Erasure • Features • Private Ear
Ear To The Ground #1
Before embarking on the erasure tour, Angela already had some considerable experience working with dancers and stage sets, and as a video director. She became involved through Mute Records where she met erasure, who asked her to work on this live show.
A former Art School student and a talented singer in her own right (in AC Marias), she happily confesses to no musical training, something that clearly hasn't proved a drawback!
Angela gives the credit for the show to Andy and Vince who inspired its content, many of the concepts emerging from Andy's feverish imagination, while Vince issued instructions from his electronic capsule in Amsterdam. They decided which songs to use and the theatrical aspects, spending a lot of time just talking about what might work. Angela met up with Vince in the earlier planning stage to discuss the model for the set, which he liked, and since then has been in contact to talk about re-arranging intro's etc.
Angela participated in the choice of dancers, agreeing that energy and personality were essential - although she did think an all-girl troupe would have 'set-off' Andy perfectly on stage.
Her overall view as Director means planning minute details. Costume changes and scene changes must fall in place, timing being the key element. Angela describes it as "like planning a military operation." Ideas sometimes change and she has to co-ordinate the practical implications - boring it's not! Lack of rigidity and lots of laughs seem to be the keynote.
Angela and Les Child intend to arrive in Manchester 3 days before the show to see the set, constructed by the engineers who built the 'Miss Saigon' sets. The rehearsals will be videoed, to see how the whole thing looks and Patrick Woodroffe, the lighting designer, will be there to catch the mood of each song and plot on his computer how each individual scene should be lit.
She emphasises that there was always so much help on hand, everyone working towards the same end: Andy and Vince setting foot on stage with everything in place. The overall look of the show is very important, and collaboration with all her colleagues, especially Mark Williams (the set designer), Dean and Les, ensures everything runs smoothly.
We asked Angela if she could 'sum up' the show for us: "Magical and extremely phantasmagorical, I would say."
Les Child - Choreographer
'Am I just dreaming?' or is it just a rumour that Les Child conceived the choreography for Erasure's new tour during a dream?
Well, it's partially true - at least he did for a couple of the dance routines. His feel for the show really came mainly from a natural liking for Erasure's music.
"It makes life a lot easier when it comes to choreographing a show if you enjoy the music", Les revealed to us.
He was trained with the Ballet Rambert, alongside some of the company's most exciting talents. His vast experience has come from dancing in shows with people like Wayne Sleep, Michael Clark, Bill Louther, Bonny Langford and a black group called 'Maasai', who have been involved with Adam Ant.
Choreographically, he has worked with Eartha Kitt, Sinead O'Connor, Bananarama, Gypsy Kings and Lisa Stansfield - just about everyone!
His vigorous approach to dance necessitated hiring dancers who were not only professional, but incredibly fit, versatile, and possessing good technique to withstand the arduous routines and Les's high standards during the whole length of the tour.
Eight dancers, 2 boys and 6 girls, were chosen at a 'Fame' type audition from amongst 300 young hopefuls who auditioned to 'The Good, The Bad And The Ugly'.
Les admitted to finding it all so easy because the dancers were talented, and in his words, 'could cut the work'. The lucky eight are: Heavon, Todd, J.J., Natalie, Rachael, Claire, Jo and Sadie.
The EIS managed a sneak peak preview during rehearsals just before Easter at the Sadlers Wells in London.
The dancers were clearly enjoying the routines. Les's easy paternal manner was encouraging, but critical when the occasional mistake was made. A keen-eyed perfectionist can be awesome when observed at close quarters!
His assistant, Clare Eastman is invaluable. She 'cleans' the choreography from the video and adds 'the polish - the cherry on the cake' as Les puts it.
Without revealing any secrets, we think everyone who sees the show will be in for a few surprises come June, with Vince and Andy pulling out all the stops - and steps - once again!