Everyone has a story. A special visit behind the scenes with the Company of Elders crew at Sadler’s Wells a week before they perform at the Elixir Festival on 16 and 18 June 2022. Interview by Nicola Baird
Rehearsal images from the piece Relive performed by the Company of Elders (c) Dave Barros
The Elixir Festival at Sadler’s Wells celebrates creative ageing with films, workshops and artist talks as well as performances by mature performers. Turns out you can still dance fantastically, whatever your age, so long as you keep moving. At Sadler’s Wells there is a volunteer dance troupe , the Company of Elders which has around 20 members – women and men – aged 60 or above. In fact, their eldest star, Jeanette, is 92-years-old.
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There’s an audition workshop to join, held every two years or so. Once in the Company of Elders, you are part of Sadler’s Wells with a regular Friday dance class, the opportunity to work with the world’s best choreographers and even travel to dance festivals. In the past the Company of Elders have performed in Japan, Italy, Russia, Sweden and Portugal.
If you are the sort of person who has to move when you hear music, and you are over 60-years-old, then it might be time to add joining the Company of Elders at Sadler’s Wells to your wish list. But whether that’s you or not, below you can enjoy meeting three people getting ready for the festival and if you can definitely go and see them perform. Tickets for 16 and 18 June 2022 are here.
- More info about Sadler’s Wells, off Rosebery Avenue, N1 at https://www.sadlerswells.com/
- See the Company of Elders in action on 16 and 18 June at the Elixir Festival. Tickets can be booked at https://www.sadlerswells.com/elixir-festival-elixir-extracts-2022/
- The Fox Garden Court Cafe at Sadler’s Wells is open to all – it’s a shining white space and there’s a strong chance you’ll see dancers and Sadler’s Wells enthusiasts if you go there.
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Favourite places in Islington for the Company of Elders crew
Company of Elders rehearsing (c) Dave Barros
- Catriona: I often have an egg sandwich at the Lilian Baylis café and I love to come here to see shows. Standout ones include Matthew Bourne.
- Simona: I never knew what kind of thriving community is at Exmouth Market until I moved nearby. People know each other and ask how you are at Café Kick (43 Exmouth Market), Sweet Boulangerie & Patisserie (64A Exmouth Market) and Briki (67 Exmouth Market)
- Simona: I used to work at the Claremont Centre. We enjoyed a lot of performances around Islington Green and lovely to work with artists for collaborations with Cubitt. Claremont is a good place for older people, or anyone lonely, to go. it’s fun: the place to be in Islington for older people.”
- Elaine: I love Botanique at 31 Exmouth Market for flowers https://botaniqueworkshop.com/
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Meet some of the dancers and organisers of the C0mpany of Elders: Catriona, Elaine, Simona
Right: Catriona Maccolli, was 60 when she joined as a member of the Company of Elders, which is based at Sadler’s Wells. Since then she’s danced at least once a week and has been involved in many dance tours including overseas festivals. Far left: Elaine Foley who is Projects Manager for Learning & Engagement at Sadler’s Wells. (c) Islington Faces
Catriona Maccolli, 70
Member of the Company of Elders
“I’ve lived in Islington for 21 years, ever since I found a housing association place. I was working as a drama therapist, and when I was made redundant the Company of Elders were interviewing and I went along,” says Catriona looking super fit in a tracksuit top after the final Friday rehearsal for Eleesha Drennan’s new dance work with its high energy warm up.
Catriona was 60 when she joined – the Company of the Elders’ baby – but over the past 10 years she has performed often at Sadler’s Wells. Highlights have included a tour to Japan to dance at their Festival of Ageing , which is quite similar to the Elixir Festival happening on 16 and 18 June.
It’s clear Catriona who lives on Cally Road likes to move her body. She’s walked to the rehearsal and also fits in pilates and yoga at the Better fitness centres. “I find people often say that their mother or grandmother is not able to move but because of dancing when I ache, I know I’m working hard. I will go home and relax today.”
As we all know from watching Strictly, dancing is all about the joy of moving but remembering the steps is a huge part too. Luckily Catriona has a good tip for dealing with the choreography. “You have to listen to the music over and over again until you understand it. And you have to concentrate,” she says. Sadler’s Wells often sends videos to help the Company of Elders although Catriona admits that doesn’t help her as much as listening and doing.
- It was lovely to meet Catriona, here’s wishing her a fantastic experience at the Elixir Festival.
Elaine Foley
Projects Manager for Learning & Engagement
“Company of Elders is made up of 20 dancers and when spaces open for new members, we hold free, friendly workshops to meet new people. With our new theatre opening in Stratford next year, we’re particularly interested in meeting older adults from north and east London,” says Elaine Foley in the café at Sadler’s Wells over a cappucino. She’s a huge fan of the Company of Elders pointing out that: “You can see how dancing keeps people strong and flexible and keeps the mind active. This doesn’t mean you have to be in your prime condition to join. We welcome people, no matter what.”
- To join keep an eye on the Sadler’s Wells website.
Simona Scotto, Rehearsal Director for the Company of Elders, which is based at Sadler’s Wells, specialises in teaching dance to over 55-year-olds (c) Islington Faces
Simona Scotto, 50
Rehearsal Director for the Company of Elders
“The main remit is performing. Our dancers are more than athletes, it’s creative work,” says Simona Scotto who adores dance and a has a key role working with the Company of Elders on each of their choreography steps.
Dancing has been Simona’s job for years and so a perk is to see the dress rehearsals and other performances at Sadler’s Wells A recent joy was watching Pina Bausch’s The Rite of Spring (by Igor Stravinsky) with a company of dancers from different African countries. Rehearsals were filmed on a beach in Senegal for the Digital Stage – a curated online programme of dance performances, films and experiences. Enjoy the film, called Dancing at Dusk – a moment with Pina Bausch’s The Rite of Spring here.
Simona has worked in Islington for 20 years; lived here for 15 years and loves her recent move to a place in the iconic New River Head.
Simona is a lovely, warm person but she likes the reputation she has as a fierce Rehearsal Director. She’s also strong on keeping people fit, explaining that she “always asks people to do dance classes outside our Fridays. It’s super important to keep active every day, so at rehearsals your body and mind moves better.”
Being involved with the Company of Elders’ 20 members has revealed all sorts to Simona. “One thing I love about the company is it has inspired me as an ageing person. I’m Italian and so before the Company of Elders I was thinking older women make the pasta. But this has inspired me, and I want to continue growing in my age and being active – and as this was my 50th year I know I want to still dance and work in creative arts.
- Simona also teaches online dance classes at www.simonascotto.com
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Tips on staying fit and active from the Company of Elders
Rehearsal images from the piece Relive performed by the Company of Elders(c) Dave Barros
- Just keep moving!
- Borrow the dancers’ muscle repair ideas by using a tennis ball to massage your soles from Simona.
- Pull up gym bands under your arches to strengthen your foot – you can do this standing, sitting or lying down from Elaine.
- Enjoy a movement treat every day – pilates, dance, walk, anything. Catriona suggests “Find something you enjoy, else you won’t stick to it and get rid of your car!”
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Over to you
Also if you’d like to nominate someone to be interviewed who grew up, lives or works in Islington, or suggest yourself, please let me know, via islingtonfaces@gmail.com If you enjoyed this post you might like to look at the A-Z index, or search by interviewee’s roles or Meet Islingtonians to find friends, neighbours and inspiration. Thanks for stopping by. Nicola
