A LINHA CURVA
● Choreographer: Itzik Galili (also designed Costume and Lighting)
● Composer and live music: percussion (upstage) were by the band Percosa, a Holland based band with 4 percussion players.
● Company: Rambert dance company
● Date performed in Brazil: Performed by Balé da cidade de São Paulo, 2005
● Date performed in London: Tuesday 12th May 2009 at Sadler’s Wells
● Dance style: Samba, capoeira (non-contact martial arts form) & contemporary
● Duration: 23 minutes
● No. of dancers: 28 (large) – 15 males, 13 females
● Performance environment: End on stage
● Structure: Curved line, climax at the end & ensemble and narrative sections
● Sections: 7
● Choreographic approach: Collaboration with dancers (who made phrases of 2-3 counts of 8, which were then named after them) & set task to improvise a phrase within a square
● Choreographic intent: Having fun, explore male and female communication within Brazilian communities & a sense of samba parades
● Stimulus: Brazilian culture, celebration of Brazilian life & the title ‘A Linha Curva’ meaning the curved line in Portuguese
● Themes: Brazilian culture/celebrating Brazilian life, the title (curved line), having fun, men competing for and showing off to the women & sense of samba parades
● Mood & atmosphere: Happy, fun, unpredictable, lively, celebratory, carnival
No. & gender of dancers Movement Aural setting
- There is almost an equal number of dancers from - Shoulder Phrase (1st time): The dancers start on stage right, - Structure of the music communicates the title
both gender and each get their own sections facing stage left. Using a sharp, staccato dynamic to the beat of and stimulus of ‘The Curved Line’
such as Liris for the women and Showing Off for the music. They walk forward in parallel with legs in second, - It starts off on a fast tempo, high energy and
the men starting on the right leg, with their feet shunting rather than loud with lots of instruments, then drops to a
- Linking to the stimulus of Brazilian culture as it lifting off the ground. As they step forwards on one foot, they slower, more minimal section ‘Adage Septet’
shows Brazilian’s are inclusive to all. Such as in shrug the alternate shoulder, then with straight arms hit their before increasing the energy at the ending
carnivals, a sense of unison and equality right hand to the left. again and re-introducing fast samba beats with
between all. - Developed: The dancers are in two square formations, facing vocals creating a sense of climax
- The uniform look of the same shaped black vests the audience. The front group starts walking forwards and the
and shorts and coloured zips, adds to the feeling other two groups join the phrase using accumulation.
of equality in the ensemble sections as they are - Links to stimulus of Brazilian culture and choreographic intent
almost identical but still have some individuality. of a sense of samba parades, as like the dancers, people in
traditional Brazilian carnivals/parades move through the
streets in a linear way. The dancers repeat the same motif
, - Not gender specific as the costumes are almost because in a carnival people repeat the same moves for a
identical so links to the stimulus of Brazilian sense of unity as everyone on the street can see and join in.
culture as they see males and females as equals
- Whilst the 7 women are dancing in the adage, 5 - 2nd phrase – Robson: The dancers, in unison, make big circles - Throughout the piece: Rhythmic drumming is
men use skateboards with their arms by swinging both over the head, leaving the left used (drums, percussion, boom whackers,
- Links to male and female relationships and the arm holding the head and continuing the swing with the right bongos, congas)
intent of men competing for and showing off to arm over the body. Rapid, lively, strong dynamics. - Compliments the movements in this dance –
the women - They first do this facing stage left but develop it to face the gives the dancers the dynamic quality, energy
- The women are doing a serious and slow section, front. The second time is done with more people. and drive
but the skateboards are humorous and childlike, - Links to the stimulus of the title ‘A Linha Curva’ meaning a - Links to stimulus of Brazilian culture as these
linking to the intent of having fun curved line, as the dancers use rounded/circular movements are typically Brazilian instruments
with their arms. - The music is punchy, fast, repetitive and
- Contrasts with the sharp lines in the shoulder movement that syncopated creating a lively, celebratory
came before. mood/atmosphere and linking to the
choreographic intent of having fun
- Showing Off: 5 male dancers advancing forward - Showing Off: 5 male dancers advancing forward in a diagonal - Section 1: Loud vocals from the men, chanting
in a diagonal pathway from upstage left to pathway from upstage left to downstage right. The 2 men in ‘Tum Tarraka Tum’
downstage right. The 2 men in the back of the the back of the group jump high in a pike position. Performed - Quickly engage the audience and create rhythm
group jump high in a pike position. The 2 men in once in cannon and twice in unison. Their feet are pointed, legs and energy
the back of the group jump high in a pike are straight and in a diagonal in front of their body and their - Links to the choreographic intent of men
position. Performed once in cannon and twice in arms are horizontally straight. Dynamics are very sudden but competing for and showing off to the women
unison. Their feet are pointed, legs are straight become smooth when landing. - Links to having fun and creates a lively
and in a diagonal in front of their body and their - The movement shows the male dancers are very powerful as mood/atmosphere
arms are horizontally straight. Dynamics are very they start low to the ground and have the power to push
sudden but become smooth when landing. themselves high. This links to the choreographic intent of men
- The movement shows the male dancers are very competing for and showing off to the women. The group of
powerful as they start low to the ground and men are showing off their strength to the 1 woman but are
have the power to push themselves high. This scaring her off
links to the choreographic intent of men - Links to the choreographic intent of having fun as it’s a childish,
competing for and showing off to the women. playful move.
They are showing off their strength to the 1
woman but are scaring her off as they are
moving forward as a group whereas she is alone.
