Daniel Jones Diary

So help me Greg

Once the physiotherapists gave me permission to go back into the studio, I was to have coaching with Greg Horsman (ex Principal dancer with English National Ballet and The Australian Ballet). We started with half hour barre sessions in a small studio at Jay Mews, and depending on how my foot and ankle reacted, we would decide whether or not it would be safe to work again the next day.

On the first day I couldn’t plié and my foot didn’t stretch properly, but all I could do was pretend that I had never done ballet before in my life. I couldn’t allow myself to get frustrated as this would drive me crazy and as the days progressed I tried to take pleasure in the extra millimetres of movement I was gaining each day. Greg was wonderful, and would reassure me that I was making progress, while at the same time making sure that I was not cheating in any way.

A piece Daniel will be dancing in soon...
Some of the designs for Michael Corder’s new ballet, 'Melody on the Move'
© English National Ballet

Fortunately there was only one day when I had to drop out of coaching, and that was when I drove to Swindon to join the company on tour and my ankle decided to turn into a tennis ball. It was the drive that had done it, but I hadn’t even thought that it would be a problem until I arrived. But fortunately, this was only a temporary delay and the next day I was once again stretching my feet and feeling the pain. Muscular pain of course, which to me is good pain. OK, a slightly uncomfortable ache, a nice ache.

Swimming therapy

During this time of recovery and rehabilitation the best fun I was having was in a swimming pool. This was because swimming didn’t hurt at all, and any swelling in my foot and ankle would disappear when I got out of the water. And so, almost religiously, I got myself into a routine of swimming every day, which I am sure is the reason why it wasn’t so difficult once I first stepped back into rehearsals.

I even managed to attend a yoga class which was not easy. It wasn’t the yoga that was difficult, it was trying to find a yoga class that had any spaces available, as yoga is very popular these days.

Back to rehearsal in 80 days

And so, on Monday May 5th I attended my first rehearsal since the accident. The rehearsal was for Michael Corder’s new ballet, Melody on the Move, which will be performed on July 8th-9th as part of a triple bill at Sadler’s Wells . This is one fun ballet and it was perfect for my first day back.

Meanwhile, rehearsals have also started for English National Ballet’s performance at the Linbury Studio Theatre which will be performed on May 24th and May 27th. And Finally… is my contribution to the evening and it is all very exciting.

Black Island Studios Bluescreen studio
director - Helio Pelosi, artist - Angela Huntbach and dancer - Fernanda Oliveira
© Daniel Jones

And not forgetting Angela Huntbach’s project (see last diary) that I choreographed which will be on display at the Royal College of Art masters show from May 28th-June 9th.

Black Island Studios Dressing room...
with dancers - Jenna Lee, Tamarin Stott, Désirée Ballantyne, and Fernanda Oliveira
© Daniel Jones

What a month! I have to say, it’s not been easy - but if I wanted an easy life I wouldn’t be a ballet dancer.