Quick these kids in every sense.

So now at the end of the third week the pattern is established. Josef and Marta are always in the "theatre" well before the hordes arrive, quietly practising their own personal routine. Setting an example and the tone. The young people arrive and know now to find their own space and to stand tall. The rigourous but enjoyable training session lasts some two hours, building first inner strength and awareness, followed by controlled physical movements, most times to really great music, at others to strange rhythmic sounds produced by Josef.


Then an explosion of energy. How they can jump! And run - and how fast - and stop! And the rhythm and passion with which they dance! And the increasing confidence with which they improvise, more able now to feel at ease in this safe space. More able too to change mood and activity in a second. After the exercise a return to inner calm and stillness.

A break and work on the 'Firebird' begins Some of what went on in the training session is incorporated into the piece, some new sequences learnt, involving a few, many or all, previous scenes tidied up or a run through of the whole.


Never boring, it would seem Josef is mindful not to over-rehearse to maintain a high level of energy and passion. The piece is just 40 minutes long and his aim is to achieve about 2 minutes new choreography a day, leaving adequate time for 'cleaning' as he calls it in the last week. I am very impressed how quickly these movements are assimilated. So it can be when youngsters give their full undivided attention.

Quick these 'kids' in every sense

Viv