Girls Girls Girls: A Reflection on The Process of Producing Men & Girls Dance
It’s 20:45, I am sat in the auditorium at The Place the night before the first show. A newspaper wall looms in front of me, multicoloured tape covers the performance floor, and the production crew are focusing lights above me.
I am sat, as always, laptop in lap, but this time rather than furiously replying to emails I’m trying to think, and write coherently about what it's like producing Men & Girls Dance. But actually, what I really want to talk about is the girls. Our girls. These girls, in the tenth version of Men & Girls Dance.
12 days ago, 9 girls aged 8-11 years old showed up at the Flaxman Terrace entrance of The Place - water bottle in hand, eyes cast to the floor and talking in hushed voices.
Fast forward 11 days to this afternoon, 9 girls exploded on stage for our first proper run-through, totally commanding the space and every audience member’s complete attention. Not only do they dance spectacularly, but we hear them talk, see them play, and watch them love and trust each other so authentically.
We see them as they actually are. No costume, No “performance”. Just them. How often is it that girls are able to be completely themselves? How often are they seen and heard as they would wish to be seen and heard? How often are girls “allowed” to command the space, any space?
I have learnt so much producing this show - about how to ethically and sensitively produce outstanding work with young people. How to articulate the value and importance of work like this for young people, and (probably most importantly) how to play “the floor is lava”. But in all honesty, the best things I have learnt have been from them, notably;
Persistence, relentless persistence - never stop asking questions, voicing your thoughts, telling people what you want, need, feel, deserve.
Conviction - this is who I am. This is what I like. This is what I am comfortable with. Deal with it.
Energy - dancing for 2 hours is merely a warm up for a wheelbarrow race!
But perhaps most significantly they have reminded me of the need for camaraderie and friendship and what is possible, when a totally solid support network of girls come together.
I was a girl of their age once, (cough - cough ) years ago and I sometimes wonder where that girl is now, concealed beneath all this ‘adult’, weighed down by the realities of a patriarchal society. Watching these girls radiate confidence, presence and power - I feel my inner ‘girl’ is ready for a revival!
So, thank you Aida, Aphra, Bebe, Daisy, Daniella, Evie, Gabriela, Olwen and Xois. You are all exceptional.
Men & Girls Dance is at The Place in London from 25-30 April 2019, tickets are available on their website