ALL FOR ONE & ONE FOR ALL!
KEVIN POEUNG and ANTOINETTE BROOKS-DAW , two of the stars of the Northern Ballet’s acclaimed production, tell us all about The Three Musketeers
When did you start dancing and where?
ABD: I started dancing before I can even remember. My mum was a ballet teacher so naturally I went along to have lessons. I think my very first lesson would have been a baby ballet class in Hong Kong, where I spent some of my younger years growing up, at the age of two! KP: I started dancing when I was six in a small dance school in Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, France then moved away from home to train at the National Dance School in Marseille. I then trained at English National Ballet School in London. The transition from France to the UK was a big shock for me. Not knowing the language was a huge struggle but every foreign student had to take English classes every Saturday morning before class which made it easier day by day.
Kevin, how does the UK compare to France?
KP: They are both equally beautiful I would say. For example, I recently went to explore the stunning Appletreewick in the Yorkshire Dales and sitting by the River Wharfe on a sunny day, I thought I was back in the south of France.
How long have you both been at Northern Ballet? What made you decide to join the company?
KP: I am now in my seventh year with Northern Ballet – time flies! I joined Northern Ballet because it is the best touring company in the UK and I knew I would get the experience and opportunities I hoped for.
ABD: I’ve been at Northern Ballet now for 10 years – I still can’t quite believe it has been that long! It’s a company that I grew up watching and always felt there was something special about it. Their performances captured my heart and my mind and I knew that this company was where I wanted to dance. It was definitely a surreal moment the first time I performed in those same Northern Ballet productions that I’d seen and loved. A complete dream come true!
Kevin, The Three Musketeers is a French classic. As a Frenchman yourself, how did it feel to be cast as the lead?
KP: I was a little surprised to be cast as d’Artagnan because I am quite a short dancer and a main role like this is often given to taller dancers – but I am delighted. Of course, everyone in France knows about the famous three musketeers. I really like the story, there is everything in it – love, drama, friendship, action. But what I like the most in the story is the adventure and excitement. The ballet is so action-packed – it’s filled with a lot of exciting dancing as well as comedic moments.
Can you tell us a bit about your roles?
ABD: Constance is the Queen’s personal seamstress and also her confidante. She lives with her mother who is the head of the washer women. Constance is young, beautiful and captures the heart of our hero of the story, d’Artagnan. Although some versions of the story portray her as slightly naïve and ditsy, in our ballet she is very intelligent, trusting and has a great inner strength. KP: d’Artagnan is a young Frenchmen who was raised in Gascony, France and trained to sword fight with his father. He is a charismatic, impulsive and brave young man which helps in his quest to become a musketeer.
How have you prepared for the fight scenes?
KP: My favourite moments during the rehearsal period so far have been working on the fighting – even though it is very specific and detailed, it is fun to fight with swords. We had an intense week of training with John Crouch from Leeds Fencing Club. It was very interesting to learn how to properly swordfight as opposed to just hitting swords. It is a lot more complex and meticulous than it seems. There were a few funny moments during the fencing sessions such as when the sequence we learnt didn’t go to plan – we ended up just swinging swords all over the place.
Northern Ballet tours all over the country for the majority of the year. How do you relax and “switch off”?
ABD: After a busy week of performing I usually spend some time catching up on sleep! The days in the theatre can sometimes be quite long, up to 12 hours, which can take its toll by the end of a tough week. I enjoy going out to dinner with friends and relaxing with a glass of wine (or two!). I also love swimming, I find it really therapeutic. There is something about water that has an instant calming effect. Another love of mine is music so I’m constantly on the lookout for anywhere that has live music, whether that be a classical concert or a small gig. KP: After an intense show week, I try to relax with a gin and tonic and my back massager/foot spa on the sofa with my fiancé.
Northern Ballet’s The Three Musketeers will be playing at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal on October 4, October 5 and October 6, with matinee performances on October 4 and 6. Tickets, priced from £10 to £45, can be bought at trch.co.uk.