Page 107 of Dancing Fools and All That Jazz
They are part-way through a full run-through when the music is suddenly cut and a male voice over the speaker says, ‘Pardon. Excusez l’interruption. Clarissa Kirkland, is it possible for you to come to the stalls for to be in a meeting,tout de suite? Merci.’
Clarissa leaves the stage – where the ladies continue – and ends up standing next to me.
She leans in to tell me, ‘This will be about Bold as Brass. I am glad you are here, Fay… Ah, Frédéric.’ Clarissa steps forward to greet the French organiser who, a giant of a man, emerges from the closest theatre entrance.
He folds her tiny hand inside his huge ones as he beams at her. ‘Bonjour, Clarissa.Merveilleux de vous voir, ma belle dame.’
He kisses the back of her hand but Clarissa’s wide smile freezes on her face as Sheila then emerges from behind Frédéric. She stands next to him and folds her arms tightly across her chest.
‘Clarissa.’
‘Sheila.’
‘Mesdames, we must talk about the forthcoming show together.’ Frédéric ushers Clarissa and Sheila into the seats in front of me. They leave an empty seat between them and Frédéric moves to the row forward of theirs and kneels on the chair to face them. His large frame only just squeezes into the chair, but he covers his grimace with a smile.
‘Clarissa,félicitations. Votre chorégraphie est fantastique…Sorry, I am saying…’
‘Yes, I understand, Frédéric. Thank you. But we are here to discuss the Bold as Brass rendition of “Roxanne” and I can assure you it is entirely my choreography that they have used.’
‘Not all of it,’ Sheila objects.
‘Every last step and I can prove it.’ Clarissa holds up her phone.
‘Indeed,’ I echo from behind the group, keeping perfectly still as I know full well we do not have the clip Monica had promised now her phone is smashed.
Frédéric indicates for Clarissa to continue but thankfully Sheila, shuffling awkwardly in her chair flicks her hand in the air and says, ‘Fine. It is Clarissa’s dance, but I have enhanced it with our costumes and dramatic interpretation…’
Clarissa starts to object, but Frédéric turns to her and opens his hands. ‘The dance, it is yours, Clarissa. It will be announced it is yours. You will get the fullest accolade for this wonderful number.’
Clarissa pauses, as though deep in thought before adding, ‘I would not normally agree to such a proposition.It is, after all, dance plagiarism.’
Sheila tuts loudly, but Frédéric throws her a warning look before continuing.
‘I must inform you, Clarissa, we have many, many more people coming to watch the show tonight. Indeed, we areépuisés… that is, sold out. Yes,c’est vrai. Every seat has been sold overnight. Any idea why? Clarissa, they want to see your “Roxanne” dance.’
‘I do not understand.’ Clarissa glances back at me and I shrug.
‘The final section of the dance, it was on the French television last night. The clip has gone viral on the internet…’
‘Bold as Brass are properly famous…’ Sheila starts.
‘Infamous,’ I mutter under my breath.
Frédéric flaps his hands to shush Sheila and appeals directly to Clarissa.
‘Now the theatre, it is full to capacity and they all want to see your incredible routine…’
‘I do not for a minute think it was my choreography that caused this public interest.’ Clarissa glares at Sheila, but before Sheila can retort, Frédéric quiets her with a finger to his lips before turning to Clarissa.
‘It will be the largest audience ever in the history of the Expression competition. And Clarissa, you know what they say, there is no such thing as bad publicity. Indeed, this could be the making of the Expression show. Think of the press interest, the exposure…’
I bite my tongue.
‘…our dance competition could finally hit the bigtime:un succès retentissant!’
‘Yes, well, I can see that.’
Frédéric holds his breath as Clarissa rubs her forehead.
