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THEATRE: Billy Elliot hotfoots to the rescue of Carousel
Danny Brierley14 May 2009
One of the country's best-known dancers came to the rescue of a West End musical when three performers dropped out hours before the curtain went up.
Producers faced having to cancel last night's performance of Carousel at the Savoy Theatre after their main dancer and his two understudies were unable to make it on stage.
But Adam Cooper, who choreographed the production, answered a frantic call and rushed across London to appear in the show — with only 30 minutes of rehearsal.
The drama began at 2.30pm when producers were told that the show could not go ahead because dancer Tom Dwyer and one of his two understudies, Leon Webster, were unable to perform. The second understudy was on holiday.
Faced with the prospect of having to cancel the show and leave hundreds of ticket holders in the lurch, producer Kim Poster phoned Cooper asking for help.
The 37-year-old, who was rehearsing for another West End production, agreed to the last-minute request. He received a standing ovation after his 15-minute solo segment. Ms Postera, a friend of the dancer, said: “I rang him and begged him to appear because I wanted it to happen for our audience.”
He told her: “Go on then, absolutely, we cannot disappoint the audience.” After his hasty preparations, Cooper, according to theatre staff, “performed the most exquisite pas de deux ballet seen in theatre in the past 10 years”.
When the show ended, he was given a bouquet of flowers from co-star Leslie Garrett, who plays Nettie Fowler in the Rodgers and Hammerstein show Cooper, an internationally renowned and award-winning dancer, is probably best known for his performance in Matthew Bourne's all-male version of Swan Lake. He also played the role of the grown-up Billy Elliot in the smash -hit film.
Joining the Royal Ballet company nearly 20 years ago, Cooper was named principal dancer in 1994. He later appeared in a host of shows, including Singin' in the Rain, Guys and
Dolls, Grand Hotel at the Donmar and his own production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses.
Last night's show is thought to be the first time all understudies for a West End part were unavailable for a performance. Audience members said his appearance had been a surprise treat.
Dale Picot-De-Kretser, from Barnet, said: “I knew someone was stepping in but did not think it would be someone as famous as Adam. It was fabulous, I loved his dance.”
Colleen O'Keefe, 70, from Crystal Palace, said: “It was terrific. There was no announcement to say he would be appear ing but i t made a nice surprise.”
Ms Poster said after the final curtain: “I can't express enough gratitude to Adam, the kindness he showed by stepping in at the last moment is what the theatre is all about.
“He really is a role model for everyone who is in theatre and everyone who wants to be in it.”
Reader views (3)
I have seen Adam dance and have met him once.He is the nicest and down to earth guy that you could ever meet.Good on you mate
- Selwyn Channon, epsom, 14/05/2009 13:27
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That's one of the nicest and most heart warming stories I've read in weeks. Bravo Adam.
- Ben Farrell, London, 14/05/2009 12:51
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Well done Adam Cooper - that audience was very lucky indeed!
However, last night was not "the first time all understudies for a West End part were unavailable for a performance". The same thing happened a few years ago with The Phantom of the Opera. The leading lady couldn't go on and nor could the Alternate and the understudy was on holiday in Australia. Thankfully the wonderful Charlotte Page was able to rescue the performance (she had left the cast a few months previously) and did a brilliant job.
Here's hoping the usual Carousel dancers are better soon!
- Lavinia, London, 14/05/2009 10:27
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