Dancers in Rehearsal for Double Take

It's a Tuesday, and the Tavaziva dancers are having their weekly ballet class with Denzil Bailey, after an exciting and jam packed hour and a half the dancers stretch waiting for Bawren to arrive so that they can begin their day of work. A few jokes and stories are shared before the dancers get down to business. The piece is in its third week of rehearsal, the material is starting to take shape and the dancers are getting used to working on a brand new piece. Bawren is a very hands-on choreographer and will step into the dancers’ places to demonstrate the way he wants something done, whilst the other dancers mirror his movements so that they can execute it in the way in which he intends it. Bawren doesn't work with counts, he relies more on rhythms and music, therefore the dancers have to work extra hard to get everything looking polished and well rehearsed.

I watched the dancers rehearse a long section of movement in pairs, it was fascinating to see the pairs do the same movement, equally as good but with their different qualities, and every time are advised to “keep the spirit flowing” by Bawren. I watched on in awe as the dancers’ bodies melded together, with the sequence flowing from move to move across the space, lifts, jumps, runs all completed with intention.

Bawren reminds the dancers to “be true to the movement”, they are required to execute the movement in the exact way in which the choreographer wants. To emphasise his points, Bawren uses imagery and emotions to spark energy and certain relationships between his dancers, and this is what they rely on to get themselves into the certain mood or emotion which is required for particular sections. Moreover, Bawren is open to suggestion and change of movement from the dancers, according to how the moves fit within their bodies and with specific partners. It is also interesting to see how easily the dancers pick up the choreography, remember it and can repeat a certain section with only a few seconds notice from Bawren.

It is evident that among the dancers (both old and new) there is an element of family within the company. The dancers have to trust one another immensely with all the lifts, balances and sequences that they do, it seems that they are also there to support each other, both in and outside of the studio; and are always on hand to give each other advice.

Even by watching this snippet of an early rehearsal, it is possible to see the piece forming quickly with structure. I am excited to see what happens next and in which direction the piece is taken, watch this space...