The past week's been a tad manic with prep for performance last night, Graham Assessment, recovering from hangover on Tues morning............

Don't know yet if I'm going home for Xmas yet, but I really hope so! I'll obviously get bored after 2 days, but Xmas is a time for family and friends and huge big presents! Won't be able to smoke much either! Eek! Oh Well!

My first term here at Laban has been fun, but it feels like it's gone by so quickly! I now have to prepare for the craziness that is term 2! Notation assignment over the holidays, reading in prep for Historical Project, CV fitness, Quad strengthening....you get the jist!

Before all that though I have an alternative end of term shindig tonight! The costume related theme is Terrorgasm! My imagination has gone completely wild and I plan to get a teensy bit drinked!

Hope everyone has a fantastic Xmas and a disturbingly drunken New Year! See you in 2004!

She wasn't as completely hardcore in technique classes as I had imagined and was up for a bit of banter, which was really nice! Detail! Detail! Detail! Talk about anally retentive, although having been a member of the company for 200 years, she has every right to be! She had such a pleasant way of using images, so out went meat hooks and in came holding babies! Demonstrating in the class was former teacher here, Kim Jones, who is now a fully fledged member of the company. Her movement quality is so dramatic, but not in a naff, fake kind of way!

We also had Miki for Rep, where we learned a section from Night Journey. This was a lot of fun. Firstly, we were taught the movement, then split into 6's to establish the 'vital' spacing between each other. This was hilarious, as the first thing we did was run for 5 counts across the stage, turn to the front and plié in 2nd, slapping our thighs as we stopped. So on goes Allan with his (slightly!) longer legs than me ladies! Let?s just say it wasn't my greatest ever performance. Enjoyed it much still!

It was fantastic just be in the same room as these people, never mind being taught by them. Both Miki and Kim were so nice and couldn't have been more helpful with any questions they were asked. Great experience! Started feeling really strong, although that was possibly psychological!

So after a great 3 days, what could I do to end on a high? Go and see Rambert at Sadlers Wells!

The only thing that almost ruined the night for me, was sitting with a group of school girls behind me! Everything was funny to them! Someone pointing their foot to a male/female duet, with the girl grabbing the boys derriere then making it dance! Ok! I'll let that one slip! The programme was fantastic! The low point probably being the 'maybe' better on second viewing? Living Toys! The high point, without a question of doubt, Wayne McGregor's PreSentient!

It's the first time I've seen it and found myself uncontrollably smiling all the way through! Out of this world! Can't not mention Elsa Canasta. Shockingly(!) began with 2 guys preparing to get it on! It still had the Rambert 'wow' factor, although not quite as much PreSentient. Some parts were really funny, like the bum dancing etc. I do love toilet humour! All in all, a good night out at the theatre dahling!

After that I've now definitely decided to join Rambert when I've graduated! In the words of Julie Andrews;
it's a very good place to start!?

I have taken into consideration the lack of celebrity sightings, but it's just something I'm going to have to deal with!

So, if you know anyone looking for weekend staff with 4 years retail experience, let me know!

So, I'm a dance student! Let's talk about that for a change! Feeling rather good at the moment!

Getting ever so sweaty no matter what the class which is good, although anyone who knows me is already aware of my overactive sweat glands!
Over the last while, I've become the regular little theatre goer! Cream of the crop was Martha's crew at Sadlers Wells on Wednesday night! Not only do the Graham dancers look good, they are amazing! (Almost used fowl language there to emphasize my point!) Maple Leaf Rag was pick of the night! I am aware that some people hate it, but technically it was fabulous. Add to that a touch of humour and you've got yourself a really enjoyable piece of dance!

Can barely contain myself about next week!

Two of the Graham dancers are doing a 3 day residency with my year! Monday and Tuesday we have technique classes, then Tuesday and Wednesday, we have Rep! Then to top it all off, I'm going to see Rambert on Wednesday night! AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!

Unfortunately, I went to a performance at The Bonnie Bird, here at Laban, last night. Maresa von Stockart presented Beyond the Seven Seas which had some really nice sections, but sadly she must have forgotten that transitions between sections is vital to hold a piece together! Oh Well! It gets worse though! k|n|d|c premiered a piece called Adaptation and a trio under the title Methods of Display and Concealment. PANTS! That's all I really want to say about them! I welcome the idea that contemporary dance doesn't need a classical soundtrack, but these pieces were verging on a full scale rave! I'm also not a big fan of movement which looks like you're taking a fit! Add to that dozens of pointless high kicks and you have yourself a truly eye opening hour!

