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Since my last newsletter I've been very busy with rehearsals and shows. After a run of Trysts at the Opera House, as part of the mixed bill, Johnny and I also had the opportunity to perform the pas de deux from Tryst at a Gala of modern works in Lyon. The Gala - at La Maison de la Danse- was to celebrate the 20th anniversary of that theatre, so the show was filmed and later broadcast on BBC4 in December. Knowing you're being filmed always adds that extra bit of pressure, so it wasn't quite as relaxing as we'd thought it would be.
Roberto and I really enjoyed our Swan Lakes and it's great that we were able to film one for the Opera House archives. A week after finishing Swan Lake I flew out to Verona to perform in 3 Christmas Galas with Roberto. We did the Nutcracker pas de deux and the Balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet (Verona is the city in which Shakespeare's play was set.). The set designers made me a beautiful balcony, which was virtually identical to "Juliet's" in Verona. Roberto was very proud that the company had made such an effort for me, especially as he has been asking me to come out and guest for so long. He was also pleased that the balcony knocked spots off the one we had to use at the Opera House in last year's Jubilee gala. Nutcracker also went very well; however, as the stage is on a slight rake, it was that little bit harder to dance than usual. Of course, the Nutcracker pas de deux is tiring on any stage, but it does add to the difficulty when you have an incline for the manège! One thing I always love about guesting at Galas is having the chance to see friends from other companies. It was fun to catch up with Jose Manuel Carreño (who used to dance with the Royal Ballet) and Gillian Murphy from ABT. Roberto has asked me to perform Giselle in Verona in April but, unfortunately, I won't be able to as I'll be rehearsing David Bintley's new ballet at the Opera House.
I was really disappointed that Johnny and I weren't able to make our first Nutcracker. Isn't it great that he's been awarded a CBE? Congratulations, Johnny! It was a performance I'd been looking forward to, as it was Johnny's birthday, and I would have liked to do something special for him on stage. I came back from Verona to find he had injured his back in rehearsal. Andrew Murphy, from BRB, came down to perform with me but, after a whole day of rehearsal, and even some time on stage, I suddenly came down with flu and had to spend the next 4 days in bed. Fortunately, Johnny and I both recovered in time for our other two shows - and our last, on New Year's Day, was very special. It was probably Johnny's last Nutcracker (the Company won't be performing it again for a few years) and when he told me he was glad that he'd danced his last one with me, I felt very proud. We also managed to have a bit of fun at the curtain calls with a wand and some fairy wings - a great way to start off the New Year and celebrate Johnny's last Nutcracker! If anyone managed to get a photo of us I'd love a copy! I was also really pleased that Phoebe managed to watch a little of this Nutcracker. Angus brought her in for the end of the matinee and she watched the coda (finale) from the wings and got another taste of what it's like to leave from the stage door.
I am now very busy with rehearsals but really looking forward to performing Winter Dreams. I've also started rehearsing both Manon and Sleeping Beauty, although Roberto won't be over till later on this month. While I've been with the company we've performed 2 different productions of Beauty, so this one will be my third. When we're learning new productions it can be so easy to go back to the version you're familiar with, especially if you've danced it often and have strong images of the steps in your mind. As long as the new production doesn't have those steep stairs that were in Anthony's, however, I'll be pleased - that was the scariest entrance ever. I still feel nervous and get shivers down my spine when I hear the Garland Dance music - even if I'm in the supermarket. You'd think after all this time it wouldn't still have that effect - but it does. Of course, the entrance wouldn't be so bad if you didn't have to go straight into the Rose Adage - where sometimes the guys are even more nervous than I am!
My offstage life has been busy too. Coalport have released the first of the china figurines that I talked about in the last newsletter - click on the image more details. I did a short interview with the BBC for their week-long series of programmes broadcast from the Opera House. If you saw any of these, I'm sure you'll have enjoyed the insights into the workings of the house. I was interviewed along with Mario Testino and was fascinated to hear that he had been given backstage access in the 70's when he first came to the UK. If you missed the interview I believe it's still available online at the BBC website. And a final piece of really good news I had recently was that Igor Zelensky has recovered from a serious back injury. It was good to hear that he's back on stage and I hope we'll be able to dance together again in the future.
Thanks to everyone who entered the book competition. The correct answer was Princess Rose and the winner is ........ Rishe Groner, from Australia. The book will be on its way to you very soon, Rishe .
I'd like to wish you all a belated Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year. Thanks to 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 still working my way slowly 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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