Dramatic Dance

Darren Royston is a Dance and Movement Tutor and Choreographer at RADA, and the Artistic Director and Choreographer for Nonsuch History and Dance. He is council member of many professional organizations including The Laban Guild for Movement and Dance, The European Association of Dance Historians, DANCE UK Choreographers’ Forum and the Early Dance Circle (UK) and a member of UNESCO International Council for Dance.

Introduction
Alternative Approaches: Making Dance Dramatic
Chapter One
Ancient Ideas: Dionysian Orchestration
Chapter Two
Medieval Realms: Feudal Formations
Video samples: [1] French Basse Danse: La Dame; [2] Royal Estampie: La Quinte Estampie Real
Chapter Three
Italian Balls: Renaissance Rhythms
Video samples: [3] Italian Bassadanza for 2: Alexandresca; [4] Italian Bassadanza for 3: Pellegrina; [5] Italian Ballo for 2: Rostibolly Gioioso; [6] Italian Ballo for 4: Anello
Chapter Four
Shaking with Shakespeare: Court and Country
Video samples: [7] New Almaine; [8] La Volta; [9] Italian Balletto: Torneo Amoroso; [10] Washerwomen’s Branle; [11] Country Dance for 2 couples: Rufty Tufty; [12] Country Dance for 3 couples: Shepherds’ Holiday; [13] Country Dance for 3 couples: Picking of Sticks
Chapter Five
Baroque Around the Clock: Mincing by the Minuet
Video Samples: [14] The Ballroom Minuet; [15] Bourrée
Chapter Six
Nineteenth Century Coupling: Partners Please
Video samples; [16] Allemanding; [17] Mazurka; [18] Polka
Chapter Seven
Twentieth Century Foxtrots: Crazy Dances and Dance Crazes
Video sample: [19] Charleston
Conclusion
Taking Leave: The Final Bow