Must go now as my computer's going to shut itself down!
Byee!

Things have been going really well here in Deptford/Greenwich! Making lots of new friends but working pretty hard at the same time. Living alone in student halls is taking its toll. I’m surrounded by ruddy music students.

It’s not that I don’t love music, because I do, it’s the fact that they ONLY play scales ALL DAY!

Just have to grin and bear, since I was stupid enough to sign a years contract, which I can’t get out of! Oh well! Life goes on!

I had my very first Laban assessment today for Cunningham. Is it just me, or does everyone else always have an awful class when it matters! The whole thing was a bit of booboo, but hey, I gave it my best shot….well, I gave it a shot! I did manage to scrape back some dignity with the last jumps sequence. I do love my legs!

Last week was a reading week, as Laban(Stirling Prize winner 2003!) was hosting the IADMS conference. Had to make a ‘self portrait’ for choreography! FUN! Making paper mache mask and painting it with reflective colours! How posh is that! Didn’t actually do much reading, did drink a lot though! Shenanigans ahoy! Met (and drunkenly!) chatted to Alex and Alistair from Fame Academy, then Terry from The Salon. A Reality TV show fan’s dream come true! A tad ashamed but times a healer. To top my splendiferous week of insanity, I went to China White! Exactly as I expected it to be! Full of pretentious losers. Had a great time though, and saw Heidi from Sugababes going into the ladies!

Feel like I’m getting on quite well here. Met up with Cat last week, and she asked me if I had any regrets about coming here. Without even having to think about it, I said “No!” I feel really at home here already. I do sometimes get pangs for Scotland, especially when I heard Flower of Scotland at the start of the Scotland v USA Rugby match. Shocker! Allan watches sports! Well not so much, I just couldn’t find the remote. It’s nice reading Lewis’ weblogg and getting Dundee updates. I do miss those guys much, but hey I live in London! Why wouldn’t they want to come and visit!

Selfridges is going goodly too! Giorgio Armani came in to visit his denim collection and I served Phil Spencer from Location, Location, Location. All you Heat readers will understand my excitement. Everyone’s really nice to me which is fab.

I promise not to leave it so long next time updating you on my latest celebrity sightings...oh, and how the dancing thang is going!

Byee!

Everyone is so nice and have taken me under their giant 'Year2' wing!

Back to the beginning! First day was scary, but not so bad because I had someone in my group from Dundee (Remember I was in the Year1 class for a week!), registered and had my ID card given to me! I felt so special! It's got my picture on it!

That weekend, went to see Smallpetitklein, After the show, I went out with them and got absolutley hammered! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ME! When we left the place we were in (at about 4 am!) This girl I had been befriended (she was one of the dancers friends!) started going up to these foreign peeps and asking them to sing Happy Birthday to me in their mother tongue! It was so good, I got about 9 different languages! City of Culture or what!

First week was good, really nice, easy start, getting to know the building and stuff!

That Friday I joined Year 2! Was so nervous I almost pee'd my pants! Everyone was really sweet to the new boy! That night I got absolutley hammered again at the local pub, which was home to the Labanites that night! I went to meet Cat and teacher Cath from Dundee for drinks at 3, and didn't stop drinking until I passed out in bed! I payed the price the following day! I sang on the bloody Karaoke for cryin out loud! Made a bit of an clown of myself, but it well and truly broke the ice with me new classmates!

Got a really good timetable, Tues and Wed, don't start til 10.30 and Fri I finish at 3pm! Crakin! It's because I didn't choose any electives this term as I have to catch up with Labanotation! (EEK!) Have Classical Ballet and Cunnigham every day for a while then I switch to Graham, thank god! Met a girl called Alex who went to Northern with my friend from home. She lived with him in his foundation year! She's my new friend!

Back to the here and now, as I said I was off Mon and Tues due to a mystery(!) illness! But back to work today! Did a small scale Site-specific project this afternoon which was fun! Going to see a MA performance in about 26 minutes, so I should really wrap this thing up!

