This is the first episode in the series where the team have recorded separately in lockdown.  The vocals have cleverly been mixed together by Chris Hobson.  This is due to the global pandemic of Covid-19.  We hope the quality has not been compromised too much!

The team quickly address the current climate of Corona Virus and briefly discuss how they are still able to keep producing episodes remotely through the wonders of modern technology, and how they are coping with the self-isolation individually.

As usual, the team throw to David initially to talk about the similarities and differences between the barre adage and centre adage, and how in the centre there are very little restrictions because there is no barre, and more space to move and exploit all directions and lines possible.  David also reveals how he loves the music to be slightly grander than the barre adage.

The team also discuss the steps that can be included in the adage as a way of preparing for turns and jumps that happen later in class.  For example, promenades in the adage become pirouettes in those positions, and jumps such as fouetté sauté can be rehearsed slowly in the adage.

For music, the team all agree in this episode that the quality of the adage music in the centre is similar to that of the barre adage, namely slow, legato, full textured, and sensitive to the choreography.

The pianists talk about how they accompany the centre adage in a different way than they would the barre adage, with more sensitivity to the individual dancer’s wants and needs as they stand unaided in the centre, and perhaps need more space in the music.

Listen out for the metaphor of Haagen Dazs ice cream, whereby you save it for a special occasion and it should be luxurious and used sparingly and expensively.