Still Life at the Penguin Café

Still Life at the Penguin Café

1. Starting Points

   • Its music by Penguin Café
   • Doomsday Book of Animals by David Day
   • Common Themes: Endangered Aniamls
   • Key Theme: Endangered Animals

2. Music: Simon Jeffes

3. Designs: Hayden Griffin

4. Lighting: John B Read

5. Choreographer: David Bintley

6. Premiére: 9th March 1988, London

7. This piece consists of seven sections:

   • 1. The Great Auk
   • 2. Utah Longhorn Ram
   • 3. Texan Kangaroo Rat
   • 4. Humboldt's Hog-nosed Skunk Flea
   • 5. Southern Cape Zebra
   • Rain Forest People
   • Brazilian Woolly Monkey

8. Actions

   • Section 1a
     • Hops
     • Gallop
     • Springs
     • Turns
     • Flexed Feet
     • Travelling Actions
   • Section 2
     • Leaps
     • Scissor Kicks
     • Isolation of Body Parts
     • hops
   • Section 3
     • Travelling
     • Turning
     • Low Level Movement with Transfers of Weight
     • Slapping
     • Swinging ArmsGesture
     • Kicking Leg Gestures
     • Scratching Arm Gestures
   • Section 1b
     • Ballroom hold
     • Kicks
     • Backbends

9. Dynamics

   • Section 1a
     • Skimming
     • Buoyant
     • Cheerful
   • Section3
     • Light
     • Relaxed
     • Fasted Paced
     • Fluid
     • Continuous
     • Bouncy
   • Section 2
     • Fluid
     • Smooth
     • Graceful
     • Bouncy
   • Section 1b
     • Gliding
     • Graceful
     • Elegant
     • Light

10. Relationships

    • Section 1a
      • Interweaving
      • Solo
      • Unison
      • Canon
    • Section 1b
      • Couples
      • Group unison
      • Leading and Following
    • Section 2
      • Duo with Changing Partner
      • Quartet and Duo
      • Quintet with a Solo
    • Section 3
      • Solo

11. Space

    • Section 1a
      • Personal Space
      • Curved Floor Patterns
      • Angular Body Design
    • Section 1b
      • Symmetry
      • Large Movement
      • Close Proximity to Partner
    • Section 2
      • Linear
      • Curved Pathways
      • Someone Always Close to the Ram
    • Section 3
      • Contrast with Centre Stage
      • Circular
      • Zig Zag Pathway

12. Set Design

    • Section 1
      • Black Background
        • Centrally placed narrow screen
          • Painted with snow covered mountains
            • Ice peaks
            • Bright Blue Sea
          • Provides entrance for two other penguins - come from behind it
      • Natural Habitat: Polar Environment
      • The set and costume design both portray a penguin
      • The tables and chairs are used by dancers as they become audience along with us
    • Section 3
      • Backdrop covers width of the stage
        • Not the full height though
        • Vivid Green Cactus
          • Long Sharp Pines
          • Big to show the Rat is small
        • Yellow and Darker than the green
          • Sand
            • Hinting at the Arid Landscape
              • Desert
                • Habitat

13. Costume

    • Section 1a
      • White Shirt
      • Bow Tie
      • Black Tail Coat
      • Waist Coat
      • Close Fitting Trousers
        • Black Gloves
          • Yellow Ankle Spats - conceal the ends of the lower leg
        • Black Footwear
          • Mask which covers dancers entire and conceals the neck area
      • Formal Attire of a Waiter
    • Section 1b
      • Men
        • White Bow Tie and Shirt
        • Formal, Black Suit and Waistcoat
        • Black Shoes
        • Groomed Hair
      • Women
        • Long, brightly coloured, silk dress
          • 1930's feel
          • Yellow, Blue or Green
          • Front is decorated with bold, darker colours in abstract shapes
            • Suggesting
              • Butterflies
              • Insects
        • Silver Heeled Shoes
        • Long Hair
    • Section 3
      • Dungarees
        • Dark Blue
          • Baggy
        • Silver Buttons
      • Pale, flesh coloured shoes
      • Grey Top
        • Tie-Dye
      • Realistic Head Mask
      • Washed out
        • Dirty

14. Lighting

    • Section 1a
      • 3 White Spotlights
        • On dancers
        • Enhances Polar Environment
    • Section 1b
      • Warm Colours
        • Yellow, Orange and Green
          • From Above
      • Creates a clam and sophisticated atmosphere
        • Demonstrating the palm court house style in the café
    • Section 3
      • Green and yellow dappled effect on the floor
        • Enhances the desert environment

15. Props

    • Section 1a
      • Three trays with champagne glasses on
        • Portrays the role of a waitor
    • Section 1b
      • Three trays with champagne glasses on
        • Conveys the role of a waitor
    • Section 3
      • No prop is used in this section

16. Accompaniment

    • Section 3
      • Begins - three quiet ascending chords
        • And instruments = joyful galloping rhythm
          • American Folk
      • Dancer adds to percussion
        • Increases energy
      • Drums = Low movement
      • Sets mood
        • Contrast - Music speeds up
          • Along with movements
        • Strong chords
          • Add to itchiness
    • Section 1
      • Light, hearted and chirpy tune
        • Two layers - String and Woodwind
        • Creates cafe environment
          • Climax - build in strings
            • Reflects the promenade dance and couples performance
    • Section 2
      • Gentle tone and sets scene as mood changes
        • Introduction of plucked string and addition of percussion
          • adds more colour as the choreography becomes more lively
      • Builds pitch for climax
        • Music gives structure and pulse