Cupcakes & Conversation with Rory Fairweather-Neylan

cupcakes courtesy Primrose Bakery, supporters of BALLET NEWS

Cupcakes & Conversation with Rory Fairweather-Neylan, Royal New Zealand Ballet

What motivates you at 8am on a Monday morning ?
Ballet - the chance of having a good class, the opportunity to improve, the challenge.

Who would you most like to dance with & what would you dance ?
My sister, something fun.

If you could dance anywhere in the world (not only in a theatre), where would you dance ?
Australia, USA, Europe

What is your daily routine at the moment ?
Dance. Eat. Skype. Eat. Sleep.

How do you prepare in the hours before a show ?
Warm up at barre and eat a big dinner for energy so I don’t have to hold back during a show.

What are you looking forward to dancing in 2010 ?
Revisiting Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet in Australia.

You can ask six famous people to dinner - who would you invite ?
Paul Matthews, Catherine Eddy, Daniel Morrison, Mr. T, Spongebob Squarepants, mum.

What would surprise people about you ?
I don’t like vegetables. I have never had a serious injury from dancing.

Who inspired you to dance ?
Rudolph Nureyev. Mum. Dancing was part of my life from a young age - no inspiration needed.

How would someone else describe you ?
Obnoxious, crass, moody, strongly disagrees with vegetables.

RNZB Artists Tonia Looker & Rory Fairweather-Neylan

Photograph :  Maarten Holl

What is your best piece of advice ?
Just do it. Work hard and work harder in hard times. Keep your family close.

Which role has tested you the most & how ?
Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, combining character and technique and trying to make it as real as ballet will allow.

What is the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you ?
I can’t remember ever.

If you designed your own stage costume, what would you create ?
Would have to create my terry-toweling shirt from Carmen.

A phrase I use far too often is ...
Mac is whack. Going off like a frog in a sock.

Who would play you in the film of your life ?
Michael J Fox / Sonic the Hedgehog.

What is your favourite quote?
“Cookie!” (Cookie monster)

What’s on your iPod ?
Everything from Chopin to Slipknot.

What makes you a good dance partner ?
Good charisma with dance partners, strong partner, trust in each other.

Do you have a secret skill which no one knows about ?
Yes.

Describe yourself in just three words.
Rory Fairweather- Neylan.

In terms of your ballet career, where would you like to be this time next year ?
In a strong, steady career doing what I love - dancing ballet works, living in a place I love too.