Bottle Dance in Fiddler on the Roof?

Question

Hi, We are doing this play in Hindi in Delhi in Dec 07. I need inputs from those who have staged this play. How do we keep the bottle stable on top of the head of the dancer?

Answer 1

We've done this show a few times and we've never used any devices to keep the bottles stable. The dancers actually balanced the bottles on their heads. Some nights they fell, most nights they did not and they got great applause when they dramatically knocked the bottles off in the end and bowed. With enough practice you won't need any tricks. Just experiment with the bottles :-)

break a leg

Answer 2

Ah, an old favourite..........

In Jerome Robbins' original choreography, the Dancers elaborately showed that no tricks or devices were used. Training,training,training.

We off-Broadway types do not have that luxury. So here goes:

1: Velcro the top of the hat and the bottom of the bottle.

Simply does not work. The bottle will fall off.

2: Putty or some such

See above

3: Sand, Cat Litter, Buckwheat, etc. in the bottom of the bottle

See above

The only trick that I have ever seen work consistently is a Styrofoam cap under the hat with a cutout that is the shape of the bottle bottom, with a higher wall toward the front and sides.

Proper posture on the part of the Dancers is essential (tell them not to bend backwards on the "throw the leg out and slide forward" finale of the dance), but this "cheat" can make for less embarrassing Stage Moments. Keeping the upper arms at shoulder height and a straightened spine is essential.

As you can doubtlessly infer, I am not a choreographer. I have, however, seen this work.

An American play about European Jews performed in Hindi?
Talk about a Global Village. I would dearly love to see that production.

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Bottle Dance in Fiddler on the Roof?
Hi, We are doing this play in Hindi in Delhi in Dec 07. I need inputs from those who have staged this play. How do we keep the bottle stable on top of the head of the dancer?

Answer 4

we used stiff hats worn just on the head enough for them to stay on. then we dented the top for the bottles to sit it as they put them on their heads. they still wobbled but it worked. also, some of our less balanced dancers put fish-tank gravel in their bottle to weigh down the bottom. but the best part of all is that the dancers took their hats off n showed the un-dented top and nothing on the bottom of the bottles.

Answer 5

We used velcro. You could also try that putty that is supposed to hold posters to walls without tape.