© Dave Morgan Kristen McNally working with Tom Whitehead on 'Don't hate the player, hate the game' Gallery of 16 images Kristen McNally on Ballet.co: Weblog Interview, February 2003 McNally in reviews RB reviews Take5 Interview 5 Questions, 5 mins - A mini interview about something specific... Discuss

Q1 New piece in the Linbury 'New Works' night... What's it all about? Does it have a name?

I like to use inspiration from my own life and use things which are interesting to me at the particular time of making a piece. This time round it's my little comment on celebrity and people's behaviour and willingness to follow when presented with a perceived ideal. Its called 'Don't hate the player, hate the game'!

Q2 Your music/sound tracks are always amazing - so what this time?

I've done my usual DJ mix of course! Until I have the budget for Kings of Leon to compose me a full length piece then you'll have to put up with it!

Q3 How long in the studio has it taken to create and do you edit and change lots?

I've had about 6 hrs in the studio. Unfortunately with such a hectic main stage schedule that's all I've been able to fit in! Tom Whitehead is my dancer/star/muse! He's been amazing. I don't tend to use the classical vocabulary in its taught sense, I'm trying to create a new style of moving which makes it more difficult. I still haven't found my style yet, it'll take lots more practise from me so I can't thank Tom enough for having the belief in me to uninhibitedly try things out. However crazy they may be! I finished it today! I don't tend to change things at this stage, just add and fiddle.

Q4 How do you feel at one of your premieres - happy, numb, drunk, aware its never right...?

First nights are the worst. There's something so horribly unsettling about letting people see inside your head for the first time! I just want to hide!

Q5 What next?

Practise taking a nice sensible bow for the first night! I recently had a little watch of my Obama piece and I come on at the end and make a right fool of myself!