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April 20, 2008
practically perfect and worth the wait
The first time the train stopped I wasn’t too bothered because I had allowed an extra thirty minutes to get to the lesson at Expressions Studio in Kentish Town. When the train stopped again I still had lots of time but when we stopped again my spare time had run out. I called the studio and left a message to tell them all that I would most likely be late. I arrived at 12:00pm, quarter of an hour later than I’d arranged and at exactly the time the lesson was scheduled to find the lesson in full swing.
Anton and Wendy
(c) Carole Edrich, 2008
I was there to cover the lesson given by Anton du Beke to Wendy, who had won the lesson from Dance Today some ten months earlier and my first impression was the happy positivity of everyone involved. A natural cynic when it comes to live TV, I often wonder about the extent to which on-screen jokes are scripted but Anton's real-life warmth and jovial playfulness could not be faked. The man was every inch as charmingly cheerful and flirtatious as he is on TV and whilst being very precise in his dance instruction he was encouraging, engaging and empathetic as well.
Anton and Will
(c) Carole Edrich, 2008
They had started early so that I could ask my questions at the end but Wendy and Will were enjoying themselves so much I let the lesson run on. Anton’s overriding concerns (as always, he says) were about waiting, weight, posture and position. When asked to give one point to remember for each of his pupils, with a glint in his eye he said that Will should learn new things slowly before speeding them up. “And for Wendy?” I asked. Anton grinned cheekily; “Wendy? Wendy’s practically perfect”.
Both she and her partner will were understandably nervous when I arrived, but by the end Anton had them relaxed, happy and wanting more. It was great to be party to such a wonderful day. Wendy told me that her lesson had been worth every minute of the ten month wait and that she’d treasure the memory forever.
Wendy and Will
(c) Carole Edrich, 2008
Wendy invited Anton to visit Leamington Dance Centre where she is a ballroom teacher herself. He said he might. I hope that he does and that I can get there to cover it.
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