Behind s(cr)een

Behind the s(cr)een at the New Wimbledon Theatre, (c) Carole Edrich 2012

Last Friday I went to the New Wimbledon Theatre for the photocall of Richard Alston’s latest work, Buzzing Round the Hunisuccle before its World Premier at the same place the next day. He gave us far more time and attention than almost any other choreographer (the only one as generous that I can think of is Deborah Colker although Shobana Jeyasing is up there too). His team even removed a ‘blot’ from the screen as it would have looked like camera dust on our images. If only other choreographers (and PRs) were as thoughtful of the photographers, they’d get better images which would inevitably sell their work better in the nationals and popular press.

Richard Alston gave us the opportunity to shoot images from each of his works which have been created to contrast the three short Kondo compositions. I’ll post some showing this later. First I thought I’d have some fun.

Preparing for the photocall, (c) Carole Edrich 2013. Left to right, James Pett, Andrew Macleman, Nathan Goodman

The people working behind-screen in this set reminded me of the answer that Alistair Spalding mentioned in his contribution to a round-up I wrote for Dance Today and am now developing into a book. I hope to interview Richard Alston for it too. If you’re interested in the feature itself (which commemorates Greenwich Dance‘s 20th anniversary celebrations and the departure of their director Brendan Keaney), contact Dance Today and ask for a copy of this month’s magazine. It includes quotes from Darcey Bussell, Ruth MacKenzie, Hofesh Sheckter, Ben Wright, Tommy Franzén, Paul Russ, Shobana Jeyasingh, Simon Selmon, Kav-Man, Cathy Marston and Robin Windsor. I wanted to include more Strictly and ballroom stars but they’re all working hard on forthcoming competitions so am thinking about what to write that will involve them later in the year.