En pointe for the return of ballet
Relief as dance company stages first performance in front of live paying audience since spring lockdown
ALL THE elegance and majestic poise of dancers’ grace was suddenly stifled in March when the nation’s stages were plunged into an absolute darkness.
Now, as the Northern Ballet returns in the country’s first major dance performance in front of a live paying audience, there is a wondrous sense of relief. In a ballet, in theatre, and in arts such as this, said artistic director David Nixon OBE, a dancer’s place will always be on stage.
“A moment such as this will be remembered throughout the company’s history,” he said.
“The arts as a whole has had to show real resilience throughout this situation and also reflect on how it works and what it does.
“Dance offers an escapism for many people, a chance to listen to beautiful live music while the dancers tell you a story,” he added. “I think during lockdown, people realised more than ever how much they missed going to the theatre and how much more value they place on it returning.
“We just hope that it doesn’t take too long to be able to return to our large- scale work, and touring around the country to audiences nationwide.”
The company, at Leeds Playhouse on Wednesday night, performed excerpts from ballet classics such as Don Quixote, Swan Lake, Le Corsaire and Giselle.
Abandoning its planned repertoire for 2020, these pieces were chosen to allow for minimal contact and distance between dancers, musicians and backstage staff.
After more than seven months, said Mr Nixon, it feels incredible to return to the stage.
For dancers, having trained in their living rooms and kitchens, returning to the studios had proved a “wonderful” moment.
There had been a barrage of emotions in the run up to opening night, amid anxieties over a return to lockdown or the potential jeopardy of a single test.
Under new rules, dancers perform predominantly in solos and duets, training in bubbles and rehearsing with set partners. Those who live together have been paired together.
Masks were removed on stage on opening night for the very first time.
“On the night it was a mixture of relief and joy to finally look out on the auditorium,” he said.
“To see it as full as it was able to be with social distancing applied, and the dancers gave a fantastic energy in their performances.” And while there have been challenges, amid uncertainty with little income and fears over dancers’ ability to regain fitness, grants from the Cultural Recovery Fund have proved a “lifeline”, said Mr Nixon.
The company, already embracing opportunities in digital, has seen this drastically accelerated in recent months, and believes now this can only grow further.
“The arts is vital for society,” said Mr Nixon. “Everyone consumes arts in some form or another, even if they don’t realise it.
“The theatre adds light to our normal lives and it is that live human connection between artists and audiences that is unique and incredibly valuable.”
Theatre adds light to our normal lives... it is that human connection. David Nixon, Northern Ballet.