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Critical Dance Goes Backstage – A Daily Diary July 1, 2002 PNB have already been in town for a couple of days. The production team
arrived on Friday and the dancers and other staff members on Saturday morning.
The first two days were mainly taken up with sight-seeing and the London Eye has
won some more devotees, as well as the more traditional spots like Big Ben and
Piccadilly Circus. And of course there is "essential" shopping to be
done in Oxford Street.
Today the Company moved into gear with class at 2 p.m. and then rehearsals
scheduled until 10 p.m. Tomorrow is the first night of Silver Lining,
with class in the morning and a dress rehearsal in the afternoon. Margo Spellman,
the PNB Marketing Manager, told me that she is delighted with Sadler's Wells.
When the company was here before, the theatre was not long open and there was
still much construction work to be finished off. There was dust everywhere and
in general it was an uncomfortable experience for the dancers. I'll never forget
the heroism of the Rambert dancers, who were the first in the new theatre,
having to rehearse in face masks to try to keep the dust out and with industrial
calor gas fan heaters at the side of the stage to take some of the moisture out
of the air. Today, one of the PNB dancers said that they were very impressed
with the dressing rooms and the conditions backstage generally at Sadler's,
which is good to hear.
Margo had a nice story about the innumerable boxes that contain all that the
Company needs for the London visit. One of her colleagues came across an
unmarked box filled with umbrellas and told Margot that someone had been
thoughtful to make provision in case of heavy rain. "Don't you dare touch
them," she responded quickly, "They're props for Silver Lining!"
Monday was also the day for Critical Dance to interview a few more of the
dancers and these will be appearing on the site during the week. Everyone I came
into contact with was very affable and two people commented on the family
atmosphere within the Company and the supportive ethos which starts at the top
with Kent Stowell and Francia Russell, the two Artistic Directors.
Everyone is very sad that Principal Julie Tobiason has broken a bone in her
foot and is unable to make what would have been her retirement performances. But
one dancer told me that Julie, who is very resilient, is getting married soon
and was already talking about how she is going to decorate the surgical boot
that she will still be wearing.
All the PNB dancers are clearly excited to be here and with the chance to
show what they can do to London audiences. It promises to be a fine week of
dance.
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