Pre-Classical Court Dancing

Origin

Over many centuries dance had developed to a point where it was being used as a form of entertainment. In the middle ages, peasant dances eventually became so popular among nobility that they developed their own, more classical court dancing, and it is classical court dancing that lead directly to ballet. The similarities can be seen in the use of geometric shaping as well as in the principles of ballet still used todays ballet.

Cultural and social background

The middle ages were considered to be a dark time because western Europe was overrun by barbarians and much of the culture and wealth of classical civilization was lost, as well as because the nobility were greedy and the king often wasted money on wars. Court dancing began among the peasants but the style was very wild and free. When the nobility created their version it was done with more class, poise and style. Movements were quite limited as at that time, especially nobility, wore big dresses with corsets and endless layers of clothing, not forgetting the enormous hair pieces they were expected to wear.

The History of ballet

Time line

Court Dancing

(14th century)

King Louis XIV

Opened first ballet school

(1661)

Pre-Romantic period

(Early 1800s)

She got her teachers diploma at U.C.T, where she studied under some of south africas greatest teachers, including Frank Staff who she later married. She performed as a principle dancer at CAPAB, PACT and PACOFS. Her first choreography was called John the Baptist in 1972and became a resident choreographer for CAPAB in 1974 and has added over 40 ballets to the companies repertoire. Her choreographies are often a fusion of many art forms and diverse themes. She is considered to be one of the forerunners of Modern Classical Ballet in South Africa as she is inspired by her dancers personalities and interprets them in their