You may be able to guess from the title exactly what I've been doing since Christmas! Yes, I've also done the odd show or two, but I do know the studios very well! With so many rehearsals and so many pieces to perform, I even had to turn down the chance to dance in Mats Ek's Carmen. Although I'd done a couple of rehearsals for it already, it is so different from the other ballets I'm rehearsing just now that it would have put too much strain on my body. One thing I've learned with experience is to listen to your body and pace yourself. When you are younger (by the way, here's a picture which was taken when I was at the Royal Ballet School) and are being offered new roles it is so hard to turn them down even though you know you are pushing yourself to the limits and increasing the chance of injury. Sometimes it's better to take the sensible route. Carmen is coming back next season so here's hoping I'll be able to perform it then.
The last few Nutcrackers went well and then we went into the mixed bill after a week off. I brought Phoebe in to the Opera House during my week off and she watched me do a barre. She seemed to enjoy the experience and it was fun to have her around while I was working. Beyond Bach went well at first, but the last few shows brought us a lot more drama than we wanted. As you are probably aware Inaki Urlezaga injured himself in rehearsal and, as he had been partnering me in both Beyond Bach and La Bayadère, that caused quite a few problems. Ricardo Cervera, who was covering Inaki's part in Beyond Bach, was already dancing another role in the same piece. He, of course, hadn't had time to learn Inaki's part and now only had two rehearsals to prepare it - one of these was two hours before curtain up since we also had full calls of La Bayadère that week. Ricardo was amazing considering what little time we had.
With Inaki injured it wasn't just Beyond Bach for which I needed a partner - there was La Bayadère to think about as well. Poor Inaki! Our rehearsals had been going so well and he was looking forward to making his debut as Solor. It was a big disappointment to both of us when he had to pull out. But now the question was - who could we get to replace him? Thankfully, Carlos Acosta was able to step in at the last minute, which meant that Carlos and I would finally have a chance to perform together. That caused still more rehearsal difficulties, however, since Carlos is also partnering Tamara Rojo. He made his debut on the Monday night with Tamara and then performed with me on Tuesday - after only 30 minutes' rehearsal time together. Carlos has agreed to do all my other shows so we should be able to find time for a few more rehearsals. It'll be a case of fitting them in, though, because I'm also busy with rehearsals of In the Middle with Roberto Bolle. The fact that these two ballets demand very different techniques just makes life more interesting.
With all this work I haven't had much time for a social life - and even had to turn down an invitation to the Mario Testino launch of his exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery which includes the Black Swan photo he took of me. I just hope I manage to get there before the exhibition closes in June. Wedgwood have also asked to make a china figurine of me, although at present we are still talking about the logistics. I'll keep you informed if it goes ahead.
Thanks to everyone who entered the poster competition. The correct answer was Stuart Cassidy and the winner is ........ Beth Holden from East Sussex. The poster will be on its way to you very soon, Beth.
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 am slowly working my way through the pile, 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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