Dance Critics and Historians: Explore the World of Dance Analysis

Question 1

How does dance criticism contribute to the evolution of dance practices?

Accepted Answer

It provides constructive feedback and analysis, challenging traditional approaches and fostering artistic innovation.

Answer

It has minimal influence, as dance mainly advances through experimentation by dancers and choreographers.

Answer

It directly inspires choreographers, offering ideas for novel dance forms and movements.

Question 2

What is the core function of a dance critic?

Accepted Answer

Evaluate and critique dance performances

Answer

Offer historical background on dance works

Answer

Provide training methodologies for dancers

Answer

Promote opportunities for dance education

Question 3

Who is widely regarded as the pioneer of British dance criticism?

Accepted Answer

Arnold Haskell

Answer

Clive Barnes

Answer

Edwin Denby

Answer

Clement Crisp

Question 4

What is the primary purpose of a dance critic?

Accepted Answer

To offer critical analysis and evaluation

Answer

To promote and endorse dance performances

Answer

To document and preserve dance history

Answer

To educate the public about dance

Question 5

Which ethical consideration is NOT essential for dance critics and historians to adhere to?

Accepted Answer

Prioritizing personal relationships over critical evaluation

Answer

Respecting the artistic vision of choreographers

Answer

Maintaining impartiality and avoiding conflicts of interest

Answer

Using respectful and appropriate language in their analysis

Question 6

Which theoretical approach emphasizes analyzing dance in its social and cultural contexts?

Accepted Answer

Marxist

Answer

Formalist

Answer

Structuralist

Answer

Postmodernist

Question 7

Who is credited with being the first British dance critic?

Accepted Answer

Cyril Beaumont

Answer

Arnold Haskell

Answer

Clive Barnes

Answer

John Percival

Question 8

Which dance historian's work has focused on the social and cultural context of dance?

Accepted Answer

Susan Leigh Foster

Answer

Judith Mackrell

Answer

Jennifer Homans

Answer

Marina van Zuylen

Question 9

Arnold Haskell was known for his writings on which form of dance?

Accepted Answer

Ballet

Answer

Modern dance

Answer

Folk dance

Answer

Tap dance

Question 10

Which dance historian is an authority on the history of American dance?

Accepted Answer

Lynn Garafola

Answer

Jane Pritchard

Answer

David Vaughan

Answer

Marina van Zuylen

Question 11

Which of the following is an inherent characteristic of dance criticism?

Accepted Answer

Subjectivity

Answer

Objectivity

Answer

Bias

Answer

Emotional detachment

Question 12

What are some of the challenges faced by dance critics and historians in their work?

Accepted Answer

A and B

Answer

Lack of access to performances

Answer

Subjectivity and bias

Answer

Insufficient funding

Question 13

Which seminal work by Arnold Haskell laid the groundwork for British dance criticism?

Accepted Answer

A Ballet Reader

Answer

Ballets Russes

Answer

Ballet Russe

Answer

Diaghilev's Ballets Russes

Question 14

Which of the following ballet companies did Cyril Beaumont NOT document extensively?

Accepted Answer

American Ballet Theatre

Answer

The Royal Ballet

Answer

Birmingham Royal Ballet

Answer

Paris Opera Ballet

Question 15

Whose pioneering work in dance notation significantly contributed to its preservation and analysis?

Accepted Answer

Rudolf von Laban

Answer

Cecil Sharp

Answer

Marie Rambert

Answer

Ninette de Valois

Question 16

What is the central focus of Peter Brinson's influential book, 'The Choreographic Mind'?

Accepted Answer

Analyzing the creative processes of choreographers.

Answer

Providing a chronological overview of British dance.

Answer

Critiquing the works of contemporary dance companies.

Answer

Exploring dance's relationship with other art forms.

Question 17

Which dance critic was renowned for their sharp wit and often controversial reviews?

Accepted Answer

Clive Barnes

Answer

Arnold Haskell

Answer

Anna Pavlova

Answer

Isadora Duncan

Question 18

Which dance historian specialized in documenting traditional and social dance forms?

Accepted Answer

Cecil Sharp

Answer

Rudolf von Laban

Answer

Marie Rambert

Answer

Ninette de Valois

Question 19

Dance historians have ethical responsibilities to ensure their interpretations and research are accurate, inclusive, and respectful. Explain how historians can maintain these ethical responsibilities.

