Penguin Cafe 1988

Penguin Cafe 1988

1. People Involved

   • Choreographer: David Bintley
   • Dancers: Birmingham Royal Ballet
   • Accompaniment: The Penguin Cafe Orchestra by Simon Jeffes
   • Designer: Hayden Griffiths
   • Lighting: John B Read
   • Video Directors: Keith Beckett & David Bintley
   • Narration: Jeremy Irons

2. Ideas

   • The Doomsday Book of Animals by David Day
   • The Penguin Cafe Orchestral Music - unique
   • The Penguin Cafe Album Art designed by Emily Young - influenced hybrid costumes
   • Animal Extinction - Direct/Indirect human fault.

3. Accompaniment

   • Each piece evokes imagery of the animals in their natural habitat (cultural aspects).
   • 8 pieces of music played by The Penguin Cafe Orchestra conducted by Simon Jeffes.
   • Eclectic in range; variety of moods, tempos and cultures.
   • Unique, orchestral sound. Violins, pianos, wind isntruments

4. Structure

   • Episodic Structure
   • Each section is dedicated to an endangered species of animal.

5. Set Design

   • Bare proscenium stage space
   • Series of everchanging backdrops which locate the dancers geographically.
   • bizarre, hallucinatory style like the album covers.

6. Section 1 - The Great Auk

   • Dance Style/Actions: Gallops, hops, flapping arms. Idiosyncratic gestures (turn out, flat footed). 'Waddle of Auks' establishes them as lively, endearing creatures. Direct Correlation
   • Dynamics: Buoyant but remain elegant, humorous. Interprets the natural movement of the Great Auk.
   • Accompaniment: 'Air A Danser' Light and Bouncy, consists of flutes and oboes. Chirpy tune - violins, cellos, pianos.
   • Design and Lighting: Realistic snow covered Antarctic mountain (natural habitat). Juxtaposed with the costumes. Colours darken with a gobo spotlight as they are the only animal extinct (warning).
   • Space and Relationships: between 3 penguins establishes fun-loving social nature of the Auk - similar to mankind. Auk takes the roll of compere using curving floor patterns.
   • Costume: Hybrid costumes bond between auk and man. Carries a tray and white shirt, bow tie, long tail jacket, penguin mask/hat.