rehearsals continue!

Wow! Long time since my last post. The company was off a week and then back last week and this week for more rehearsals. I got there on Friday (and will return this Thursday). My visit coincided with a lot going on. E-Talk Daily was making a visit to the set and I shot this pic of Moze shooting the scene being observed by the E-Talk cameraman. I wonder if someone behind me was taking a picture of me taking a picture of Moze taking a picture of....

The camera crew arrived not long after I got there and a break was called to allow for interviews. Nico is amazingly easygoing and comfortable in almost any situation it seems. There is nothing of the star or diva in him, just a hard worker and a nice guy. As they were waiting, I overheard E-Talk interviewer Sharon Stokes remark to someone how graceful Nico looked. On camera, she asked Greta Hodgkinson if she had learned anything from working with him so far and Nico was quick to say that he was learning from her. A gracious man!

I am amazed by how hard everyone is working to make things stretch. Production Co-Ordinator Mikey Lalonde (whose picture didn't get in last time, so here it is now) was, as usual, wearing five hats at once as he continued to organize production details, track the rehearsal progress, shoot rehearsal video and deal with a hundred other details. Mikey has energy equal to the dancers and I sometimes think in his lightfooted running around, that he is going to spring into a sudden leap or tour jete!

Throughout the day, everyone in the room struggled valiantly with the noise coming from the hiphop rehearsal that was happening in the adjacent studio. The pounding rhythm was a far cry from the sensitive Prokofiev piano score that was serving as a rehearsal track. I was impressed with how everyone coped with it, though at the end of the day some discussion occurred as to whether rehearsal might move to a new location. In the end, they have stayed where they are and are hoping for the best.

Although rehearsals began early that day, my day began with Greta and Nico rehearsing a duet. Despite their differing traditions, they have a natural sympatico and a growing stage chemistry. I have been really impressed by how much Matjash Mrozewski's choreography serves the muscularity in both Nureyev and Nico's gifts, while retaining the balletic sensibility. While Greta is just always beautiful. Her (seemingly) effortless work and humour are a wonderful gift to the process. Even if this pose of her "relaxing" in a break with Matjash would agonize my body to even attempt!

In the afternoon, after the E-Talk interviews, focus moved to the trio of Nico and the two Russian "Authority Figures" who represent those trying to prevent Nureyev from defecting. I was very moved again by this dance. Matjash has a real talent for combining the emotional sensibilities of a scene while also allowing strong character moves that help to tell story. There are wonderful beats in this trio in which the 'bureaucrats' slowly try their best to subdue and retain a defiant Nureyev. It also allows a chance for us to see Nico's acting ability which is emerging strongly as we go. A talented guy! This is the great excitement of rehearsal, when details of story and emotional line start to lift into life. Lots more to come!