Four Screenings...and a Funeral

by Cassa Pancho

At the earlier end of November, Vanessa (BB Administrator) and I went to a screening of “You Don’t Dance Like Me”, a collection of filmed work by black and Asian choreographers. It was a good evening - we got to know some very interesting characters and even witnessed a full-scale fit of temper, but I was disappointed by the lack of ballet that was going on (or not, as the case may be).

Black people in dance was the topic of the month, what with BBC Radio Four interviewing Christopher Nourse (Managing Director of English National Ballet) and Brenda Edwards (former London Festival Ballet dancer) about black women in ballet, local television stations doing features on black dance students and Darshan Singh Buller taking over at Phoenix. But where is the ballet? While the Radio Four show raised several issues concerning black female ballerinas, few questions were actually answered. I’m fully aware that as a new, unknown company, we will have to work extremely hard to earn any kind of a reputation or respect, but I find it disappointing that there could be a radio interview dealing with the lack of black classical dancers, where not one of the people involved in the show seemed to know about the existence of Ballet Black. Anyway, onto other things…

There has been another Ballet School hitch. Though I’ve found another ideal location (for both classes and Company rehearsals) there’s a small problem with moving in. I won’t mention the area for now, but I will explain that it’s a hall attached to a church, which means I’ve been dealing with the Parish Priest. Here’s an extract from our last conversation (and take into consideration that the tone was as if we were discussing a tea-dance):

CP: I have quite a few kids ready to start classes, so could I have the keys in two weeks time?

PP: Yes, that would all be fine, but I’m afraid there has been a bit of trouble on the admin side of things…

CP: Oh?

PP: Yes, the lady who takes care of that for us is dead.

CP: Oh, (biting lip, because although I know its not funny, I desperately want to laugh) I’m terribly sorry.

PP: Yes, she was rather old. Died last night.

CP: (still biting, signs of blood now) Oh dear.

PP: We’re bringing in the body tonight though.

CP: (having no clue as to how this part relates to all the little would-be ballerinas waiting to start classes) I see…?

PP: So you may have to wait a bit longer. Anyway, these things happen.

Right…

Second Audition – November 24th
Our second audition was held at the end of November and had a completely different atmosphere to the first. There was a bigger turnout this time, as well as two of the original four dancers, plus Denzil (taking class) and Jonathan (on music). Venetia and Vanessa were there too, keeping everything running like clockwork - and me sane. No men turned up to this one, which still surprises me, but we found two more women to join the Company. The class was excellent - all the BB “staff” were chilled, and I actually enjoyed it (!)

The inevitable happened the next day. Several people called who wanted to audition, but had only just seen the notice. What is it about out-of-date posters that attract people? Rather than holding yet another formal audition, we decided to have a Company class, and invite potential recruits to join in…

Pineapple Studios – December 15th
If the second audition was chilled, then our first Company class was Superfly chill. Denzil could do this standing on his head now, the dancers are starting to become friends and I’m beginning to picture how each one will look performing our repertoire. Most of the Company are scattered all over the place at the moment; one in the States, one in Spain, one in the slightly less exotic Dorset and one in Never Never Land (doing Peter Pan), so this left us with two originals, and two dancers that were trying out. Denzil and I liked what we saw, so we now have eight dancers to work with. By this time next month, we will have begun regular Company classes and Denzil and I will have started choreographing two new ballets. That’s when the real work will begin, but all the dancers are enthusiastic about what we’re doing, and so am I. All we need now is a theatre, but I’m getting one of those tomorrow.