Carole Edrich Weblog

making a spanish dancer?

Auditoria are rarely designed with a laptop–wielding audience in mind and the Lilian Baylis Theatre is no exception. Dame Marina Keet is the leading expert in Spanish Dance so it was important to record her words. Typing verbatim on the laptop is no problem, and as I can't write fast enough with pen and paper in the dark there was no other choice.

the laptop holds more interest for some than others
photo (c) Carole Edrich, 2007

The only clearly available electric plug in this theatre was on the wall by the front row. That meant an unseemly rush to the seat nearby. I was concerned that the audience would avoid the seats around me because they didn't want the distraction of a laptop, so was very relieved when a family of four took them. Three generations had come to watch Ines Alexandre perform. Even though she's just nine years old I'm sure her father was more nervous than she!

Ines danced several times with three other girls of the same age. Each had a careful elegance and deportment that belied their years. It was lovely to watch her father's pleasure grow as we both saw Ines slowly lose her nerves, start to enjoy performing and respond to the final applause with a wonderful smile. Other students from Escuela de Baile and the Central School of Dance performed, as did Conchita del Campo and various UK based dancers and musicians.

As one would expect from anything with which Dame Keet was involved it was a comprehensive, structured and entertaining evening. I knew that Dame Keet would deliver a wealth of knowledge and unique perspectives on Spanish dance but was enchanted by the enthusiasm and gentle humour with which it was delivered. The Alexandre family's friendliness was an added bonus and even though her brother Luis was not converted (he still prefers football) I found the entire evening inspirational - an encapsulation of everything I love about dance.

Preparing for an earlier Escuela de Baile show at the Peacock Theatre
photo (c) Carole Edrich, 2006

Little Ines will go back to regular flamenco lessons with Nuria Garcia at Escuela de Baile. Is she another great Spanish Dancer in the making?

We’ll just have to wait and see.

Review of the evening

Full transcript of lecture given by Dame Marina Keet

Posted by carole at February 13, 2007 02:54 AM