| ANNA-MI
FREDRIKSSON was born in Sweden. She is
currently a student at the English National Ballet
School, lives in an international hostel in Earl’s
Court and aspires to the stately heights of some
of Europe’s foremost Ballet companies.
How's
your day going so far?
It’s good, I’m a bit tired. We start
work with ENB company today for the tour of Swan
Lake. We’re going to Madrid and Edinburgh,
I’m really looking
forward to it.
You’ve worked with the
company before, how do you find the experience?
The opportunity is amazing. I danced in Sleeping
Beauty and The Nutcracker with them over Christmas
and as a first professional experience I feel
very lucky. It’s nice because ENB company
isn’t that big so everyone is given a chance,
you’re not just stuck at the back if you’re
one of the new dancers. And also it gives you
that extra push as you realise what all the hard
work in class is for when you finally get up on
stage.
Where do you see yourself going
– specifically ballet?
I enjoy trying new and different things. They’ve
just added singing to our timetable so who knows!
But Dutch National Ballet appeals to me a lot.
They
have an interesting repertoire, and perform lots
of new work. Also, they’re a tall company,
and I’m quite tall (she smiles) so it would
suit me in that sense!
How do you find London?
It’s brilliant. I’m originally from
Sweden so it’s a big difference. London
is a culture centre for the arts and always has
new companies or touring shows performing. The
training and the people are also great. It’s
giving me a wider view of the European dance style.
I cannot imagine you get a lot
of free time between classes and company rehearsals,
but when you do what do you like to get up to?
(She laughs) My free time is literally that, free!
I try and do nothing,
just relax. But London is very high-tempo so there
is always something going on. I like going to
the theatre and seeing dance works. I saw Scottish
Ballet’s triple bill recently, I really
liked the Forsythe piece, I’m quite into
neo-classical work. I also like the markets in
London as we don’t have them back home.
Camden and Portobello have all the vintage things.
It’s fun to find different styles of old
clothes and jewelery.
So, what’s next?
Well, the ENB tour, and then straight into work
on our graduate show for the beginning of July.
Written by Joel Stubbs
for Dance Europe issue No.96.
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