Accepted Answer

Engage with artists, communities, and experts to gather feedback and ensure inclusivity.

Answer

Rely solely on personal experiences and preferences.

Answer

Prioritize accuracy, even if it means excluding certain viewpoints.

Answer

Avoid controversial or sensitive topics to prevent criticism.

Question 20

How do dance critics and historians shape the recognition and preservation of British dance forms and styles?

Accepted Answer

By documenting and analyzing dance performances, offering informed opinions, and influencing the perception of dance.

Answer

By setting rigid standards for dance quality and enforcing them.

Answer

By providing financial support to dance companies and organizations.

Answer

By teaching dance classes and workshops.

Question 21

How has social media transformed the accessibility, reach, and influence of dance criticism?

Accepted Answer

Social media expands the audience for dance critics, diversifying perspectives and making criticism more accessible.

Answer

Social media primarily facilitates connections among dance critics, limiting its impact on the broader audience.

Answer

Social media compromises journalistic ethics and standards in dance criticism.

Answer

Social media has had minimal impact on the accessibility, reach, or influence of dance criticism.

Question 22

Which renowned British dance critic and historian authored 'The Dance Encyclopedia'?

Accepted Answer

Arnold Haskell

Answer

Clive Barnes

Answer

Martha Graham

Answer

Rudolf Laban

Question 23

Which aspect is NOT considered a core element of dance criticism?

Accepted Answer

Forecasting future trends

Answer

Analysis of movement and performance

Answer

Evaluation of artistic merit

Answer

Historical documentation and preservation

Question 24

Which dance critic and historian was a vocal advocate for modern dance in Britain?

Accepted Answer

Edwin Denby

Answer

John Martin

Answer

Clive Barnes

Answer

Anna Kisselgoff

Question 25

Which British dance critic is widely acknowledged for his profound insights into ballet and the development of British dance through his influential writings?

Accepted Answer

Arnold Haskell

Answer

Clive Barnes

Answer

John Martin

Answer

Edwin Denby

Question 26

A distinctive characteristic of Clive Barnes' critical writing style is his:

Accepted Answer

Witty and often controversial observations

Answer

Technical precision and analytical depth

Answer

Emphasis on the social and cultural context of dance

Answer

Lyrical and evocative descriptions

Question 27

Which historian's research has explored the complex relationship between dance and gender?

Accepted Answer

Susan Leigh Foster

Answer

Gay Morris

Answer

Julia Levy

Answer

Marcia Siegel

Question 28

Who is regarded as the pioneer of British ballet criticism?

Accepted Answer

Arnold Haskell

Answer

Clive Barnes

Answer

Ninette de Valois

Answer

Clement Crisp

Question 29

Which of the following is not considered a crucial aspect of dance criticism?

Accepted Answer

Astrological predictions

Answer

Technical analysis

Answer

Artistic interpretation

Answer

Historical context

Question 30

What is the primary objective of dance historiography?

Accepted Answer

To document and analyze the history of dance

Answer

To promote specific dance genres

Answer

To entertain readers with dance-related anecdotes

Answer

To establish a definitive ranking of dancers

Question 31

How did Arnold Haskell's writings influence the development of British dance?

Accepted Answer

He fostered a greater appreciation and understanding of modern dance

Answer

He promoted ballet as the only legitimate form of dance

Answer

He established a standardized system of dance education

Answer

He documented the history and traditions of British folk dance

Question 32

How have dance critics and historians influenced the development of dance education and training programs in Britain?

Accepted Answer

By shaping dance curricula and teaching methods

Answer

By providing a historical perspective on dance techniques

Answer

By establishing standardized assessment criteria for dance examinations

Answer

By providing financial support for aspiring dance teachers

Question 33

Which British dance critic and historian is known for their seminal book 'Ballet'?

Accepted Answer

Arnold Haskell

Answer

Clive Barnes

Answer

John Martin

Answer

Edwin Denby

Question 34

Who is credited with establishing the first professional dance ensemble in Britain?

Accepted Answer

Ninette de Valois

Answer

Marie Rambert

Answer

Cecil Sharp

Answer

Peter Darrell

Question 35

Which dance historian played a pivotal role in preserving and reconstructing historical dance forms?

Accepted Answer

Joan Wildeblood

Answer

Ann Hutchinson Guest

Answer

Elizabeth Souritz

Answer

Rudolf Laban

Question 36

Who wrote the influential book 'Power of Dance'?

