Rehearsal Scenes

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22073, 22 April 1937, Page 4 (Supplement)

Rehearsal Scenes

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A BALLET DANGER

"I'd love to be a ballet dancer. I could stay in bed till 9 o'clock in the mornings." This is an extract from an overheard conversation. A visit to a rehearsal and a chat to' members of the Monte Carlo' Russian ballet show that staying in bed till 9 o'clock in the mornings -does not make up for the very hard work done by every dancer.' Here is some of the information we had on,our .visits.

says. ''Quiet! Begin!" arid, the'-re-hearsal begins.. The ballet dancers have been standing or sitting about. Suddenly the piano gives them their cue, and they leap into thistledown life. It is a dance of two ballet girls. We hear advice given; we see -others doing the particular step at the back of the stage; we hear an English name said several times as one or two experienced

We arrive at the rehearsal, let; dancers show a graceful girl steps us. suppose; at 10.30 a.m. The in a part completely new, to her. maitre dc ballet greets us most' She must take the part at night, politely, introduces us in English to and is worried. Very seriously, she the manager, and then explains us follows the steps of the teachers, in an outburst of Russian, very and takes the advice of the ballet quick, very explosive and popping, master. And when her turn is over so that we are left with our ears she goes to the back and pracslightly tingling and our eyes dart- Uses, practises, without pause until ine as we follow the movements of she is needed again. There is nothhands, <-houlders, and head. ing casual, nothing mechanical nA . .

We sit, ready to watch and wait till we have our bearings and find someone who speaks English well enough to answer-many questions. The ballet master sits out near the footlights in \a- wooden chair; he has on ordinary shoes, grey trousers/and a woollen pullover; he sits with his.hands grasping his knees and his feet .always-ready to keep time . to .the ' music. He has a whistle hanging to his wrist; but he seldom" uses this. Thud, thud, thud. - He has banged on the chain "Tisha, tisbal" be

about her dancing; she has a thoughtfulness and seriousness, making her rehearsing a deep pleasure to watch. > Now three are practising with counting and murmured words, "Arabesque, one two three turn," the master leaps up, and in a singing voice counts and. moves with them; then clasps' his hands, says "right, bon," and sits again. ." On a set of steps at one side three girls in their black tights and tops are sitting darning. We stand beside them and ask a question. They

are three Russian dancers, byt fortunately we have asked one who has some English. "Always we must darn bur tights," she says. We look arid gasp. "Oh, but it is all embroidery," she tells us with a laugh. And indeed it is. The silk has been darned and darned until it is criscrossed all over the feet and knees, ■it is extremely thick silk, very expensive, made in France or Italy. This is the only satisfactory material for tights for ballet performances. For rehearsals the dancers wear black fine woollen tights, which are also expensive, but not nearly as expensive as the silk ones.

"How long do the silk ones last?" We are told that it depends on the quality of the silk. The much embroidered ones in her hands are two years old, but it is quite possible to wear out a pair of tights in one dance, not even in one evening, but one dance only. This she tells us as well as other thing 3 about prices and qualities, about mending ballet shoes and renewing ribbons and about the effect of washing on the tights. Those who are not dancing or mending their tights are making intricate stitches in their shoes; we see a new' pair, the soles curving in a bow shape, and the ribbons new and gleaming; and then an old pair, soles flat on the floor, uppers very much mended, ribbons pale and wan. But on the flying feet it does not matter, old or new shoes tap across in smallest toe steps or go in floating leaps far across the stage. "Ardeen, dva. trie, chetiry, pyat syest. syem. vosyem; un deux trois, quarte. cinq, six, sept, huit; one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight," calls the pallet master. ,In one corner there has been a huddle of. black clad girls, in the other a group of men; now they come to the counting of eisht in a: graceful, circling dance, the full ballet to charm the audience at night. There is a lull while the master and another ; discuss something in .vigorous Russian: across the stage runs a kitten belonging to one of the company. She has. brought it from Sydney, but complains that it grows very quickly, and costs her more and more to take from place to place. The kitten runs and all the Russians cry "Poossy, poossy." and the few English join in with "Kitty, kitty,' puss, puss." It is a very popular cat.. \. Every now and then the door opens and the doorman brings a book over for the famous Leon Woizikowsky to sign. In the midst of his counting and tapping he does -it; and the autograph hunters stand about the door to catch any others they may. An artist sits in the wings making very rapid sketches of foot and hand positions and Sometimes trying to get a complete figure done before the pose is lost. While they are not rehearsing, and if they are not bothered by darning to do. ballet members do exercises, most vigorous ones, behind the scenes. Their persistence at one exercise is admirable and amazing. Twenty or 30 times they will do the same thing until they feel that their muscles are ready to behave well. Rehearsals and lessons may last from 10 o'clock till 1. In the afternoon members do as they please: write letters, have massage, go cycling, "sleep, see a film,, or go walking. There is no rehearsal in the morning if there is a matinee performance. Sometimes there is a rehearsal at 7 o'clock before the evening performance. Then there is the work of make-up, dressing to be done by the very right time. The artist must; not be late, and must not let such ailments as headaches interfere, with work. .4

sprained ankle is treated with massage and extra work; it is never rested unless it is a particularly bad sprain. It is a busy life and one full of hard work. But ballet dancers love the ballet and are proud of it as an art. When Leon Woizikowsky was asked for a message for our readers he said he would write what he felt about the ballet The Russian of the message is shown on page 4," In English it goes: "I am very happy to devote myself to the art of the dance, for only

in art is there true beauty to be found. "Leon Woizikowsky." All the members of the ballet have been appreciative visitors to Christchurch; they have been most gracious and helpful to questioners, and have left many friends in the city. Helene Kirsova left this message: "To the readers of "The Press Junior.* Having had a lovely time in Christchurch, thanks to your exquisite hospitality, I am leaving with the loveliest memories. of New Zealand. "My kindest regards., "Helerie Kirsova." ;