Theatrical Techniques In Aszure Barton

In Aszure Barton, the performers beautifully conveyed stories through music, lighting, costumes, props, scenery, and choreography. “‘Tarantella’ from August Bournonville’s Napoli”, “Consumed”, and “Closer to Closure” particular stuck out during the duration of the concert. The movements held the audience’s attention as they followed the suspenseful and striking storylines. In “‘Tarantella’ from August Bournonville’s Napoli” the graceful movements of the dancers portrayed the story of people courting their lovers. The dancers extended their legs with pointed toes, progressing with every step; they landed in fast, fluid motions. The partners engaged in old fashioned partner dances, circling around each other. Their facial expressions of love
They were tight on top, but near the waist, they flared out into a bulbous skirt with tulle in pink and yellow layers. The rest of the dress was mostly white. The men wore black tights, white socks, and loose white peasant shirts with dark green and blue colored vests. On the side of the stage were tables and chairs that the dancers sat on while they weren’t dancing. This detracted from the dance by distracting the audience from the main dancers in the center. The costumes added to the story by placing the dancers in the past, showing that they were commoners in love, and relating to the choreography by being short enough to see the
The movements consisted of several leg and arm extensions that seemed to be reaching out for help. Throughout the piece, the dancers would slap their hands against their thighs in unison, a sign of frustration. The men also dragged the women across the floor. During one part of the piece, the main dancer leapt across the stage collapsing, unable to move on her own, needing a male dancer’s help. The movements were sharp and forced, but quick. The facial expressions contained frustration and hopelessness, which were seen in their eyes and in the tension of the dancer’s faces. The lighting was a dark blue overall stage light with a white spotlight on the main dancer. The backdrop was, again, an azure blue. The overall stage light contributed to the melancholy mood, especially portraying the feelings of struggle that almost consumed the dancers. The women were in loose violet dresses that had sweetheart necklines with thick straps, ending a few inches above the ankles, with violet leggings underneath. The men wore tight purple pants with tight vest-like bluish purple shirts. All the dancers were barefoot. The costuming added to the piece because with every forced movement, the women’s dresses would get pulled along with them, intensifying the struggle-filled