A result of a lockdown, too many dance films and writer's block with Confidence and Control. I took inspo from Center Stage and Dance Academy, but I am not a ballerina so please bare with me!
En Pointe
Mildred Hubble leaped in excitement. She had done it - somehow secured an audition for the Academy of Dance - the most prestigious ballet school in the country. Just seeing its name emblazoned above the door of the impressive Georgian building in the heart of London made her insides go jittery with a mixture of happiness and nerves.
"You've done so well to gain an audition Millie - I'm really proud of you. Just don't get your hopes up too much yeh? You know how difficult it is to get in," Julie had said to her in true Northern bluntness as they got the train into King's Cross. Mildred had rolled her eyes at her mother.
"I know, mum! But who's to say that it cannot be me?" Mildred shrugged her shoulders.
"It's just you're not exactly their typical student Mils. They'll be used to the prissy stuck-up children who have parents that probably donate whole dance studios."
"I'm hardly from the ghetto mum!" Mildred had laughed. Her mum was a fairly high up nurse, who although had to work many hours for her paycheck, never complained at the expenses of new ballet shoes and leotards.
Just seeing students mingling around the place, their hair in buns and dark purple leotards stretched over leggings covered by various hoodies gave Mildred the hope that she would be joining them before too long.
"Hi, Mildred Hubble - I have an audition today," she said excitedly to the receptionist who peered at her nonchalantly.
"Studio 2, down the corridor, second on the left," she said smoothly. "Parents aren't allowed in, "she told Julie curtly.
"I know - I know," Julie glared at her manner, "Good luck Mildred. Call me when you're done and I'll meet you here."
"Thanks," Mildred breathed out deeply as she made her way towards the studio. I can do this...
xx
"They certainly don't look a very promising lot," Hecate Hardbroom wrinkled her nose at the principal of the academy - Ada Cackle.
"You say that every year Hecate," Ada grinned.
"And every year I am proven correct," Hecate glowered. "When was the last time we taught anyone with any true talent?"
"Isla Willow left this year with five offers from ballet companies," Ada reminded her.
"Yes.. But contemporary companies.." Hecate shook her head disbelievingly. "Face it Ada, the last truly talented dancer we had was Esme Hallow."
"She sent us tickets to see her dance Aurora," Ada smiled. "She's understudying but making quite the impression. That's her sister right there - Ethel Hallow," she pointed out a girl with a neat blonde bun who, noticing she was being watched, did a deep and perfect plié.
"Good turnout," Hecate acknowledged grudgingly.
The door was suddenly flung open by a gangly creature with freckles, a frizzing bun and a frazzled expression. The girl looked around the room before seeing the two adults standing at the far side.
"I'm so sorry, I hope I'm not late!" she said bumblingly after she had practically skipped over to the two.
"Late no, but cutting it rather fine," Hecate practically hissed, taking in the girl from haphazard bun to scuffed trainers with an instant dislike.
"Right on time dear," Ada said warmly. "I'm Miss Cackle, headmistress here and this is my deputy Hecate Hardbroom. Your name?" she queried, clipboard at the ready.
"Mildred Hubble Miss," Mildred stared (up - for the woman combined height with a ramrod perfect posture) at the woman with the smooth black bun. "Miss Hardbroom, I... I.. I am so honoured to meet you. Your Giselle has always been my favourite, you really inspired me to dance! You're such a legend! And I got to see your Swan Lake before... well.. before..."
"Hecate - Oh my God.. Hecate... Call the paramedic! Her ankle!" Hecate blinked as the memory came surging into her brain.
Hecate's eyebrows could not rise any further as her lips pursed. "Well Mildred Hubble..." She practically spat, "I would recommend getting warmed up rather quickly if you are to have any hope of joining us.."
Taken aback, Mildred nodded before heading over to where there was space to lace up her pointe shoes, as Ethel Hallow showed off her arabesque.
xx
"The first section of your audition as described will be a barre class led and assessed by Ms Hardbroom. Then, we get to see what you have prepared for your solos," Miss Cackle smiled at the potential students. "Relax, enjoy it - that's what dance is for after all." Ms Hardbroom couldn't disguise the scowl that Miss Cackle's words gave her.
"We start with tendus," Hecate said crisply, "Side, front, side, back - 20 repetitions," she told the girls. "Find a space at the barre". She pressed play on the remote, causing a light classical tune to ring through the studio as the girls hurried to attain positions at the front. She noticed Ethel Hallow guard her spot by the mirror carefully. "Begin," she called firmly.
She made her way down the line, observing carefully. Ethel Hallow was first and seemed to have Esme Hallow's excellent technique, but could not keep her eyes from the mirror, vanity that she did not like in a dancer. She could not deny the girl her talent though.
