Shadows: meaning

Here is a summary of Shadows’s meaning:

Theme of the Piece

Shadows is rooted in the story of a family living under the threat of war.
The dance piece is an exploration of how family dynamics, relationships and emotion are affected by such grave uncertainty.

Interpretation

Throughout, the choreographer intends to convey a sense of apprehension and fear through movement, raising empathy from the audience.
The family’s strength and love are core values tested against the looming terror of war, which creates a powerful emotional undercurrent.

Motif and Symbolism

A recurring motif in Shadows is the idea of ‘shadows’ which can symbolise fear of the unknown, memory and past.

Themes and Relationships

The dance plays with themes around the influence of external phenomena on internal family dynamics.
The role of each family member and how it changes under pressure is a critical part of the understanding of this piece.

Metaphorical Interpretation

Whilst Shadows can be interpreted literally as a story of a family during war, it also opens up discussions on broader themes such as human condition in the face of adversity, strength of human bonds etc.

Remember, Shadows stands as a narrative piece at the interface of personal and societal struggles. Its meaning is derived from the tension it creates between individual characters and the overarching threat of war.