Start my new job in Selfridges on Saturday which I'm most excited about! I saw Sarah from Girls Aloud on my 'on-the-job' evaluation day!

Anyhoo, I'm off to watch the movement we like to call dance!

"Will my class like me?"

Now this may sound silly (especially to people who know me!!!!) but I experienced it at The Space. A girl came to join my class at the beginning of 2nd year, and looking back, we were really horrible to her! It wasn't that we didn't like her, it was a simple fact that she was an intruder in our already tight group!

Breathe!

And exhale!

I must admit though, there were about half the number of people at The Space than there will be at Laban. I'm holding on to this thought as tight as possible! Another bonus is the new 2nd years start a week earlier, giving us a chance to bond!

Apart from this daunting thought process, I'm actually really excited! I can't wait to get down there and get the 1st day over and done with! I'm really looking forward to seeing Cat again! Her cheery face! Her cheeky smile! And her overcharged tongue! Man alive, can she talk!

I've just booked my flight online, and trying desperately to buy my new togs from dance direct, but I've lost my catalogue! EEK!

Can you tell from this eratic little log, that I'm hyper! MUCH!

Enough from me, before I burst a blood vessle!

F.A.O Lewis
I'm much glad to hear they're breaking you in easy up at The Space! As you've probably now guessed, I've left, but my spirit lives on! Now as an outsider, I can safely say, Savour each moment of the great experience The Space has to offer. It's a unique place and you won't find an institution, students or friends like it!

Sniff! I'm off to mop up my tears! Bye! See you in London!

While in London, I happened to audition for a little known school called Laban. A couple of weeks ago, a letter fell through my letterbox to tell me I was being offered a place in 2nd year! OK then!

So in a week, Allan is packing his bags and heading back to good ole London town. I am so excited I may pee my pants! Trying to find lots of pennies now so that I can eat and stuff (although this isn't essential!!!!!!!!) as well as having a roof , four walls and bed to sleep on!

N.B. Donations are more than welcome!!

My accomodation's been confirmed (expensive much!) in a brand new 'student village' (see www.thestudentvillage.co.uk) Maybe that advert will allow them to reduce my rent...............

Yeah right! Stayin with me ole mate Cat for a couple of days before I start at Laban, very excited! May have to remember the good ole days with a bottle(or 6!) of plonk!

Rock on Lambrini!

Big welcome to young(maybe!) Lewis! I hand over my crown as king of the Dundee Bloggers to you!
Good luck for the future and may the lord be with you! Have fun in Dee! It's a lovely city and there's much fun(drink!) to be had! Don't let the girls tell you what to do! (Esp. Vixen in 3rd year!) 'moan the boys!

Sorry it's so short and sweet, but I'm awfully tired! So I'm going to go, but think of this! Why does Donald Duck wear a towel when leaving the shower, but never wore any trousers?

Note to Paul: Variety is the spice of life!!!

The last couple of weeks have been ultra focussing on the end of year show!
Now that we're in production week, the nerves are at boiling point!
This isn't helped by the fact I broke my pinky toe on Thursday!
I spent most of the Thursday in A&E, watching ER (how ironic!!)
It's all strapped up, and I'm popping the painkillers like a little Trojan! My new best friend at the end of class' and rehearsals is an ice pack!

I'm still looking forward to the show; this may be because my friends from home are coming up to support me! (Both in the audience and later as I try to stand up at the bar!) I haven't seen them for so long, and it'll be nice to catch up.

Next week, is a big one at The Space. For the last week of term, the whole school will be involved in creating dance video. The week will be directed by award winning filmmaker Katrina McPherson. It gives everyone the chance to work together, both as choreographers and as dancers.

After the film project, it's homeward bound, but only for a few weeks, as I'm going to be part of a project in London for two and half weeks.
It'll be directed and choreographed by Catherine Seymour, a tutor at The Space. Cat's taking part too, as is ex-Space student Emma McInally, alongside 3 other professional dancers! I'm looking forward to my first real taste of life as a dancer!

Will I survive? Who can say, but I'll be sure to let you know how I get on!
This’ll also be the last time I see Cat for a while, as she travels of to pastures new, so it’ll be a very sad occasion, saying goodbye to, not only my roomy, but my friend!

I shall go now! To cry like a little girl!