"And developpe, enveloppe," Hecate instructed.
The girl behind her had reasonable technique too - a girl named Felicity Foxglove who had come well recommended from one of the local ballet companies. The girl behind her seemed recognisable...
"Your name?" She asked the girl, impressed by her rather relaxed and easy poise and flexibility.
"Enid Nightshade," the girl told her, scowling as if her own name disgusted her.
"Ahh Katarina Nightshade's daughter," Hecate nodded.
"Unfortunately," Enid said under her breath, which Hecate just caught with a perplexed expression. She continued to observe the group, reaching Mildred Hubble with pursed lips.
The girl seemed to increase in nerves the closer Hecate got, losing her timing with the rest of the group slightly. "Round those hips Mildred Hubble!" Hecate told her firmly. "Again," she demanded as the girl readjusted her position. "Turn out!" she shook her head crossly, as she went to observe the second line.
xxx
"Some good technique," Hecate told the girls, glancing at Ethel Hallow and Enid Nightshade, "But some need to drastically think about whether they deserve to waste my time with their solo," she glared at a rather defeated looking Mildred Hubble.
"Good luck girls!" Ada Cackle smiled at them.
"We shall begin with Ethel Hallow," Hecate informed the girl, who glanced around the room prettily before nodding.
"I'm ready Ms Hardbroom," she flickered her lashes.
xxx
Ethel's solo had been very strong, showing well taught technique, even if her musicality and emotion had fallen rather flat at times. Hecate put a tick next to her name, albeit wishing she had the genuine grace of her sister.
Enid Nightshade was also a definite tick, though she seemed rather apathetic and rather too relaxed for someone auditioning for such a fought after place.
"Mildred Hubble," Hecate formed the words like they were difficult.
Mildred walked across the room with slumped shoulders portraying embarrassment at her lanky statue. Hecate had to stop herself from putting a cross next to the girl just for that..
The music played. Odile Solo - Swan lake.. Hecate's heart started thudding as she stared at the daring girl.
It was a variation: simplistic as befitting a young ballerina. Yet there was something to it.. Something dark in Mildred's face that made you feel goosebumps and forget her clumsy technique, as if the technique didn't matter.. Hecate shook herself, trying to find fault.. No turn out, bad feet... Strong lines... Not missing a beat of music..
The girl panted as the music came to an end.
"Thank you Mildred," Miss Cackle smiled at the girl before nodding at Hecate, who with a fumbling hand turned the slanting line she had intended to be part of a cross into a grudging tick.
xx
"Thoughts?" Ada questioned once the studio had quietened of the young girls.
"Enid Nightshade was the strongest by far...Apple doesn't fall far..." Hecate started, "Though she seemed disinterested."
"Perhaps just shy," Ada nodded. "I thought Ethel Hallow was rather good too..."
"Yes, but the girl certainly knows it," Hecate sniffed. "Not like Esme..."
"No-one will ever be like your dear Esme..." Ada grinned. Esme had indeed been Hecate's favourite every pupil, very teachable, with a rare gift for dancing with both precision and passion. Hecate had spent many an evening privately coaching her, and Esme had left the school with a ridiculous amount of offers and hadn't spent long in the chorus before being promoted to soloist and now leading soloist. She was expected to be the Royal's youngest effort principal.
"And Mildred Hubble..." Ada watched Hecate's reaction closely.
"Terrible in class, marginally better with her solo," Hecate shrugged a shoulder.
"Her solo was breathtaking," Ada corrected her with a smile.
"Seriously Ada! You're not serious are you?! She has bad feet!" Hecate spluttered.
"So did Margot Fonteyn," Ada smirked.
"You cannot seriously be comparing Mildred Hubble to Margot Fonteyn!" Hecate shook her head. "And her body type is all wrong..."
"Her height?" Ada smirked. "If only we had a ballet mistress who was often told the same thing and yet still went on to be one of the dancers of her generation..."
"Oh Miss Cackle! I practised ten hours a day. Do you honestly think she has the discipline? I would have to start her technique from scratch!" Hecate practically wailed.
"Do what you need to do Hecate. Take her under your wing and teach her how to control those long limbs. She could be great - you know she could! You haven't privately coached anyone since Esme.." Ada argued.
"Because nobody has warranted my attention!" Hecate muttered.
"I've made my decision Hecate," Ada said firmly. "I would like you to support me.. Support her.. But I cannot force you to."
Hecate rolled her eyes and folded her arms, "Fine," she sighed, "It's your school after all - I'll just have to do my best to ensure Mildred Hubble doesn't embarrass our reputation!"
xxx