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Remembering
Alison
Christina Ballard and Lindsay Haynes share some
of their favourite memories of Alison Willett who passed
away in October 2008
I
was very touched and honoured to be asked to write a
tribute about Alison who sadly died recently. She was
one of the most compassionate and creative people I
have ever met.
Above:
Alison at Congress held at Camden Town Hall in July
1991
Alison
was trained by Sheila Tozer in Nottingham and had been
working on a Course of Study for Boys Work. She was
asked to lecture at Congress in 1973 and that was the
first time I met her. As she was preparing for the start
of her lecture, I noticed that she seemed a quiet person
displaying the usual pre-lecture nerves – slightly
pale with a look of anxiety on her face!
There
were already some 20 boys on the dance floor, ranging
in age from 8 to 16 and she had brought some of her
own boys to use as demonstrators. A quick thought flashed
through my mind at that instant, comparing the need
to be slightly authoritarian with a large group of boys,
and Alison’s quiet demeanour. I was yet to witness
the transformation!
Above: Alison’s boys performing
at the Tozer Studios’ show at the Theatre Royal,
Nottingham in 1981. Many of the boys pictured went on
to perform in regional and West End theatre and on television
As
Alison stepped onto the dance floor she immediately
changed into someone altogether different! “Good
morning boys”, she said, and straight away all
the boys stood still, feet together – their attention
totally focused on Alison. She had an amazing calm manner,
a lovely sense of humour and such an obvious commitment
to her work and to the boys. She was totally ‘in
charge’ and the boys responded to her expert teaching
and her willingness to make them feel energised and
confident in their ability.
Her
work was athletic but carefully structured and supported
by sound technique. The boys developed expertise and
a sense of theatre under her tutelage, gaining confidence
and a pride in their work. It is easy to forget how
few boys were going to dance classes in those days,
although Alison had a strong group of all ages in her
own school.
The applause at the end of her lecture reflected the
admiration and respect of all spectators and thus a
legend was born.
Alison
then went on to choreograph specific boys exercises
for inclusion in the then Modern Stage Branch syllabi.
As teachers we went on a course to learn it and I remember
the fun we had getting our act together with the ‘Boxer’
amalgamation and trying to look masculine! Under Alison’s
teaching out went the occasional slightly feminine head
angle and in came the low down feel, focus and direct
eye line necessary to get the right ‘look’.
I
came to know more of Alison when, as part of the Development
Group, we were working on the new Modern Grade Syllabi.
I discovered she was an extremely caring and compassionate
person, always concerned about the wellbeing of her
dance colleagues, over and above her own state of health
and ‘life’ concerns. She was not lucky enough
to have overall good health and often drove herself
a little too far in her commitment to her work. She
had to bring up her two sons on her own and in this
matter we were kindred spirits – often swopping
thoughts and ideas on the best way to combine being
single mums, dance teachers, examiners and committee
members – both of us ‘winging it’
most of the time! We had some good laughs at our attempts
in this, and what our sons said to us in their wiser
moments! Whenever we thought we had achieved the right
balance, one or other of our sons would soon put us
right!
Apart
from Alison’s brilliance with the Boys work, she
was also a consummate choreographer. Her solos for entrants
in the Janet Cram Competition were always stunning and
I distinctly remember one in particular for a little
girl in the Junior section. Her work throughout the
class displayed secure technique and a lovely quality
of movement but for me, she made history when she came
on for her solo with two lovely golden fans. The music
had an oriental quality and the dance was exquisite!
Totally appropriate for that child – no clever
tricks just for the sake of it – no filling every
bar of music with frantic movement, just a beautiful
lyrical artistry that was so much a unique part of Alison’s
work. It is a testament to Alison that years and years
later I can still ‘see’ that little girl.
Another
side to Alison was her work and ministry at Southwell
Minster. She was training to be a lay reader and was
invited by Carol Venn to read a tribute at the funeral
of Carol’s mother, Ivy Baker. Alison was not too
well at the time but again, that sense of focus and
quiet authority was in evidence as she stepped up to
deliver Carol’s words. Everyone in that room was
transfixed by her simple command and compassion, and
I remember thinking that if Alison had her own church
it would have been a ‘full house’ every
week.
Bless
you Alison for your love and care, your artistry and
skill and, above all, for the excellent way you brought
up your two sons, Marcus and Ben, who each in their
own way, are continuing your artistic tradition. Marcus,
is a fine opera singer, and Ben a talented drummer.
We raise a glass to your memory!
Christina
Ballard
Lindsay
Haynes, Principal of Tozer Studios, kindly submitted
the photographs used in this article. We are most grateful
to Lindsay for both the photos and the following memories
she offered to us:
“I first met Alison at the old ISTD HQ for a boys’
Modern course in 1990 when I was a student at London
college studying for my modern Associate exam.
Above:
during Congress held at Camden Town Hall in July
1991 Tozer studios (choreographed by Alison) performed
in the lecture ‘Demonstrations emphasising
the challenges and problems of choreography for
young children’. Postman Pat was Alison’s
son, Ben Farnsworth, who was five years old |
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When
I moved to Nottinghamshire in 1994 along with my teaching
career, I was proprietor of a dancewear retail business
and supplied all the uniform and costumes for Tozer
studios. In 1997 Alison invited me to teach within her
school, syllabus Modern and Tap along with Free Ballet
and Greek. My workload quickly extended into choreographing
for festivals and shows.
In 2003, Alison encouraged me to reinstate Tozer studios
as a venue for teachers’ courses in the Nottinghamshire
and Leicestershire area. After teaching alongside Alison
for eight years I was appointed head of Modern and Tap
within the school.
In
early 2008, I was appointed Head of School, which involved
all the day-to-day running of teaching and decision
making at the school. In August 2008, Alison decided
along with her two sons that I would become principal
of Tozer studios.
Alison lost her courageous fight on 7th October 2008.
I
am extremely honoured and grateful for the opportunity
to have worked for and alongside such an inspirational
teacher and friend.
Lindsay
Haynes |