Accepted Answer

Ann Hutchinson Guest

Answer

Peter Brinson

Answer

Yvonne Rainer

Answer

Merce Cunningham

Question 37

What was a key difference between the critical approaches of Clive Barnes and John Percival?

Accepted Answer

Barnes focused on technical virtuosity, while Percival emphasized social relevance

Answer

Percival favored contemporary dance, while Barnes preferred classical ballet

Answer

Barnes was more academic in his writing, while Percival was more journalistic

Answer

Percival was known for his negative reviews, while Barnes was more positive

Question 38

Which British dance critic and historian is widely recognized for their significant contributions to the history of ballet?

Accepted Answer

Cyril Beaumont

Answer

Ann Hutchinson Guest

Answer

Nadine Meisner

Answer

Edwin Denby

Question 39

Which British dance historian is known for their research on the history of African-American dance in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

Nadine Meisner

Answer

Deborah Jowitt

Answer

Lillian Moore

Answer

Ann Hutchinson Guest

Question 40

Which dance critic is known for their humorous and often sharp writing style?

Accepted Answer

Clive Barnes

Answer

Frank Buchman

Answer

Deborah Jowitt

Answer

John Martin

Question 41

Who is the author of the influential book 'The Art of Watching Dance'?

Accepted Answer

Deborah Jowitt

Answer

Clive Barnes

Answer

Roslyn Sulcas

Answer

Frank Buchman

Question 42

Which British dance critic is credited with being the first to regularly publish dance reviews in a national newspaper?

Accepted Answer

Edwin Evans

Answer

Arnold Haskell

Answer

Cyril Beaumont

Question 43

Who was a pioneer in the analysis of dance notation systems?

Accepted Answer

Rudolf von Laban

Answer

Cecchetti

Answer

Merce Cunningham

Answer

Vaslav Nijinsky

Question 44

Who founded and edited the influential dance magazine 'Dance and Dancers'?

Accepted Answer

Peter Williams

Answer

Arnold Haskell

Answer

Edwin Evans

Answer

Cyril Beaumont

Question 45

What is the fundamental role of a dance historian?

Accepted Answer

To document and analyze the evolution of dance styles and practices.

Answer

To teach dance techniques to aspiring dancers.

Answer

To choreograph new dance works.

Question 46

Which of the following would be of least value to a dance historian studying dance in the Victorian era?

Accepted Answer

Contemporary reviews of modern dance performances.

Answer

Diaries and letters written by Victorian dancers.

Answer

Dance manuals from the Victorian period.

Answer

Illustrations of Victorian dance costumes.

Question 47

How did the emergence of the Royal Ballet in the mid-20th century influence dance criticism in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

It resulted in a heightened focus on classical ballet development.

Answer

It led to a decline in dance criticism's popularity.

Answer

It spurred critics to exclusively focus on contemporary dance.

Question 48

What is the significance of the work by contemporary dance historians such as Judith Mackrell?

Accepted Answer

They have expanded dance history's focus to include underrepresented genres and performers.

Answer

Their focus is solely on the history of classical ballet.

Question 49

How does a critic's understanding of dance history inform their reviews?

Accepted Answer

It provides a broader context to situate the performance's significance.

Answer

It diminishes their appreciation of innovative works.

Answer

It has no impact on their reviews.

Question 50

Which is NOT an acceptable role for dance critics?

Accepted Answer

Advocating exclusively for a particular dance style or choreographer.

Answer

Assessing the artistic merits of a dance work.

Answer

Analyzing the historical and cultural context of a dance work.

Answer

Providing informed commentary on dance performances.

Question 51

How have online platforms and digital archives impacted the study of dance history?

Accepted Answer

They have enhanced access to a wide range of historical sources and documentation.

Answer

They have reduced the relevance of traditional research methods.

Answer

They have made dance history less accessible to the general public.

Question 52

A dance critic analyzing a contemporary performance of a traditional folk dance would likely focus on which of the following?

Accepted Answer

How the performance reinterprets or challenges traditional elements.

Answer

The popularity of the dance among audiences.

Answer

The accuracy of the dance steps and costumes.

Question 53

Why is it important for dance critics and historians to consider the social and cultural context of a dance work?

Accepted Answer

It helps them understand the meaning and significance of the work within its time and place.

Answer

It is not essential for understanding a dance work.

Answer

It allows them to judge the artistic merit of the work objectively.