The Last Dance

I’m interviewing famous ballerina, Anna Jaskula. She has danced in theatres around the world for some of the most distinguished figures of the day. Her performances in Swan Lake and Giselle have been described as ‘divine’ and ‘awe inspiring’ by composers and choreographers across the globe. So when she announced she was performing The Last Dance it sent shockwaves across the community.

Anna, you have just completed a breathtaking performance of the renowned Last Dance. How are you feeling?

Relieved. There were many times I didn’t think I would be able to complete it, but I persevered and now it’s done.

What was the reaction when you told others that you had decided to do this? Did you get a lot of support?

No, not at all! Almost everyone tried to talk me out of it. Everyone except my sister. She knows how stubborn I am once I’ve made a decision. It scared a lot of people when I told them first. The Last Dance is not only technically difficult but also a true test of endurance. The reason it’s considered a career ending dance is because of the damage it does to the dancer over the course of all the practices and shows. I was lucky I could do more than one.

The Last Dance is based on a talented Malaysian ballerina called Mahia Noor. The story goes that she was in her home country when a tsunami hit, and the building she was in was almost completely torn away. Mahia survived by standing on pointe, on one foot, because she only had the smallest post to stand on. She stood there, perfectly balanced, for hours. Some versions of the story say she stood there for several days. All that time she had to concentrate, while seeing the devastation of her home around her. Then, instead of prioritising her own safety, she used her vantage point to direct people to safety. The amount of emotional and physical stamina she had is something I aspire to every day. Getting the chance to express how she must have felt, the challenges she must have gone through, was truly one of the greatest honours of my career.

You are the first star of a performance of The Last Dance to ever agree to an interview. Why is that?

Historically, dancers who have spoken honestly about the dance have been ridiculed, and faced a lot of judgement from their peers.

Why are you choosing to share your experience instead?

I’m not becoming a teacher, or continuing my dance career. If the people I worked with judge me, I won’t suffer for it. More importantly, I want future dancers to know the truth before they decide to follow in my footsteps. I wasn’t given any warning… and things could have gone a lot worse.

Is this in regards to the rumours that The Last Dance is cursed?

Yes.

Do you think it is?

I know it is.

You sound very certain. How can you be so sure?

Because I experienced it. Everything the rumours described, or almost everything. It all happened to me.

When I practise, it’s just myself and the music. The same motions, the same song, over and over again. Performances like this take so much training to push your body to do something that’s only done in bursts, as it connects from one motion to another. I knew I’d have to train harder than I’d ever done if I wanted to do this perfectly. And I did want to do it perfectly. That’s part of why I chose it. There was no room for failure. You do it perfectly or your whole performance is ruined. You have to be Mahia Noor for those few hours.

Thinking back, I did feel like I was being watched when I practised, but that didn’t surprise me. There’s usually someone around - other dancers, choreographers or stage technicians. It was only when it got late that I noticed there was someone still in the room. A figure who was just watching me, not practising or anything. I just ignored them. I had a routine to practise. Then one night, when it was just me, something happened that changed everything.

I was midway through my routine when a woman appeared right in front of me. She was so close I thought her nose might touch mine. I’m a bit embarrassed to say that I screamed, and lost my balance. Falling isn’t new to me, but I was lucky I didn’t hurt myself. When I looked around again, she was gone.

Do you know who she was?

I knew, but I didn’t want to admit it. I’d heard the rumours, but I put it down to overworking myself.

Except that the next night, at the same point of my routine, I heard breathing right behind me. I knew I was alone, but it sounded so real.

What did you do?

I continued my practise. I was determined to get the dance done right, and I had a deadline. I couldn’t cancel the show because of a ghost. I accepted that she was part of the practise. Things would move, she would whisper behind me, or appear in front of me. A few times she even pushed me.

And you still did the dance?

I think she was testing me. Making sure that only the strongest dancers could follow in her footsteps. Part of me thinks it’s to stop people who aren’t ready for it from trying. By the time the curtain rose, nothing could make me fall. From the moment I lifted my foot, I remained steady.

To those who are considering performing the Last Dance, I’ll say this:

Make sure you’re prepared. Make sure you get it right. Mahia Noor herself will be judging your every move.

by Aoife Murphy

Emitting radio waves

Standard 440HZ

Ascending and descending

Melody and rhythm

Strings vibrate

Voices in unison

Bang of a drum

Intro with a hook

Bass guitar groove

Soaring chorus

Turn it up to eleven!

Dance to the beat

Scales of major Minor and diminished Chords and notes…

…Fading………….. …………………out slowly…………..

by Damien Kelly