What a cracker it was!

Now please don't get me wrong, I have the up most respect for this man, and equally his dancers, but come on!

As a Nutcracker virgin, I wasn't that aware of the story, although I was highly aware of the Tchaikovsky score! (The hefty man next to me gave me a few funny looks as I hummed along!) The opening scene was sweet, the waifs and strays coming on stage acting all coy and shy! Then ripping the curtain down!
The image of the Mrs Dross standing centre stage surrounded by the Orphanage backdrop was breathtaking! Unfortunately the rest of this act wasn’t so amazing! The dancers didn’t inspire much confidence in me, and the choreography lacked that ‘Swan Lake’ pizzazz that kept you on the edge of your seat, constantly wanting more!

The hilariously, camp transformation of the Nutcracker into ‘a real, live boy’ had me in stitches! Thinking it couldn’t possibly get any worse…cue the burly, bare chested men flexing their pecs! The wall cracking transformation was superb and saved some Act 1 bacon! The Frozen Lake may as well have melted, as the story began to drag even more at this point! It really needed more action and definitely some acceleration to an interesting bit!

Quick exit to the bar for an energy refill!

Find my seat, prepare for more of the same!

Thankfully it wasn’t! The choreography became more technically difficult making the dancers look much better, the set stayed just as extravagant and the introduction of new characters was a welcome relief!
I really loved the two cheruby-angely characters who had some great little jumpy sequences together and was impressed by Clara, although she didn’t get much of a chance to show her skills off, through the not so interesting movement she got to perform.

My only criticism(‘s!) would be the (what felt like 20 minute!) licking each other’s bum sequence was completely overdone, my eyes began to cross with amount of pink on stage and as for the end! Blink and I would have missed it! I’ve been assured that the original version doesn’t end quite so abruptly!

I feel like I’ve totally slated the performance, but I would genuinely like to work with Matthew Bourne in the future! Let’s just wait and see what his new production of Edward Scissorhands will bring!

My class is making a piece based on wall/rock/ice climbing! This is mainly due to the fact that our choreographer/tutor, Dave, climbs in his spare time, and teaches children at weekends! It's becoming a bit clearer now what’s going to be happening, although I'm still don't really get it!

We had each to make a short solo last week, which had to be based on 'the feelings someone goes through when they know an avalanche is coming down on them'! This sounded a bit weird to me too, but this was before Dave explained to us (in graphic detail!) about how an avalanche kills you! The snow enters your head through every hole possible and turns rock solid inside your head! Scary or what!!!!

Enough of the morbid stuff! We're doing some really nice movement in a climbing section! It's very deep and concentrated, and watching them is really weird, because you kind of go dumbstruck with the intensity!

Now that I'm in this deep and thinky frame of mind, I shall return to the studio to help create some choreographic magic!

My two-week rest and recuperation was far too short, and lifting my head of the pillow at 7.45am was a task in itself! Especially due to the fact that I was woken up by a demented, psychopathic female banging down my bedroom door! Thanks Cat! I didn't get to go on my annual camping extravaganza, although I've now decided to save the money I would have spent, to take me to a far off land, where the sun splits the palm trees and the sea is crystal clear! Devon!

I met up with all my mates and frequented my local cinema! Not a lot of drinking, until I came back to Dundee, and went out to blow the student loan with Cat! Much fun was had, although I had to work the next day! I held them walls up well!

I'm getting funny looks from what I think is a janitor who clearly wants to lock up, so I shall love you and leave you! Bye!

It's a cultural extravaganza at the moment in the Space! As well as our Scottish, English, Croatian and (half) American students, we had lovely young chappy from Austria auditioning today! I always feel so sorry for people auditioning! They all look like they're about to explode into tears if anyone dared to speak to them. I remember my audition, so I completely understand that gut-wrenching, stomach-churning and eyes-uncontrollably-watering feeling, especially as a boy.

X-Factor, a small Edinburgh based dance company, were in for the afternoon on Thursday, primarily I'm sure to promote their latest Scottish tour, but also to give us a creative session based on the theme's running through their latest Scottich tour and to invite us all to the Byre Theatre in St. Andrews to see them perform in their latest Scottish tour. Did I mention their latest Scottish tour?

