Ballet Central Diary

Sun, Sea and Scottish Power!

Last week was our last stay-away touring trip (sob sob) to Bridport and Frome. It has gone so fast! We had two shows in Bridport and one in the sauna which was the Frome Theatre. Even the audience were sweating so imagine the state of us!
In Bridport we stayed with families, and I was staying with a lovely couple called Jason and Cynthia, who made excellent adoptive parents for a few days, feeding us and taking us out after the show! The performances in Bridport were a challenge as the stage was tiny but the audience was full both nights which created a really nice atmosphere. I had the chance to dance the jazz piece one night which was great fun - so nice to just enjoy performing and not be worrying about tricky turns! On the second morning we had time to take a trip to the seaside, so a group of us went to Lyme Regis and spent a morning building sand castles!
Frome was a bigger space and the show there went well, aside from the heat. I just don't know how hot countries produce good dancers! After Frome we drove back to London that night, and we still had to come in on Sunday to unload the van! Oh, they do work us hard! Thanks to Russ and Rob for my belated quiz prize - I got a a torch with a clip and a folding multi-tool, so I look really professional for all the get-ins and get-outs now! Definitely worth the wait!
No rest for the wicked, as Monday meant it was time for the Scottish Power Event, where we had the chance to thank our generous sponsors and where I was dancing in four out of five pieces! The stage was a raised platform with no wings, but I think we coped fine. It was a strange show, as there was an interval of over an hour whilst they ate their fancy dinner, but the audience really enjoyed it.
Sadly now, the end of the tour is looming, and I really can't believe it. Everyone has grown so close throughout the tour and we've had so much fun. It is going to be terrible saying goodbye to everyone and all going our separate ways. I suppose all that I can do is make the most of the last few shows!

A Moments Respite!

I am writing this in the brief interlude between two tours. We've done Scotland and are preparing for Bridport! And this is really set to be going from the sublime to the ridiculous! In Scotland we were treated to massive stages with excellent facilities and in Bridport we have been told that the stage is only 5 x 5m! It will be a shock to the system!
Scotland was great! I have never been to Scotland before so I was very excited and in my brief few days there I managed to eat haggis and see a piper in a kilt! Our first hotel was amazing - luxury rooms and beautiful grounds. We had a lot of fun rolling down a hill (simple pleasures are far more amusing after 8 hours on a coach!) before striking out to Galashiels NB it is NOT a 10 minute walk as we were instructed! I have never been so happy to see a Weatherspoons!
The venue in Galashiels was a sports hall, so it had pros and cons. It was a massive space so we could really travel, but the floor was very hard, which made jumping a worry. However, we all survived to tell the tale and the show was well received by the 'select' audience.
Stiring was a real treat! Massive stage, big wings, a nice modern auditorium and spacious changing rooms, plus we were on the University campus so there were lots of shops and cafes on site. I danced Giselle pas de deux for this show as well as the usuals, and although I always find this slightly traumatic, I actually quite enjoyed doing it! The less said about the University accommodation the better, lets just say there are nicer prisons, but they made up for it with a spectalular breakfast!
Then there was the big one: 850 people at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. This was definitely my best show so far. The buzz from having a large audience was amazing and all of my pieces went really well. It is so nice to feel things improving as the tour goes on, and I can relax and enjoy performing more and more, particularly in St Paul's Suite. Corsaire was the best it has gone so far, despite a difficult start: the lights did not come up for at least 30 seconds, which left me wondering 'how long shall we continue in the dark!?' However, Rob managed to fix it in the nick of time. At least it took my mind off of being nervous! Everyone was really pleased with the show and apparently Ashley Page said we looked more like young professionals than students - that was the plan!
The journey home was long, but to be honest I slept the whole way. Now we are rehearsing back at school, busy downsizing for Bridport. Am looking forward to getting out there again, but I am very conscious that there is not much left, which is horrible! I know that I have made the most of it, but it has gone so quickly! Oh, and one final note - RUSS and ROB you still owe me a prize for winning the Ballet Central Bus Quiz!

Congratulations!

Just a quick entry, mainly to say congratulations to Kozue, Rachael and Charlotte! Kozue has got a guest contract with Leipzig ballet, Rachael has been offered a contract on a Jean Ann Ryan cruiseship (with her amazingly long legs!!) and Charlotte (Brown) has an apprenticeship with Phoenix Dance Theatre. Three very exciting jobs, I'm really pleased for them :) My ankle is nearly there now, I have started pointe work again and will start doing grand allegro on Monday. Then I can start to work on my Graduation solo, the assessment is creeping closer and I am so scared!! Also I unfortunately missed out on the Scottish tour and won't be going to Bridport/Frome but will be raring to go after that! I can't wait to get on stage again, but am also really scared as the others have all had so much more practise and are looking fab. I've got a lot of catching up to do! Will keep you up to date with jobs and the ankle x

The beautiful Kozue in her 'Moving On' costume!