Hannah Rudd, from the Rambert dance company, tells Laura Redpath about her love of dance
HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A DANCER?
My sister and I went to ballet classes as a hobby when we were young and it became apparent that it was something I couldn’t really live without.
I started going more regularly throughout the week and my teacher pushed me to audition for the Royal Ballet School. I got a place there and trained for seven years. It’s very much part of my life.
TELL US A BIT ABOUT RAMBERT, THE COMPANY YOU DANCE
WITH JUST NOW
It’s the oldest contemporary dance company in England. It was once a ballet company, but evolved into something more modern. The dancers have been classically trained as well as being trained in contemporary styles and techniques. We have 22 dancers, so we’re not a huge company, but we’re not a small one, either.
HOW DID YOU COME TO JOIN THE COMPANY?
I’ve been here four years. I was freelancing as a contemporary dancer and I got a call asking if could come in and audition for a short period of time. I then got offered a full contract. It was something I hoped I could do from a young age.
YOU’RE HEADING TO ABERDEEN FOR THREE NIGHTS IN FEBRUARY. WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM THE PERFORMANCE?
When we visit Aberdeen, we are going to be three dances: Didy Veldman’s Picasso-inspired The 3 Dancers, Kim Brandstrup’s Transfigured Night and Alexander Whitley’s Frames.
We always do a triple bill which shows the diversity of the company and keeps everything new and creative.
At His Majesty’s, we’ll do the same pieces each night, but at other venues we’ll do a mixture of eight to 10 pieces, so each part of the country get something a little different.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It gives the opportunity to find the moment that brings all the hard work and preparation and creativity to the audience. You can give them as much as you can in that moment and hope that they become involved with your journey on stage. I feel very privileged to do it.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO OUTSIDE OF WORK?
I study yoga, as I’d like to become a yoga teacher. You can get very consumed with work and it’s nice to have something that you are passionate about outside of work to give you balance. It helps you switch off and it’s a great way to keep the body strong and flexible. It’s quite a disciplined form of exercise, so it fits in well with dance.
FINALLY, WHY DO YOU THINK IT’S SO IMPORTANT TO PRESERVE DANCE AS AN ART?
It’s like reading a wonderful book or seeing a wonderful film. You go and see dance and take something that will enrich your life or just give you a moment for you to enjoy something that’s out of your usual realm in your mind.
It needs to be there within the arts. We are creating art on stage and it shouldn’t be any less valid than galleries and such like.
Rambert will be showcased at HM Theatre from February 17-19.