Site Specific is going well (so far!), although I'm sure by Thursday I'll be suitably freaking out. I called an extra rehearsal on Wednesday after college, only as a safety precaution you understand. I'm beginning to feel sorry for my hard working dancers. They seem to be putting up well with my constant nagging and moaning, while I push and prod them into the position. On top of my personality disorder, I'm not even going to see the debut performance on Friday.

My friend booked me in advance in December, when he bought me a ticket to see Liberty X in concert. I know it's a pretty crap reason, but I don't want him to lose out on money, and my little dancing troupers won't need me, because they're going to fantastical. So if you're in Dundee, and bored on Friday night at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm or at 4pm, come to the Space and see the extravaganza which is 'Exploring the Space!' Just a little plug there to wet your appetite.

I'm going home now to listen to my Site Specific music for the 23rd Millionth time.

Thanks Moloko!

I'm very excited about my hols, because I get to go home for 2 WEEKS! Yee Ha!

All those long lies, and breakfast in bed, of course I'll be at the gym every day as well! I'm going camping on the 2nd week, which should be an experience, if last year is anything to go by! Torrential rain battering down and gale force winds making the tent roof suffocate you as you try and sleep! A trip to be remembered, but not for any good reason! Fingers crossed for sun this year! (Highly unlikely in Scotland during April!)

Things at The Space have been going grandioso!
My site specific performance went really well, even though I wasn't there to nit-pick! My dancers all had muchos amounts of fun, and for me, that was my main objective. I wasn't trying to make a choreographic (spell that after a glass of highly alcoholic mineral water!) extravaganza, I was making a piece, which was nice to look at, and from the audience’s feedback, I think I was successful!

Last week saw the 3rd Year Cheoreography showcase! I reckon it was good, but I'm sure the 3rd Years may disagree! I went to both performances, although this was my original plan. I, along with 3 of my friends, were travelling through to Glasgow to see the Sugababes in concert, but lo and behold, there was a train strike, which meant all of the buses were bursting to capacity and I was left stranded in Dundee. 2 of my friends did make it through, and one of them was up on stage dancing with them! Gutted!

This last week has been a bit boring. As it's the last week of term, written work is rearing its ugly head from under the woodwork!
I am now fully aware of my physical strengths and weaknesses, and well voiced in the lives of the pioneers of modern dance!

My final day of term has now come and gone, so I'm going home for a bath and a glass of OJ!

Have a nice holiday!

So, off I trotted with my list of exercises and advice about returning to class to good ole Dundee.

Tuesday was possibly the worst day I think I've ever had here. I have little to no strength left in my thighs, and every single exercise took so much effort, I thought I was going to pass out. But, hey ho, I struggled through. This kinda got a little better as the week went on. I was sticking to one contemporary class every day, for the first week at least. I don't think Sheena, my ballet teacher, was overly enthused about this advice the physio had given me.

Today was my first day back in ballet, and lo and behold, halfway through the class, I had to return to my spot at the side of the class with an ice pack! This was my own fault completely, as I was pushing my turnout far more than my little knee could take. Next ballet class will be a different story! Promise.

I'm going now to my site-specific rehearsal, which after just one week is really beginning to take shape. I'm pretty excited about the whole thing! My dancers are working so hard, and I feel like I want to give them everything I've got in return.

This is Allan McIntyre (the returning dance student!) signing off.

Oh my. I really get quite worked up when I'm on a roll.

So, away from the knee, Thursday saw the cutting of the school's tour. I'm a bit disappointed, although I didn't really dance, but when half of the class is ill and only 1 person has been at every rehearsal, (that's not me, but I've only missed 3. Twice when I couldn't walk, and once when I had that rash. Pretty good excuses if you ask me.)
I don't really blame him for saying enough is enough. Because of this, we've joined the first year's creative session, which is focussing on site-specific work, in preparation for our site-specific project. It's been fun observing them and deciding who would be right for the kind of stuff I want to do.

Prepare for yet another moan!

I've been planning my site specific for weeks. I intended doing it on and around the bar in The Space (it's a beautiful building. Have you seen it yet?) I've now found out that this may not be possible. I'm not going to go into the reasons why, but they ain't really good enough for my liking. So let's just hope it gets sorted out in time for rehearsals Next Week.

I'll leave you with a few words a wise man once said to me,
"Let's talk about something other than your knee."