1980’s – Politics and Passion
The 1980’s began with the radical performance of Danced Eucharist, and response to the sudden death of Shona’s sister, Jocelyn. Following quickly in 1981, New Zealand was pulled apart by the Springbok Tour.
Danced Eucharist (1980)
In St Paul’s Cathedral, this complete service of worship was dedicated to Shona’s sister Jocelyn:
The shock of her death, allied to the beauty and spirituality of this unusual communion service in an overflowing cathedral, made this occasion one of the most moving in my life.
Dunlop MacTavish, Leap of Faith, pg222
“…I can truthfully say that I do not recall ever having a congregation so rapt in the whole celebration…the beauty, the sincerity, the reverence, and the dignity of the choreography, the appropriateness of the music, and above all the total integration of the dance, liturgical word and action, that made the service such a magnificent act of worship, in which all present were caught up in a relationship that transcends time and space…”
Bishop Peter Mann, Leap of Faith, pg222
Bars (1983)
Bars was commissioned by Amnesty International for Prisoners of Conscience, with music composed by Chris Cree Brown – in part from African women’s chants recorded by Shona. This dance opened with the sombre reading of Prisoners’ biographies by Louise and Walter Bloomfield. Dramatic lighting of bars fell across the faces of the prisoners of conscience, and their wild desperate dancing is contrasted with the patience and dignity of the women who wait.
Jeptha’s Daughter (1984)
Jeptha’s Daughter is the first of three solos choreographed for Bronwyn Judge: telling the Bible story of the loving daughter sacrificed by her warrior father to fulfil the oath he made for victory. The music was composed by Bernstein (plus tambourine, performed by Judge during the dance).
Transfigured Night (1986)
Transfigured Night is the second solo choreographed for Judge, with music by Schonberg: Based on the titular poem by Richard Dehmel, a story of grief and redemption. A girl must tell the man she loves that the child she carries is not his.
This work is recreated by Judge on Heather Hubber, for the launch of Toitu Museum’s Exhibition Shona Dunlop MacTavish: Dance!
Between Two Fires (1988)
Between Two Fires was inspired by the talented but doomed Bronte family, after a visit to Haworth in Yorkshire. This was performed in the Carnegie Centre (former) Art Gallery.
