Toughing it out in tutus

Royal New Zealand Ballet dancers may be living out their childhood dreams but it’s not all pirouettes and tutus.

Clytie Campbell was an RNZB dancer between 2005 and 2016, living and breathing ballet until retiring at 37 to become a Ballet Master, taking classes and ensuring performances run smoothly. She said it took a lot to hold the esteemed title of being an RNZB dancer, a sport that took as much strength and dedication as playing for the All Blacks.

‘‘It’s very demanding physically and mentally. They need to look after their bodies and they need to eat healthy food. A lot of them spend time going to the gym keeping their strength up in different ways to prevent injuries – they work hard.’’

She said a typical day for the fulltime dancers began with a 75-minute class, followed by six hours of rehearsals.

‘‘That’s Monday to Friday, and sometimes Saturday.’’

And as Tutus on Tour gets prepared to jete´ around the country for two weeks, that means learning four different dances as well as rehearsing for the next programme in May, Campbell said. Tutus on Tour hits the ASB Theatre, in Blenheim, on March 4.

‘‘We have quite a lot to do in those six hours of rehearsal a day.’’

It may sound like a big commitment, but she said dancing was a very rewarding job – ‘‘you’re doing what you love, and you’re paid for it; you’re really lucky to work in the industry’’.

‘‘How many get to do what they dreamed of doing when they were children. Most of the dancers in the company, that was their childhood dream.’’

Tutus on Tour has been taking the regional areas of the country by storm for more than 20 years, and since 2017, the event has become annual after being biennial for many years.

While 35 dancers make up the RNZB group of dancers, the tour comprises of 10 dancers taking the mixed programme to the towns of New Zealand. Two groups of ballet dancers tour the North and South islands simultaneously while also switching out the dancers, ensuring everyone is involved at some point, Campbell said.

Among the performances, school children in selected towns, including Nelson, Whanga¯ rei, Gore and Oamaru, are treated to a matinee, Ballet in a Box, with the light-footed performers.

Campbell said for many children, it was the first time they had seen a ballet, and even attended a theatre.

As the dancers slip on their tutus and lace up their soft, pink, leather shoes, she said dancing was much more than just movement, it was the outfits and ‘‘becoming different characters’’.

Tutus on Tour hits the ASB Theatre, in Blenheim, on March 4. For more information and tickets, visit www.rnzb.org.nz