Interview with Principal Amy Watson
December 15, 2017
Six years ago, I did an interview with Principal Amy Watson in relation to the Royal Danish Ballet’s US tour in 2011. I was then much impressed by the way she handled her career. For instance knowing that with three cast as the Sylph, the change of her getting the role was limited, she then decided to get as much out as possible out of the Sylph sequence in “Etudes”.
Now six years later, Amy Watson has had her shot of “La Sylphide”, but as importantly created an outstanding Raymonda in Nikolaj Hübbe’s production of the Petipa classic. An impressive achievement for a ballerina, who do not hide her age and proudly presents herself as 36, 5 years old.
My review read:
Outstanding Ballerina
“It took the second cast Amy Watson and Gregory Dean to really show us the nuances and strengths of “Raymonda”. Gregory Dean had no problem in placing Otto as the key male figure. His partnering was outstanding and he looks and acted every bit the officer and gentleman. Dean is known as a very good partner who really supports his ballerina. He did offer good support for Amy Watson, without carrying her through the part. Raymonda does much of her dancing herself. Where Watson was really outstanding was in the ability to create a strong and likeable character who also happened to present beautiful dancing in all three acts in all the different styles, without compromising the character. That was all that was needed to change the opinion of “Raymonda” as an incoherent ballet with no real dramatic context. It was Amy Watson´s finest hour of the RDB stage”.
“I had many discussions with Nikolaj Hübbe, regarding the offer to dance Raymonda. It is a very demanding role. I would never have considered myself for the role. It has never been a part of the RDB repertoire, so I have had no reason to even think of the opportunity. What finally made me say yes to the offer was my experience from other Petipa roles, especially “The Sleeping Beauty”. I remembered how much dancing Petipa had made me a much stronger and better dancer. That gave me the confidence to say yes to the role”, explains Amy Watson.
For this production, Nikolaj Hübbe has chosen to cast three mature ballerinas in the title role. All three brings something special to the production. However, it is Amy Watson, who brings most coherence and personality to the role:
“In Act one, our young star Ida Praetorius dances the part of Henriette, Raymonda’s close friend. I took my cue from the friendship. It would not make sense, if I presented a mature Raymonda, so in order to make their relationship believable, I had to make the role younger.
In Act 2 in the Red Pas De Deux, I present Raymonda as an older girl, having fun and being rather flirty. In the third act, Raymonda have reached her maturity and is getting married, So, I created a time line for the character. I was very pleased that the French ballerina Florence Clerc was part of the directing team. I have admired her as a dancer and we have a very good relationship.”
Amy Watson had one more strong card on her hand. She was partnered by the best partner in the company, Principal Gregory Dean.
“Greg and I have a very strong personal friendship both on and off the stage. I was very lucky to work closely with him on this marathon role. This season several of our leading male dancers are dancing in other companies which makes the pairing of dancers more difficult.”
As Amy Watson is dancing with the best partner, it could look like an extra advantage. However, in this production of Raymonda, the title role is doing most of her dancing as soloes:
“It is a very demanding role, and it is very important to manage the pacing. It is also a mental process. In such a long ballet, you will not get every little step perfect. Therefore, it is important to keep a positive attitude and not beat yourself if your timing is a bit off. It is important to stay in character”.
Chosen the right Jewels
Last season, Royal Danish Ballet took on one of the biggest challenges out there, a production of George Balanchine´s “Jewels”:
“When I was twenty, I wanted to dance “Rubies”. At thirty, my dream role was “Diamonds”. Now I feel that I am best placed in “Emeralds”, it was a very giving process to dance this segment.”
As “Emerald’s” is inspired by the romantic ballet, one naturally expects that the RDB can bring out the qualities of the piece. In first cast Amy Watson and fellow principal and sylph, Susanne Grinder certainly created a strong interpretation of “Emeralds”.
Amy Watson is educated at School of American Ballet, and therefore have a strong affinity for the choreography of George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins. Later this season she will dance “Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux”:
“I am really looking forward to everything in this pas de deux, from the steps to the pink dress. Unfortunately, I tore a ligament preparing for “Other Dances” last season. The injury also cut short my participating in Christopher Wheeldon’s “Alice”, dancing the hilarious role as “The Red Queen”, so I only got one performance.”
Last season Amy Watson also rediscovered an old love, August Bournonville:
“I am really enjoying dancing “The Flower Festival of Genzano Pas de Deux” and Teresina in “Napoli”. We will be doing a lot of Bournonville, not only in the festival and also on our annual summer tour and at “Jacob Pillows”. I am so looking forward to the festival”
Over the last years, Amy Watson has also have guest stays at companies like American Ballet Theatre:
I was given the opportunity to dance Myrtha in “Giselle” and Irina Kolpakova coached me, which was a great experience. It was interesting to see their company culture, and to see how I matched up.”
Over the last seasons, Amy Watson has taken on roles outside hers and the RDB’s normal employ. In Twyla Tharp’s homage to Frank Sinatra, “Come Fly Away” she created the vamp Babe, bringing on the appeal of Ava Gartner, in a partnership with young company star, Alban Lendorf, who filled the Frank Sinatra character:
“It was a fun experience. We had to get used to dancing in high heels, which demands a different control in the back.”
Amy Watson hopes that there will be more challenges for her in the coming years. With a pension age of 40, she knows that the time is limited:
“I have said my goodbyes to Odette/Odile, however I do hope that there is still good roles waiting out there. I know, we will have some very exiting productions and creations in the coming years, and I h ope to be a part of it. You can never tell what life will bring. Royal Danish Ballet have been such a great part of my life and career. I hope than I can continue my contribution.”
Photos (Copyright(c) Royal Danish Ballet
- Amy Watson with Jonathan Chmelensky in Nikolaj Hübbe´s "Weimar" by Camilla Winther
- Amy Watson as Raymonda by Klaus Vedfelft
- Amy Watson as Myrtha by Henrik Stenberg
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