Page 120 of Dancing Fools and All That Jazz
When the rhythm switches to a brief lyrical section, our moves are soft and flowing before the pace charges upagain to high-speed jazz.
I’m aware only of us on the stage. We’re one cohesive unit, completely in step. Our wide smiles are genuine. This is the best feeling ever.
The instrumental interlude sees us forming a tight group at the front of the stage. We all sharply raise our hands high – fingers wide – and back. Then again, splayed out so we are framed in a circle of open hands. We twist to the side and slide-step on the spot as we look to the wings, then as one we turn our heads to the front.
We turn, sidestep, then lurch away from each other and back and start the crazy walks. Our backs are bent forward, our hands swing high and low, our faces turn to face the audience.
Ingrida, on cue, goes the wrong way and play-acts wide mouth horror before catching us up in double time.
The air between us is charged. By the time we get to the final line about being a dancing fool, we’re all crossing through each other, mock speed-running, raising our hats and finally stepping into the frantic Charleston section, hands thrown wide, eyes bright and faces animated with fun. On the final note when Barry shouts ‘Yeah.’ We all throw our hats high into the air and freeze with our arms raised.
The applause is thunderous. Tears prick the back of my eyes as I take it all in.
We take a short bow, then the instrumental music replays as we pile the hats – one on top of each other – into Ruby’s hands and dance off the stage.
Wolf whistles can be heard along with further clappingas we leave the auditorium and green room behind.
Back in the dressing room, we all talk at once.
‘It was over too quickly,’ I say, panting like the others after the sheer exertion of the dance.
‘It went by in a flash.’
‘Edith, you were amazing.’
‘I loved it. What brilliant fun that was. I need to come down off the ceiling before we do the “Fix You” number.’
‘I’m dripping, but so happy.’ Ruby high-fives Cath, Bonnie and Ingrida. ‘Did you hear that applause?’
‘Beat that, Sheila Bold.’ Bonnie punches the air with her fist.
‘It was very good,ja?I think it was best we ever do dance.’
‘It was. And now I think we deserve to get ossified.’
‘Is that an Irish term?’
‘Sloshed to you, Bonnie.’
‘Ha ha. You were marvellous, Ingrida, fancy dancing with such high energy in your condition… oops.’
‘I do not have condition, Bonnie. You make mistake.’
‘Oh, I am so sorry, Ingrida, I must have got the wrong end of the stick… Asha, are you OK? You look a bit pale. Do you need to sit down?’
Asha shakes her head and rushes out in the direction of the toilets.
Bonnie looks at Cath with her eyebrows raised.
Edith strips off her costume and puts on her blue dress ready for her next dance before we all thank her again and she waves goodbye from the door.
‘Good luck and stay in touch,’ I call to her.
‘Will do.’
When our chatter calms, a buzzing noise can be heard. I see it is Asha’s phone on the dressing table so, in her absence, I lift it and press the flashing green answer button.
‘Hi, Asha’s phone – Monica here… Hi Hazel, everything OK? Yes, thank you. Yes, it was the best we have ever danced it. So glad Clarissa agrees.’ I call out to the others, ‘Hazel said we moved Clarissa to tears. Who? Oh, Ruby? Yes… really? Yes… OK, I will send her up.’
