The performance of DanceCyprus’ latest production, Rhapsody took place on Wednesday evening at the Latsia Municipal Theatre. The performance was well attended and mention must be made about what a nice theatre this is with its marble entrance and comfy, staggered seating making the stage clearly visible from all seats.

The founders of DanceCyprus aspire to provide a permanent, professional company to uplift and entertain audiences as well as inspiring dancers and choreographers to believe that they have a future in this country. The tragedy is that Cyprus still does not have a permanent ballet or opera company. Where is the permanent government with funding for these cultural necessities imperative for our artistic and intellectual development? We should all be staging protests that our dancers, singers and musicians are forced to make careers out of the country returning only for a few select presentations.

What is Ballet?

By Saskia Constantinou  

This was the question posed to over one thousand primary school children this last month by Cyprus’ professional ballet company, Dancecyprus in their newly launched educational programme.  

This was the title of their presentation which introduced ballet music and dancers in a straightforward, educational but simultaneously entertaining way. The compact presentation was designed by Catherine Dawson, Founder and Director of Dancecyprus to give an insight into all aspects of ballet. 

Whilst moving from school to school, Catherine had time to elaborate on why this project was, and is so important. “I passionately believe that children in Cyprus should be afforded the same opportunities as their European counterparts. Unfortunately, at the moment, they are on the losing end simply because there is no national ballet company. That is why, I have made it my mission in life, together with the other directors of Dancecyprus, to ensure that our children here who want to become professional ballet dancers, can do so in their own country.”  

Catherine although petite in stature, is like a ball of dynamite in her enthusiasm and drive. She poses me a question “Do you know Saskia, in Cyprus there are more ballet students per capita than any other country? These are statistics from the Royal Academy of Dance – and there is nowhere for them to dance. Cyprus’ talent have positions in top companies all over the world instead of here, where most of them would want to be.” Funding of course, is a major issue.

Catherine explained that forward planning is imperative. “We are fortunate and grateful for the financial support  we do receive of course, but we could be far more effective knowing that we have backing over the next three to five years for example.  One of the major tragedies is that the Cypriot dancers employed abroad want to come back, but dare not without the security of a job. Secured subsidies would allow us to employ them on a full-time basis and of course create many new jobs. Presenting a ballet requires stage hands, set designers, costume makers – all qualified people who are available in Cyprus…” 

“Audience and educational outreach programmes are also very important. We are more aware than ever now that the children are our future audiences. So, we were thrilled with the reaction to our new education programme.” 

The presentations were given in both English and Greek  all around the island, and began by explaining the 500 year old origins of the art form and the reasons for the French terminology. Two dance students of Clare Andreou, Emily Loumba (15 years old), Dancecyprus Junior Associate and Nicole Livera (13 years) gave the Nicosia presentations. Emily has been training for eleven years and Nicole for nine, so the differing levels were outlined. Frosso Hadjigeorgiou trained and prepared the Limassol and Paphos teams comprising dancers Rachel Peters, Erica Vassiliou, Philippa Vush and Christina Souvji with Lambros Lambrou the teacher of Jasmine Knowles who danced in Limassol.  

Chloe Menicou-Stavrou, herself a professional trained dancer and teacher did the Greek presentation at the Ayios Chrysostomos Ioannou Primary School in Lakatamia and at Trimiklini District Primary School, achieving an  immediate rapport with the four groups of children. She had all the children on their feet, having fun trying the steps themselves and feeling the tension of their own muscles stretching.

They were totally engrossed much to the delight of Principal Maria Kasinidou, who emphasized the importance of children being exposed to the arts from an early age. “We are immensely grateful to Dancecyprus for this introduction, and hope that they will return soon. It’s not always easy to take children to performances, so having Dancecyprus come to us was a huge bonus.” 

The children were quite enthralled when Dominic Coombes (11 years old) took the stage. A pupil of Nadia Nicolaides’ Dance Company, Dominic has only been training for eighteen months but his short lyrical sequence and modern jazz solo was charismatic. Ballet training is hard work and has been compared to Olympic sports training - it also requires an incredible amount of discipline but builds strength, agility, stamina and of course over the time, skill.

So, it is the best training for other dance styles.  The children also had the opportunity to see and feel “pointe shoes” and a “tu-tu” with the presentation concluding with a question and answer session. The older children responded with clever questions much to the delight of the presenters. Dawson attributes an important part of the success of this initial education programme to the preparation of the students prior to the company’s arrival.

“We had a pack for each teacher outlining our presentation,  cd’s with the music, quizzes and questionnaires and this we feel, made a positive contribution. Some of the preparatory work done by the schools was phenomenal.”   It is universally acknowledged that repetition and continued involvement and education is of paramount importance.

In the words of Margot Fonteyn “Minor things can become moments of great revelation when encountered for the first time.” How will DanceCyprus continue to maintain this initial spark of interest and excitement?     

“We have got this far with a lot of perseverance and hard work in Dancecyprus – the schools have opened their doors willingly and enthusiastically with invitations to return soon with other presentations. This of course we will follow up. 

What is Ballet? will be presented in other schools too. The second Dancecyprus Educational Programme is planned for November and, funding permitting, will involve professional Dancecyprus dancers rather than students.  

Ideally, we should be returning to each school every few months but” she laughingly adds, “it does come back to the question of finances and manpower. In order to be hugely successful, and build a solid foundation, we undoubtedly need government support.” Is the government responding? “Yes, although we would like everything to move a little faster.

At a recent meeting with the Minister of Education and Culture, it was understood that Cyprus is the only European country without a permanent professional ballet company and that steps must be taken. ” 

Can individuals and members of the public help in any way to drive the artistic level of the country? “Of course, we would love to encourage everyone to log onto our website and become a Friend of Dancecyprus – www.dancecyprus.org