In this assignment I will compare and contrast the choreographic works of Darrin Henson and Christopher Bruce, considering their backgrounds, the story line and the generation gap. I will compare and contrast these by using the D.V.D of Christopher Bruce's GHOST DANCES and Darrin Henson's choreography in the music video of NSYNC"S - BYE, BYE, BYE.
With the video of BYE, BYE, BYE I found it very easy to understand and read, the obviousness of the weakness in the woman trying to control made it easy to depict where the story was going to end up. Where as in GHOST DANCES the storyline had so many underlying issues that you had to read between the lines, there were countless possibilities to where the story may lead.
Darrin Henson is a self-taught dancer and choreographer who was born in the Bronx, New York. His main influence was Michael Jackson and began his dancing career at the young age of 15. Where as Christopher Bruce is a classically trained dancer who was born in Leicester, England. His main influences are composers, musicians and the love of their music. Christopher Bruce created Ghost Dances in response to a letter from the widow of Chilean folksinger and writer Victor Jara, who was murdered during the military coup that brought Augusto Pinochet to power. Performed by the Ballet Rambert and the Huston ballet company, to a selection of Jara's works and traditional folk music, this haunting ballet evokes the gaiety and courage of the South American people.
The 30 year or so, age gap is very noticeable by the dance works they have done, the experience and knowledge shown through Christopher Bruce's choreography seems to over power Darrin Henson's choreography. The classical verses the modern.
In contrast to 'BYE, BYE, BYE', which is set very much in the theatre and escape and evade aids, like running, trains, cars, etc. 'Ghost Dances' has several rocks on the set providing levels. These rocks are used by the Ghosts to stand on and hide behind.