Months of preparation have led to this day, the anticipation has been steadily building, the alliance of many minds and bodies have come together over the past four months all led by the partnership of artistic director Paul Bayes Kitcher and Claire Morris executive producer. There have been days of research, a coming together of Risen dancers and professionals, days spent in Tilt studio, Liverpool, sharing our experiences of addiction and recovery, creating movement and dance from all of these collaborations, and weeks of rehearsals at the Lowry. We have had the amazing Kate Flatt and Robert Fox joining us, with their valuable input, until the day to actualize is in our reach.
On the morning of the eighteenth I am choosing a yoga kriya to set up my day, I settle on a set of postures and breathing exercises called 'Becoming like angels' so apropos, all who have been engaged in this fascinating project are angels in their own right, and there is an air of spirituality which hangs over all that is being forged. On the train down to London I take the time to practice my gratitude meditation as i look upon the most beautiful English countryside, I have so much to be grateful for.
On the morning of the eighteenth I am choosing a yoga kriya to set up my day, I settle on a set of postures and breathing exercises called 'Becoming like angels' so apropos, all who have been engaged in this fascinating project are angels in their own right, and there is an air of spirituality which hangs over all that is being forged. On the train down to London I take the time to practice my gratitude meditation as i look upon the most beautiful English countryside, I have so much to be grateful for.
Risen dancers arrive at Floral street in Covent Garden and Claire is telling us about the Bridge of aspirations which is twisting high above our heads, the bridge is so called because connecting the Royal Ballet School to the Royal Opera House ballerinas from the school aspire one day to cross it and walk to one of the worlds most prestigious stages.
As we walk into The Clore studio preparations for this evening have been underway and we are just in time for the tech rehearsal while Fallen Angels get hustling we begin our warm ups and take our turn. Everything seems to be accelerated, we drink, we eat and then we find a way to the dressing room, ahh what fun, tight squeeze in the dressing room, Lyndsy is making alterations to Emily's dress, Kelly is tending to Damiens mohawk, Andy is brushing his teeth and weighing up whether he has time for a shower! Brian has nipped in to take photos, Its all go.
We have arrived at that time again, the adrenalin is coursing through my body, we are outside of the Clore studio which is full of audience members, I am sitting crosslegged and for five minutes i am calmly watching while Fallen Angels and Risen dancers walk the floor, adrenalin physically visible as the dancers jump, pace and stretch, Joseph bounds up smiling from ear to ear, excitement escapes his mouth 'well here we are again, I'm just here trying to dance' Claire comes out from the studio and lets Paul know that they are on in five, and Paul fooling around pulls his face to roars of laughter, and as I remember what is coming in the next ten minutes, I jump up and i shake off the excess energy. I'm really interested in the moments before a performance and the actual performance, I have a heightened awareness of being in the moment, the feeling of being ALIVE, of meditation in motion.
What an incredible experience to be a part of , very inspiring, full of emotion. so many thanks and appreciation to the vision holders Claire and Paul and everyone who supports Fallen Angels and Risen Dance Theatre.