In Conversation with Soloist Georgia Swan —

Our 2018 Pointe Shoe Appeal ambassador gives us an insight into her performance preparation, and the vital role pointe shoes and our ballet wardrobe play.

What is your backstage ritual?

Before each performance, I prepare with a warm-up routine. I usually arrive at the theatre at least two hours prior to the show to allow plenty of time to feel relaxed and focused.

At the theatre I generally go to the gym and jump on the bike to get my legs moving before warm-up barre class with the company. Then I go to my dressing room to get ready. If it’s classic ballet make-up we do it ourselves and each dancer has their own make-up kit. For a special character such as the Firebird which requires detailed make-up, QB’s make-up stylists will assist. Sometimes we are given a photo to copy from if there’s a particular style for a production.

If I’m playing a character with a wig, such as Edith in La Bayadère, our wig stylist Michael Green will help me put this on. Then I put on my pointe shoes and the last step is getting into costume. Our wardrobe staff may provide assistance depending on the costume, for Edith the dress had buttons all the way up the back so I needed help.

We have to be in costume and ready by the half-hour call. Then we go upstairs to side stage, ready at least 10 minutes before the curtain goes up. All the dancers continue warming up and stretching in the wings.

If I’m doing two shows in one day I generally stay at the theatre all day. I did go to the gym with my wig on during La Bayadère, it must have been
a funny sight!

Whose costume would you most like to wear?

Marianela Nuñez, she’s a Principal with The Royal Ballet and has been there for 20 years. I’ve seen her perform and follow her career, watching all her performances online. She is my favourite dancer of all time, my inspiration! Not only is she a real technician, her artistry and ability to tell a story is incredible.

For certain performances, we have costumes from other ballet companies with the name of each dancer who has worn the costume listed on the name tag along with the production and the company where it has been worn before. I love looking at the details on the tag, each of these costumes has had a life on stage somewhere else in the world! When I was in Swan Lake, my name tag was Swan, Swan, Swan!
 

Is there a performance moment that is particularly memorable?

Yes, standing in the wings just before the curtain went up for Ben Stevenson’s Swan Lake in 2017. This was my first Principal role. There is something special about a white tutu. When people think of ballet, most people think of Swan Lake. It was so exciting and special, such a surreal moment.

It’s nice to forget about the stress in these moments and just be excited. These moments make all the hard work worthwhile.

Once my costume is on and I’m in the wings my nerves subside as there is nothing more you can do except enjoy performing.

You were recently promoted to Soloist during the La Bayadère season, was this a complete surprise?

When we see Li in the wings we know something is happening. It was my second performance as Edith. Joel and Vito were squeezing my hands once we had done our bow, and I had no idea why. Not for one second did
I think it was going to be me. I was thinking how lucky I am to do this. Being promoted didn’t cross my mind. It was especially memorable because my Mum was there, and it was a complete surprise. Then Mary Li brought her backstage and I cried when I saw her because I was so happy!

Had you ever worn a wig before playing Edith?

I have worn lots of headpieces, extensions and fringes, but not a full wig. Some people didn’t recognise me as Edith in her bright red wig. It’s fun to try different hair colours. Some dancers had to dye their hair darker so we all looked the same in the Shades scene. Hair colour is a detail that needs to be considered as part of the costume for each character.

How many pointe shoes do you go through in a season?

It depends on what we are doing. For La Bayadère I went through 2-3 pairs a week and wore a new pair for each performance of Edith. That was 10 pairs for the season, not including rehearsals.

I sew all my own ribbons. Every dancer has a particular way of preparing their pointes. I cut the sole and darn the ends. When I joined QB I talked to Amy Hollingsworth, QB Ballet Mistress and Creative

Associate, about improving the line of my feet and she suggested cutting the sole. Everyone’s feet are different so it’s really specific to each dancer. If you were to line the shoes up they would all be different from sole thickness to width. I remove the felt inner-sole, then cut and shave
it down. I pull the heel out and glue along the bottom and the side.
My feet are strong and bendy, so I need a lot of support.

How long does it take to prepare each pair of pointe shoes?

It takes about an hour to do each pair. Darning takes time so I try to do a few before each production. Many dancers do it in front of the TV, but I get distracted when I watch TV! Janette Mulligan, QB Ballet Mistress and Artistic Coordinator, is keeper of the shoes and she organises our pointe shoes.

Can you describe your experience of a dress rehearsal for us?

Dress Rehearsal feels like Opening Night. We’ve tried out our costumes and rehearsed with the lighting and sets but it’s the first time with an audience, so I get a little nervous. We can’t stop and have to treat it like an actual show.

When the audience goes home we stay in the theatre and go through the notes. Usually we finish at 10pm and if we haven’t got through all the notes we come in the next day to finish. When technical notes are given, we practice the correct steps on the spot. If it’s a general core spacing issue, everyone gets on stage and corrects it together.

Are there any roles you would love to play?

Manon because I love dramatic stories and the acting part of it would be such fun. It’s a pure classical ballet, with all the drama. It is so challenging I think it would be very rewarding to be able to do it. Swan Lake was the other one I was lucky enough to do.