Ignatius Sancho and Dance
This section of our project offers studies and reconstructions by historical dance specialists seeking to understand how the dance figures included in Sancho’s publications of instrumental dance music would have been performed during his lifetime, and how European and British dance forms relate to traditions of African and Caribbean dance of the time.
Representational Purpose: The choreography displayed in this video does not aim to replicate the original compositions or choreographies of either dance tradition in their authentic contexts. Instead, it showcases variations of steps from both the European and Caribbean traditions, structured side by side for analytical purposes.
Structural Consistency for Analysis: By aligning both dance forms within the same structural framework, our objective is not to suggest that they were historically performed in this manner. Rather, this approach is adopted to facilitate a clearer understanding of the similarities and differences in the steps themselves, making the comparative analysis more accessible.
Academic Intent: The essence of this project is to engage in a scholarly exploration of dance, highlighting the distinct characteristics of each form. This side-by-side presentation is designed to provide viewers with a visual tool to better appreciate the nuances that define and differentiate these rich dance traditions.
We hope this note clarifies the intent and methodological considerations of our comparative dance study. Click on the links below for videos and explanatory essays:
Curated by Caroline Copeland and Kieron Sargeant:
Curated by Sally-Ann Petchey: