Passage for Par

Lead Author:

Rosemary Lee

Co-Author(s):

Date:

2018

Unit of Assessment

33: Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Film and Screen Studies

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Output Category:

I - Performance

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Passage for Par (performance documentation)

This video was shot from a drone and from the beach during dress rehearsal. Though it does not always reflect the audience’s view and perspective it does document the context, pace and quality of the performance.

Summary Statement (300 words)

Passage for Par is a site-specific, durational performance research project, examining the relationship between a female ensemble, a changing coastal environment and the viewer and created in response to and for Par Sands beach, Cornwall. It was realised by an international all women team directed by Rosemary Lee, including 30 female performers ranging in age from 19-65. The three two-hour performances at dusk, twilight and early morning took place at the turn of the low tide over the summer solstice.

The project developed strands of Lee’s on-going explorations:  reconceptualising the performance/audience relationship through durational outdoor work (e.g. Calling Tree, 2016), and working with ensembles of women that began with Square Dances (2011). Revisiting the simplicity of Melt Down (2012) Lee aimed to develop a minimal movement vocabulary and non-theatrical structure, drawing direct inspiration from Breton (and Cornish) traditional steps and practice (notably seen at traditional dance festivals in, Brittany), and the movement of marine organisms (e.g. sea centipedes). The project investigated how to move together as one whilst navigating the ever-changing tide, light, weather and footing. The team worked collaboratively to develop systems for the practice, including a two-hour geographical score, vocal cuing schemes, and sophisticated ways of working as a unified ensemble, generating new understandings that examined the nature of collaborative practice, relationship to landscape and female solidarity.

The research aimed to:

Works cited:

 

Contextual Information

Production Credits:
Production Commissions and funding:

Passage for Par was commissioned by CAST for Groundwork and produced in partnership with Dance Republic 2 and Artsadmin, with support from Falmouth University’s Academy of Music and Theatre Arts (AMATA) and including eight selected students from the BA Hons Dance and Choreography course.

Supported through Arts Council England’s Ambition for Excellence scheme, Groundwork is organised in partnership with Kestle Barton, Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange and Tate St Ives. Support from Arts Council England is matched by support from the Freelands Foundation, Ampersand Foundation, Mondriaan Fund, Quercus Trust, Outset Contemporary Art Fund, and Cornwall Council.

Performances:
Related publication:

Lee, R. Pethybridge, R. (2020) “Dancing Through the Hard Stuff.”  The Routledge Companion to Dance Studies. Download PDF. This chapter reflects on the relationship between the women themselves, their connection to the landscape and the work. It includes their own voices as well as those of both authors.

Photo Gallery:

Seven images of twilight performances and rehearsals, illustrating the research with the women, and the ever changing conditions of the site.

 

Supporting documents:

Passage for Par Programme.pdf. This programme illustrates how the audiences were prepared for the event by giving them contextual information.

Passage for Par Score First Half.pdf and Passage for Par Score Second Half.pdf. The simple visual score (in two halfs), displayed in the rehearsal room for the cast to refer to, illustrates the spatial relationship of the dance to the site.

Passage for Par Final Written Score.pdf. The final written score of Passage for Par describes the work and the verbal cues given to the dancers to help them memorise the work.

Passage for Par Quotes.pdf. A selection of quotes from audience members, critic and performers, reflects the work’s affect on them.

Project website: artsadmin.co.uk/project/passage-for-par

Notes:

Lee researched for two years, with a small group of dancers on two occasions, with workshops with Falmouth BA students on site and alone. Passage for Par was then created with the selected international and local cast over an intensive weekend then two weeks in residence leading up to the performances.

Header image credit:

Passage for Par. Choreography: Rosemary Lee; Photograph: © 2018 Steve Tanner