Originally Posted by soulmate61:
“Unlike the waltz evoking the rise and fall of the sea, the paso dramatises a matador facing a bull, one of them destined to die. The final moment as the matator plunges his sword with professional precision is silent with stillness and tension but the absence of movement speaks volumes. If stillness is to be as eloquent as movement, the body and face will have to be very convincing indeed.
In her rumba, motionless Emma took her time to raise her leg, her pointed toes stretching the long grace. Her posture was so good that viewers savoured every lingering moment.
As for matter-of-fact walking round the floor to reach the spot for the next pose, we can see that for free in the street.”
That is a good point, very well put.
I agree that, especially in moments of stillness, the face has to be convincing. But I don't think that calls for expressions that are greatly exaggerated (Lynda, Natalie, Ricky G) or irrelevant (Natalie, Ricky G).
And in dance stillness gets much of its eloquence via contrast with movement: movement that led to the stillness, or that will follow it, or that could be happening instead (Emma could have done it more quickly, though still with grace).