October 16th, 2014
As soon as we are back from New York we have to pack our suitcases again! This time it doesn’t go quite so far away, but still there is a lively atmosphere of departure in our corridors. Our destination: the Austrian city of St. Pölten. St. Pölten is the provincial capital of Lower Austria and is regarded as the cultural metropolis par excellence. We will perform in the Festspielhaus there, which is regarded as the most striking contemporary theatre and a leader in the field of dialogue between tradition and modernity. Our programme »Ein William Forsythe Ballettabend« fits perfectly with the modern architecture of the theatre. At eight o’clock this morning our technicians, our pianist José Franco and our first ballet master Gamal Gouda set off to prepare everything in advance. Sound and light have to be tested and adjusted.
October 17th, 2014
While our dancers are still sweating during rehearsals here in Dresden, our technicians are sweating on stage in St. Pölten. Today they are responsible for the light and sound equipment and the layout of the dance floor. Among other things, the lighting settings for »In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated« and »New Suite« have to be set up, but thanks to the experienced lighting designer Tanja Rühl this should not be a problem. Tonight we dance »Romeo and Juliet« again before we start the long bus ride to St. Pölten early the next morning.
October 18th, 2014
Do we have everything? Enough point shoes? The booking codes for our hotel? Well then we’re ready to go. Via the Czech Republic we will drive to St. Pölten 450 kilometres away to perform tomorrow with our program »A William Forsythe Ballet Evening«. During the bus ride we quickly sewed our shoes for the next evening and then maybe rested a bit - after all it will be a exhausting weekend.
October 19th, 2014
Tonight we will perform our programme on the stage of the Festspielhaus. But first of all there is a normal training on the program, after all we have to recover our bones and muscles from the long bus ride yesterday. Maybe not a normal training - it doesn't take place as usual in the ballet hall, but directly on stage! Very good, so we can take a look at the conditions right away. After a short lunch break we continue directly with a costume rehearsal. We are very happy that dramaturge Anne Gerber will introduce the play tonight. At 6 p.m. it's time - our premiere of »Ein William Forsythe Ballettabend« in the Festspielhaus St. Pölten!
October 20th, 2014
It was a great performance, the audience was thrilled! But as great as it was, today the »beautiful spook« is already over. The suitcases are packed, the truck full of costumes, light and sound technology and the bus is ready to go. We enjoyed performing in such a modern theatre, but are also looking forward to home and the Semper Opera stage. On the stage we will be the day after tomorrow, Wednesday, again with Stijn Celis »Romeo and Juliet« to experience.
Photo: Festspielhaus St. Pölten © eSeL.at/Joanna Pianka