Examine the key choreographic developments of Richard Alston from 1966-1987.

The first 200 words of this essay...

Examine the key choreographic developments of Richard Alston from 1966-1987

Richard Alston (1948) started to study at Croydon College of arts in 1965 till 1967 studying fine arts and theatre design. His knowledge and interest in the artist and designer Robert Raushenberg encourages him to see Merce Cunningham Dance Company to perform. When visiting London he also saw Martha Graham Dance Company in 1967.

In 1967 he was inspired by dance and started to take ballet lessons and in 1967 went to London School of Contemporary Dance, as one of the first fall time students. From 1967 to 1970 he studied Graham's modern dance technique, ballet, tai chi, Cunningham technique and historical dance. Influences of historical dance are present in Pulcinella in the third scene when partner work is present. He also found that he was more in tune with Cunningham technique and the style of movement, this was also a time when the art world was undergoing a period of upheaval. Old conventions and modernism were challenged by new experimental forms, which favoured fragmenting the dance, juxtaposing ideas to make college of different meanings and engaging the intellect of spectators. Alston's interest in Cunningham links to