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Dame Beryl Grey GalaMarch 2002 London, Sadler's Wells by Bruce Marriott |
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To say Beryl Grey looks in good shape is a bit like saying Mike Tyson seems to work out a bit. She is a stunning figure of a woman and yet she had time and smiles for everybody as she wended her way through the Sadler's foyer in a backless evening dress. She was also on the telly not so long ago, dancing and flaunting her knickers as she coached Darcey Bussell in the studio. No way is she 75 but that's the reason we were all there of course. As galas go this was pacey and well timed. More importantly it all came from the heart and felt English and charming as everybody wrestled with the microphone and remembered an anecdote or two. It started with four Royal Ballet dancers (two of whom only joined the company 3 weeks ago) performing a medley of works associated with Dame Beryl. It was a good dancing start to the evening, although RB conspicuously and inexplicably took no further part in the show despite Bussell and Cope being listed. It now seems that Cope was injured and no subsututute(s) could be found. Obviously rather sad given the circumstances. The other English companies all gave one or two spots. I loved Tom (Edur) and Agnes (Oaks) in the DonQ pdd where Tom has now developed a terrific sense of fun and irony as he goes about his flash work. Nao Sakuma and Chi Cao from BRB did a pdd from Bintley's latest (The Seasons), and Cao particularly got some extra applause for panache. NBT brought the central and most moving pdd from Madame Butterfly and probably alerted a few to what is an excellent production (and opening on Wednesday at Sadler's too). And Irek Mukhamedov turned out to dance in Rosalinda, a piece by Ronald Hynd that Beryl had commissioned for London Festival Ballet in her last year as director - 1979. Even the Royal Swedish Ballet sent 2 dancers - Beryl's husband being Swedish. Amid all the classical work, Rambert danced part of Christopher Bruce's latest piece to country music - Paul Liburd just looked so calm and clear. All our palates were duly cleared. And there was tap dance from a junior competition winner and also Wayne Sleep - unrestrained and hopelessly show biz! And Lady Walton's hat. She was talking about the music to Facade but we were all concentrating on the hat which appeared to be modelled on a swarm of blue bees. She could have easily appeared in Star Trek as an alien - though one gifted at speaking English and engaging any audience. Like Beryl, a marvellous inspiration of a woman. But the piece I enjoyed the most was performed by 1 girl, 6 boys and a pole from ENB School. Adagio for Strings is music that moves you but Anthony Dowson (Principal teacher with the school) really created a corker of a piece that I thought had the feel of Monotones - all controlled and smooth, deliberate movement as the girl (and pole) are serenely manipulated and contorted. A lovely find and very well danced.
At the end Beryl said a few words surrounded by all the dancers and friends, but centre stage, thanking everybody and looking radiant. I hope I look as good in a backless gown at 75 I thought...
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