acted in cannon when moving
What is the set like?
- All grey staging
- The cyclorama lights up at certain points - they are higher up than stage level instead of being in the pit - there is a replica of Ding Dong
- Some sections musicians are fully on show
- Large wooden boxes
What props are there?
- Jianshuk sword
- Small boxes - stacked on a large metal box
- Wushu sword (sword with tassels)
- Gunshu wooden staff
What movement content is there?
- Idea of action and reaction
- Circular movements, swirling, mimics Larbi’s hand gestures
- Sets of chain reactions of other monks emerging (idea of collaboration and togetherness - separate to west)
- Larbi walks around boxes, DD goes over them
- Older monk mimics Larbi’s hand gestures
- Section ends with Larbi on the box
- Circular pathways
- Martial arts - this section is general kung fu
Explain One example of a movement phrase.
A singular warrior monk performs a series of strong agile movements, twisting his sword around his personal space and performing a sequence of lunges, twists and a balance.
Why was the aural setting directed to have moments of silence?
Broska wanted the aural setting to reflect the Monks ability to express energy in short bursts followed by pure stillness. Furthermore he wanted to reflect the discipline of the Monks faith, as they took intervals of silence throughout the day during meal times and prayer. Broska wanted to reflect both the stillness and the monks and their strong physicality.
How does the use of the sword reflect the history of martial arts?
In the sixth and seventh centuries the Temple’s large agricultural estates needed military defence - by the sixteenth century the Monks were renowned for their superior staff techniques.
What is the costume?
Stone grey wrap long sleeve top, matching grey trousers tucked into white socks, black plimsoles. Larbi wears same trousers, but with a suit jacket and a shirt. Monks costumes made of a very nasty polycotton.
