The opening night of ‘Sensual Africa’ was at the South Holland Arts Centre in Spalding and as we started the day’s rehearsal, the reality of touring began to sink in. The change of space and floor was a big difference to that of our production week at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre. However we all powered through and made the most of the space we had. Soon after it only was five minutes before we were due to step on stage for the first performance of the new piece and the nerves started to kick in, nevertheless there was a great sense of excitement amongst the group. After the performance we all felt that it was a great start to the spring tour and we hope it will continue to progress and develop.
Our second performance was at the Stamford Arts Centre Lincolnshire, we all knew after the good start we had in Spalding, this performance had to step up and get better. A few of us also had the added pressure of family and friends watching. Personally this performance was a breakthrough in terms of my character. For weeks we have all been searching for a certain character to bring to ‘Sensual Africa,’ to give each of us a little individuality and to portray the true meaning of the piece. As a group we all had a great night performing and in our words, we were ‘buzzing!’
Our most recent performance was at The Dock, County Leitrim, Ireland. It always feels like a bit of a holiday when we fly to Ireland, and although Ellen, Katie and I had a slight detour on the way to the airport (Katie put us on the wrong train, yes Katie!) we all got to Ireland and settled into our apartments. This was definitely the most fun so far, Lisa and I both played housewives for the evening, cooking dinner whilst Anna and Katie were teaching a workshop. I am proud to say the dinner Lisa and I made was ‘delish.’
The next day we were in the theatre rehearsing for the evening performance, unfortunately without Travis as he had injured his hamstring. This was definitely the smallest venue we had visited so far, but we all managed to pull together. We gave each other a lot of encouragement throughout, we used the speakers on the side of the stage as props to sit on and interact with our fellow dancers. Thankfully Travis was able to pull through and dance the majority of the piece, well done Trav!
As of now the piece is going well and we all hope that it will continue to excel and reach its full potential by the end of the tour.
Take a sneak preview of Sensual Africa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j31SdFCRZJIYou can see Lauren and the rest of Tavaziva Dance perform this Spring at the following venues!
16 February – Brunton Theatre, MUSSELBURGH - www.bruntontheatre.co.uk
24 & 25 February – Pegasus Theatre, OXFORD* - www.pegasustheatre.org.uk
6 March – Backstage Theatre, COUNTY LONGFORD - www.backstage.ie
9 March – Buxton Opera House, BUXTON- www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk
13 & 14 March – The Place, LONDON* - www.theplace.org.uk
22 March – Bridport Arts Centre, BRIDPORT* - www.bridport-arts.com
24 March –Bernie Grant Arts Centre, HARINGEY* - www.berniegrantcentre.co.uk
*Performances with live music played by Douglas Thorpe
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