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A hellish heaven of a first year at Rambert - Elizel Long

Posted by: Elizel Long on 27 August 2010

Yes, quite an eye-catcher statement up there, I know! Perhaps too much of a bold title, considering my status in the Company. But truthfully…what a year it has been and let me tell you, being an apprentice is not for the faint hearted!

I started off at Rambert last August with my mind in turmoil. The lease on my home was ending, and so I was on the hunt for a new place to stay, and fast. As well as being in a hurry to settle in before I started at the Company, I was caught by a fraudster in an internet property scandal. Perfect! “First Day” at the renowned Rambert Dance Company with zero money and a month to wait until that first pay cheque - and the stress of finding a new place to live, with no money to put down as a deposit.

Whilst dealing with my personal financial depression and the homeless situation… I was also dealing with a case of cold hard home-sickness, and the sudden realisation of not really knowing anyone in London who could actually help me. Not to mention being worried sick about whether or not I would look like an amateur at dance as a whole, when entering a professional company with a troop of dancers who are known internationally as extraordinary individuals with extraordinary talent. Did I have some fitting in to do or what?!

To add to this, the week before I started at Rambert, I had twisted my ankle whilst out looking for available flats - I obviously wasn't paying any attention to where I put my feet on the unflattering sidewalk. So, there I was, the first week with nerves and all, having to sit out for half of the warm up classes, looking like the complete amateur I was afraid of portraying, not to mention facing my new director with the ridiculous excuse of having my ankle twisted in my first ever dance job. What an ice-breaker, no pun intended.

Part two coming soon.

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