Excitement has slowly been mounting for months and as December approaches, it has now reached fever pitch among the 300 or so children who regularly make their way to a building in Old College Street, Slliema.
The show is even worth missing the footie for
No, Christmas is not the reason for the fervent activity underway at Brigitte Gauci Borda School of Ballet – it is the upcoming performance of Peter Pan that has children in a twirl.
Having ferried my own three budding ballet dancers to and from rehearsals, listening to chatter about sword fights, Lost Boys, Indians and Ponies, I couldn’t resist sneaking a peak as the principal dancers rehearsed one Saturday afternoon.
Peter Pan (Alison Zammit), Tinkerbell (Michaela Dimech), Captain Hook (Rachel Damato), Wendy (Bernice Bonnici), John (Nicky Aquilina), Michael (Ryan Calleja) and Nana (Victoria Pavlova) tirelessly worked through one number after another as they concentrated on perfecting each move, each posture under the guidance of Brigitte Gauci Borda.
Despite the gap in their ages which range from nine to 23, the dancers worked as a unit dedicated to the task at hand. For some like Alison, Michaela and Rachel, this is one in a long line of performances; a ballet different to any other they have danced in previously.
For the younger dancers, Peter Pan is their first major show although Nicky and Ryan both performed in Swan Lake in 2009 while this is Victoria’s first experience of performing in public.
The endearing story of Peter Pan is being performed to music by a variety of composers including Georges Bizet to choreography by the school’s faculty and Kim White who flew in from New York earlier this summer. Brigitte Gauci Borda is the artistic director for this production. The cast consists of the entire student body of BGB School of Ballet including those studying the disciplines of jazz and hip hop.
Having spent the afternoon perfecting their roles, the dancers are weary but satisfied with the progress made this afternoon.
Victoria tells me that “rehearsals are hard work. We need to remember many dances and dance for a long time so it is very tiring but it is great fun,” as the others nod their agreement and Ryan interjects that “it is even worth missing the footie for”.
An animated discussion then ensues about the highlight of the story: Victoria and Bernice both vote for the opening scene while the various sword fights are sure winners for Alison and Nicky.
Michaela opts for children’s capture as it gives her character dept while Ryan’s favourite is the closing scene; he’s enjoyed mastering the new steps and turns.
Over the course of the following week, the school’s dreessing rooms turn into a riot of colour as costumes start to make their appearance. As each class arrives for rehearsals, the muisc coming from the studios is intermixed with squeals of excitement as young dancers finally get their hands on costumes they have been waiting for seemingly forever.
As the big weekend draws nearer, the school will be deserted as the hub of activity moves to St Agatha’s auditorium for the final rehearsals. There, the excitement will reach a whole new level as the performance takes to the special environment of the theatre.
Performances at St Agatha Theatre in Rabat will take place on Saturday (7.30 p.m.) and Sunday (6.30 p.m.). Tickets at €15 are available from BGB School of Ballet, Old College Street, Sliema or at the door 30 minutes before the show.