canbelto Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 I had never seen this before. Found it delightful. So regal, but not for a moment stuffy. Link to comment
Mailied Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 She was so ladylike yet she seems so approachable and fun. I love the story about Nureyev and his nostrils! Link to comment
canbelto Posted June 15, 2015 Author Share Posted June 15, 2015 I also love the story about the nostrils. I also am impressed with how little she talks about herself. Link to comment
vagansmom Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 Canbelto, I wondered if she requested that she not be asked about herself. Her life was so difficult at that time, wasn't it? The interview was in 1984, so it was 5 years after she retired. Her husband was quadriplegic and had many medical bills. From what I've read, that was a sad and anxiety-ridden time for Fonteyn. Just a few years later, she was diagnosed with cancer and didn't have the money to pay for her own medical bills, so Nureyev did. I can see why she would rather have herself be off limits. Also, the interview was to promote her book about Pavlova that had just come out. Link to comment
canbelto Posted June 15, 2015 Author Share Posted June 15, 2015 Canbelto, I wondered if she requested that she not be asked about herself. Her life was so difficult at that time, wasn't it? The interview was in 1984, so it was 5 years after she retired. Her husband was quadriplegic and had many medical bills. From what I've read, that was a sad and anxiety-ridden time for Fonteyn. Just a few years later, she was diagnosed with cancer and didn't have the money to pay for her own medical bills, so Nureyev did. I can see why she would rather have herself be off limits. Also, the interview was to promote her book about Pavlova that had just come out. That could be true. However, I've seen enough interviews with retired dancers/singers/actors/athletes in which they talk about themselves constantly, rather than promote the project/movie/play/musical/book they're ostensibly there to promote, so Fonteyn's genuine enthusiasm in talking about things other than herself just seems charming. It was good to see that even when she was cash-strapped and ridden with worries (as she was after her retirement) she didn't lose her sense of humor or sparkle. It's very different but I'm also reminded of this interview with Judy Garland. I guess certain people never lose their joie de vivre, no matter how hard their lives might have been at the moment. Link to comment
duffster Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 I remember Margot very well when she guested with us with the National Ballet in Washington. She performed Sleeping Beauty with Atillo Labis in several performances. Very approachable, she took company class with us and always was supportive of the dancers.She gave me the fright of my life when I had just finished my variation ( Diamond) and ran to the wings. Out of breath I hear her voice saying to me " That was just lovely, but I think you should burn the gloves". They were elbow length and I think they were gone after a few performances. I still could not believe that this great ballerina was standing in the wings and watching us dance. She always was so pleasant - never showed signs of fatigue or any clue of what personal problems she could have had at the time. Link to comment
canbelto Posted November 11, 2015 Author Share Posted November 11, 2015 I found another interview, from 1976. It's really delightful. Link to comment
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