Touch down on stage and screen

By BERNADETTE RAE

Dorothea Ashbridge, at 75 years, is still all ballerina from the tip of her toes, elegantly arched feet, slender thighs encased in trim black pants that display her wondrous turnout, through erect spine and slender neck, to the top of her coiffed head.

Ashbridge was a former soloist with the Royal Ballet, then the Sadlers Wells Ballet Company. She rubbed professional shoulders with the dancing greats Dame Margot Fonteyn, Rudolf Nureyev and Sir Robert Helpman before immigrating to New Zealand with her former husband Bryan Ashbridge in 1967. She gave her last performance shortly before then.

New Zealanders know her for her choreography for the popular 60s television show C'mon, for her 12 years as ballet mistress for Limbs, for the work she did with the Royal New Zealand Ballet, teaching classes and reproducing such classics as Giselle, Swan Lake and Pineapple Poll.

Another generation of young dancers is reaping the wealth of her experience through her teaching at the New Zealand School of Dance in Wellington, and the Philippa Campbell School of Ballet in Auckland.

She still travels the world as a distinguished judge at international ballet competitions. "That is my favourite part," she says. "I love to travel."

And now she is performing again.

Catherine Chappell, a former student, both at the New Zealand School of Dance and as a member of Limbs, has persuaded Ashbridge to appear in Touch Compass Dance Trust's new season, Acquisitions.

But mindful of a previous occasion, when Ashbridge agreed to tap dance in a Limbs routine, had several rehearsals and then pulled out at the last minute, Chappell has captured the momentous event on video.

"I thought of Harry Haythorne, [then artistic director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet] and Anne Rouse [a leading dancer] sitting in the audience and I simply couldn't," says Ashbridge.

The video, with Ashbridge, Chappell and 11-year-old dancer Tess Connell, is one of three included in the otherwise live performances in Acquisitions.

Filmed in and around the bunkers of North Head, where old, textured concrete contrasts with green hills and blue sky, and framing the action in juxtaposed window spaces and stairways and doors, the video explores the heartfelt meaning of dance for these three artists, of such different ages and stages in their careers.

"I said yes this time," says Ashbridge, "because I have seen Touch Compass' other performances and I have been so taken with them."

Touch Compass is a mixed-ability dance company, and the professional standard reached by its members, presenting a huge range of different talents and different limitations, has mightily impressed Ashbridge's discerning eye.

She also applauds the way Touch Compass performances bring a mixed ability audience into the theatre. Wheelchairs and sign language interpreters are de rigueur when Touch Compass is performing.

Acquisitions, says Chappell, has provided an opportunity for other choreographers to work with the company's dancers. Moss Patterson, Mahlia Johnston, Kristian Larsen and Sue Cheesman have made new works for the company. Chappell has choreographed an aerial duet and the programme will conclude with a group structured improvisation with cardboard boxes and lots of flying. Comedian Philip Patston dominates a spot or two.

The video segments include a group work and another duet for Tim Turner and three-legged dog Boiski.

"We got into video because of Dorothea," says Chappell. "It worked, and we feel blessed to have got her involved. But things have a habit of expanding in Touch Compass. The cast just grows. And I have an idea and next thing I find I am acting on it."

Which could lead to chaos, but Chappell's attitude in Touch Compass is one of inclusion - without artistic or technical compromise. And she has to meet her own high standards.

She badly strained an ankle the day before the North Head video shot, and was reduced to a hobble, on crutches. But when the camera rolled and action was required, Chappell danced. "There are no excuses around here."

Performance

* What: Acquisitions, with Touch Compass Dance Trust

* Where: Maidment Theatre

* When: April 3-6