Saturday and Promises
In a développé, it is
not only the lovely fluidity of the movement that makes it fascinating to
watch. It is also the set up. That’s right, the expectation that the
dancer places in the audience’s mind from the moment the foot leaves the floor. Does this sound contrived? Well, I suppose it is. But then, dance is a theatrical event, after
all.
To wow the audience here is the secret: As the leg moves past passé, the knee lifts –
and it is this position of the knee that develops (no pun intended) the expectation. The higher the knee – hopefully - the higher
the dancer's extension will be. It is very disappointing to see a knee drop as
the leg extends.
Therefore, the placement of the knee should never be higher
than the dancer’s extension can accommodate.
This placement of the knee makes a promise to the audience: a high, beautiful extension is about to
happen.
From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:
Secret #11b:
“In any développé, the height of the knee as
the leg leaves passé makes a promise to the audience.”
Link of the Day:
Quote
of the Day:
“People with good intentions make
promises. People with good character
keep them.”
-
Unknown
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