Dramatic Dance

Dance is part of the art of theatre, a part which connects to movement, to communication, to improvisation, and to performance. It cannot exist on its own in the context of dramatic performance, but works in conjunction with other elements to enable meanings to be created in performance.
Dramatic Dance sets a programme for actors to perform dance as part of the drama, offering several approaches which can contribute to developing this understanding, to training this skill, and always ensuring that the whole active and thinking body and mind are fully engaged with the task of making dance an integral and vital part of theatre. To study dance in this way allows students to develop further their understanding of logic and structure in a dramatic text.
Many books deal with one aspect of dance or another: some on dance training, some on dance history, some on Rudolf Laban's ideas, some as dance manuals, and some as academic papers. Dramatic Dance is the first book to act as a comprehensive guide for theatre practice, bringing together these different, complementary disciplines.

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 organisations 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