Week 3 – Key Practitioner Lesson One – ‘In Countenance of Kings’ by Justin Peck

Justin Peck

‘In countenance of kings’

We watched ‘In Countenance of Kings’ and made notes based on questions on observations made throughout.

Thoughts and feelings towards the piece

I thought the piece was really interesting due to the shapes and pathways used such as circles which gave quite a mechanical feel, like cogs turning. The way the dancers change from being in groups to duets and solos make it seem quite chaotic but it is also neat and well-rehearsed, like an organised mess. Also, the fact that the dancers were doing classical dancing in trainers rather than ballet shoes or pointe shoes gave the piece a more modern day feel. I enjoyed the fact that it kept me on the edge of my seat as I was never sure what would happen next and particularly liked when suspense built as the dance never pauses making it seem busy and when the dancers repeated the same movements several times at the end with more dancers joining in each time. The camera angle really intensifies the piece as it helps portray the different shapes and pathways used, emotions and relationships within the piece.

Is there a story/narrative?

The piece gives a narrative of freedom as the dancer lets her hair down and dances in trainers, breaking stereotypes and giving the idea of normality. The dance also starts in a studio with the girl looking at her reflection in the mirror which could imply she is reflecting on her day/life, or maybe reflecting on her dance career as a classical dancer, she may be trying to break away from the stereotypes of a classical dancer by dancing in trainers and letting her hair down. Another interpretation could be she was day dreaming as she starts and ends in the same position on the floor and the dance going on could be part of her dream.

What movements do you recognise?

I recognised classical movements such as arabesques, jumps, turns.

How do the dancers work together?

The dancers work in large groups, duets and solos. There are different soloists so it isn’t the same one person. They also work in unison and canon showing different formations and shapes depending on how many dancers there are such as circles, lines and other geometric patterns.

Can you see any choreographic devices used in the work?

I noticed unison, canon, accumulation, inversion and repetition.

Choreographic process

As part of Peck’s choreography, he says that he ‘listens to the music hundreds of times’ to help him pick out small detail in the score for movements. He also sketches and draws patterns and shapes to use as formations and geometric pathways. He says he prefers to work with large groups of dancers because there is ‘more possibility’ and the movement he creates is due to how he feels in the moment making his choreography very personal to him. He likes to choreography to the music first and then add lighting and costume last and says he uses the body as an instrument when choreographing.