Watch film: opening performance clip for 32 Cryptograms

Watch film: Ashley Page on 32 Cryptograms.

32 Cryptograms opens with the male and female dancer (couple 1) downstage right (stage directions) in a still pose as the curtain rises in silence.

The first movement (a lift) is on the first count of the movement, a challenging cue for the dancers to execute because the music and choreography is of a fast pace and the preparation for the lift has to take place before the music begins for the correct timing to be obtained.

The male dancer is supporting the female dancer by holding one hand with the other around her armpit. From the stillness, the duet launches into a turning lift sequence that is repeated twice. The duet continues through dynamic fast-paced choreography that travels across the stage with the male dancer directing the female dancer with an arm movement to make a half turn as they complete the travelling sequence horizontally across the stage. As couple, 1 travel to downstage left, there is a musical pause where the female dancer is in attitude on demi-pointe supported by the male dancer. A second couple slowly enter the stage space, circling towards back centre stage as couple 1 travel laterally across the stage.

Throughout the piece, couples 1 and 2 are the antithesis of each other, demonstrating contrasting qualities.

The male dancer enters backwards and begins with his back to the audience. The female dancer is facing front. Note the positions they begin in and compare to the ending positions.

The pace and style of couple 2’s duet is much slower and more lyrical (adagio), a direct contrast to couple 1’s fast-paced travelling and jumps sequences (allegro).

The pathway couple 1 move from stage right to stage left, pause, stage left to stage right, pause, stage right to stage left, pause.

As couple 2 begin their duet, a quartet enters from downstage mirroring the diagonal pathway taken by couple 2 during their duet. A question and answer begins between couple 1 and the quartet.

Couple 2’s duet has counterbalance, beginning with the female dancer’s develope.

The quartet develops a more contemporary choreographic theme with the introduction of the torso tilt movement and the extended lunge on demi–pointe during their introductory sequence. The quartet travel in a diamond shape in a diagonal pathway across the stage moving in and out of unison.

What to identify

Contrast in timings and styles in different groups - adagio and allegro

Formations of duet and quartet

Diagonal and horizontal floor patterns

Syncopation and pauses in the music and choreography

Contrast of stillness and travelling

Motifs of attitude, rise and fall, degage (on floor and at 45 degrees and facing to the front and to the back)

Counterbalance in couple 2’s duet

Style-contemporary ballet