Erina Takahashi filmed by Laurent Liotardo for Dance Gazette. Make-up: Ophelia Liu. Based on Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s Laid in Earth (English National Ballet): make-up by Natasha Lawes (digital) and Amelia Carrington Lee and Craig Forest-Thomas (stage).
Issue 2 – October 2021
Have I ever saved face? Sometimes. Lost face? Often. Faced up to problems? Reluctantly. And put a brave face on things? Most of the goshdarn time.
Have I ever saved face? Sometimes. Lost face? Often. Faced up to problems? Reluctantly. And put a brave face on things? Most of the goshdarn time.
This issue of Dance Gazette examines the face we present to the world. As the RAD launches a portrait competition for its new London home, we get tips from leading portrait artists and discover more about the subject of the competition, RAD founder Adeline Genée. A choreographer and curator also meet to discuss an earlier artist, French master Nicolas Poussin, and his fascination with dance.
For dancers, the face they present is shaped by make-up; delve into our enthralling history of ballet slap, from chalk and rice powder to the stinky grease of sperm whales. Happily, no whales were harmed or stench produced in our enchanting cover film with English National Ballet – instead, marvel at the painstaking layers on ballerina Erina Takahashi’s face, crowned with a glistening brush of gold leaf. It’s magical.
There’s no magic solution to creating a more inclusive and welcoming atmosphere in dance studios, especially for dancers of colour, but we learn about practical steps to help teachers make their classes truly inviting. And young dancers from across the globe have just been involved in The Fonteyn International Ballet Competition – we report from the final.
This is just the second digital-only issue of Dance Gazette, and we’d love to know what you think. Please use the feedback buttons on each article or email gazette@rad.org.uk. Don’t hold back – we can face it.
David Jays
Editor
Paint job
From chalk and lard to gold leaf and mascara: Vera Rule reveals the hidden history of ballet make-up.
Picture this
As the RAD launches a portrait competition for its new London headquarters, Sarah Crompton asks leading portrait artists how they capture a personality in paint.
Living doll
The RAD’s new portrait competition celebrates its first President, Adeline Genée. But who was she – and how did she rise from the music hall to the peak of British ballet? Carol Martin reveals the woman behind the porcelain princess.
Founding father
The French painter Poussin is often called the father of classicism. He was also fascinated by dance – so Rosemary Waugh asks a choreographer and a curator to delve into his paintings.
Shake it up
As calls for racial equity in dance teaching grow, Isaac Ouro-Gnao asks what tangible action looks like and explores how to bring about change.
Walk tall
A migrant child crossed Europe this summer. What makes Amal unusual is that she is an 11-foot puppet who draws crowds wherever she goes. She began her journey in Turkey, where Altuğ Akin sees her welcomed by Izmir’s folk dancers.
SHORT READS Issue 2 – October 2021
Fonteyn 2021
We report from the Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition, held entirely online for the very first time.
Read more
Yami ‘Rowdy’ Lofvenberg
Her school teachers called her stupid, but the hip-hop choreographer and teacher has found a defiant voice through dance. She explains the importance of being rowdy.
Read more
Mia Zanardo
A gold medallist at the last in-person Genée competition recalls the evening, and describes staying motivated through the pandemic in Sydney.
Read more
Didy Veldman
The Dutch choreographer shares her best advice: chase your dreams!
Read more
Drew McOnie
The choreographer and director is creating a new ballet about the young Merlin. Is his playlist magical too?
Read more
MORE ISSUES
CLASSIC CARLOS
Issue 3 – February 2022
Few dancers delight a theatre audience like Carlos Acosta. The Cuban star is a classical artist and an undoubted charismatic – and although nudging 50, he continues to test himself and to give a frisson to challenging new work.
FRESH START
Issue 1 – June 2021
The very first fully digital issue of Dance Gazette is all about embracing change. We explore impactful change: on stage, in sustainability, for young dancers entering the profession. Plus, breakdance!