Christopher Hampson, Genee and Prague Suits
	Chistopher Hampson website   Christopher Hampson, formerly a dancer and choreographer with ENB, has been keeping a diary for us since November 97. Initially he covered the creation of his new ballet ‘Country Garden’ but since then there have been 20+ other ballets, and he has been a freelance choreographer for three years. Here is a link to the previous column in the series. Link to later column.     Hampson diary index So what's been happening in September / October / November.... Birmingham We’re in September and I have been invited to create the “Choreographed Solo” for the Adelaine Genee Award. There were over fifty candidates and the competition was being hosted by Birmingham Royal Ballet. During the course of the week I created two separate solos, one for the boys and one for the girls. The music was Alkan (Boys) and Gottshalk (Girls). I was creating a dance for one person on as many as thirty people in the room. The girls solo was flirtatious and they didn’t really seem to be getting the point of it. I did empathise with them, it’s not easy to be doing a “flirt with the audience” solo when there isn’t an audience. Well, there was me, but I don’t think they particularly wanted to go down that route. Dressed in just a leotard with a number plastered across their middle is hardly going to get them in the mood, so I devised a cunning plan while rehearsing them. When they had to do it one by one, before any judges/audience saw them, I got them to come into the studio, stand in the middle of the room and tell me (and the rest of the candidates) who they were doing the solo for. Some very interesting answers! Most popular was Orlando Bloom, then there was the guy that, aside from the scalpel, keeps Demi Moore looking young and, of course, there were a few “my boyfriend” answers. The boys (a very strong and talented group) were a bit bemused that they would be performing an adage and all of them brought something of themselves to the work. I keep bumping into most of them at the Royal Opera House and both the solos get another airing at the Prix de Lausanne next January. The faculty were fun too, the casting was Lynn Wallis, Luke Rittner, Valerie Aitkin, myself, Julia Richter, Adrian Sutcliffe and Margot (sorry Margot but I can’t spell your last name, but you know who you are). October Prague again for production meetings on Giselle. My designer (Bruce French) and I were there for three days of meetings for the costumes, sets and rehearsal planning. Now there must be something about Giselle. I have been following Ms. Guildgeud’s diary and have recently met with her designer Jean-Marc, both of whom have filled me in on the various ups and downs of getting their production for Ballet du Rhin. Our troubles started even before the model of the sets had finished being presented. The meeting was held at the National Theatre in a room with the Assistant Director, Technical Director, Press and Marketing, Administrator, Technical Supervisor, a translator, the Finance Director and some people that nodded a lot. Whenever Bruce or myself opened our mouths the Finance Director would start tapping away at his calculator. This was only slightly more off putting than the Technical Director tapping away at his forehead which was tightly clasped in his hands. All the “artys” loved what we presented and all the “money people” looked mildly nauseas. I shall continue with this saga once I’ve regained my sense of humour, but, suffice to say that on Wednesday Bruce and I make another trip to Prague to present our re-designed Act 2! November This time last year I was in Bristol staging the premiere of my Nutcracker and awaiting the delivery of a Fridge/Freezer which measured about half the stage at the Bristol Hippodrome Theatre. It didn’t arrive on time and nobody could tell me when the delivery would take place. This year I have been merrily re-staging the Nutcracker and awaiting the delivery of a Fridge/Freezer from Curry’s, measuring about two metres high. It didn’t arrive and nobody could tell me when the delivery would take place. I waited in all Friday to be told, at the end of the day, that it hadn’t been loaded onto the lorry. The next delivery date would the following Tuesday. Surely, I wouldn’t have to pay the delivery charge? Yes, I would, as it was being delivered, just not on the specified day. I would welcome other “Curry’s stories”, or BT, or Cable, or Electricity. Fortunately for Curry’s (like many of you, I would imagine) I don’t actually have a job and if I wasn’t waiting in for a delivery I’d have nothing else to do. Once it had been delivered I didn’t mind unpacking it myself and helping them out with the old freezer. Nutcracker opened this year in Liverpool and had a handsome standing ovation. The Fridge/Freezer arrived on time and worked beautifully. Other stuff More news to come on Giselle. Talking with Royal New Zealand Ballet about their forthcoming tour of the UK. Getting prepared for the Hammersmith Apollo Season for ENB. Definitely not going to shop at Curry’s. I’m an Uncle for the first time. My nephew’s name is Jack and I’m going to spoil him!
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