The last few months have certainly been different. We had a great break over Christmas and New Year. And after that The Royal Opera House announced that Angus and I are expecting our first child. It hardly needs saying that we are both absolutely thrilled and excited about this news. Fortunately, I am feeling good and still going to class, where I can meet and talk with all my friends. Of course, it still seems a little strange not to have rehearsals and performances to go to. But I'm enjoying the opportunity to rest and plan for the future. Many thanks to everyone for their good wishes. Oh and by the way, I AM planning to continue dancing after the baby is born.
I felt really honoured to attend The South Bank Show Awards where Sir Anthony Dowell and the Royal Ballet won the Award for Dance. Since 2001 is Sir Anthony Dowell's last year as Director of the Royal Ballet, this recognition couldn't have come at a better time. It's a wonderful tribute to a great dancer and a great director. We've gone through some difficult times during the last few years, particularly when the House was closed, but the company emerged stronger than ever.
Last Summer I became involved in setting up a design company called Bussell and Taylor with a school friend called Lindsay Taylor. Lindsay and I have known each other for ever (well, since Junior School) and since I've always been interested in interior design it seemed like a great idea to start up a company of our own. Lindsay, who studied textile design at Chelsea School of Art, has spent most of the last few years in India and the designs will be produced over there. We were going to launch the Company in April, but it will probably be September before we are ready now. That's because our workshops are in the area which was hurt so badly by the earthquake. Those poor people! We lost some of our designs, but many of them have lost everything. Lindsay is going out to India next week to try to sort things out.
More recently, I filmed my first ever TV commercial (for Lloyds TSB) in the middle of January. You may have seen it on TV already. I was only one of many taking part in the campaign called What would you bank, but really enjoyed the experience which gave me the chance to try my hand at choreography. (Only the 6 children running around the grass, so hardly a three act ballet!) It was great fun, but I don't think choreography will be my next career move. The filming took place all in one day (quite quick according to those in the know). Hope you like it! There was also a fashion spread in the February issue of Italian Elle that you may have seen. By the way, the photo on this page is from the Gold Virtuosi 2000 International Jewellery Design Awards (Photos by John Swannell, styled by Hilary Alexander with hair and make-up by Jonathon Malone.)
I have added a new section to About Darcey, called 'Dancing with Darcey'. I often get asked what it is like working with different dancers, so I thought it might be interesting to let you hear what they have to say for themselves! Since I have rather a lot of things to think about at the moment, however, I've turned this job over to the site's Webmistress. For our first instalment, I sent her off to interview Roberto Bolle (Great for me, eh? - Webmistress) while he was over for The Nutcracker and you can read all about their encounter!
I would like to thank everyone who has sent cards, letters and gifts to me at the Opera House; I really appreciate your support! Sorry for the delay in replying to some of them - I'm slowly working my way through a rather large mountain of mail so if you haven't heard from me yet, you will soon! Thanks also for the comments regarding this site.
I hope you enjoyed the newsletter. Please come back again to see what I have been up to.
Enjoy your dance!!
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