Week 5: Turns out I love Juggling!

 I wish I could explain in words just how insane, magical and bizarre my Friday afternoon was. (Friday is always presentation day, with each of the disciplines taking their turn: last week was Acro; this week was Equilibristics & Manipulation – that's juggling to the un-initiated!) I sat in the gym and listened to a three minute excerpt of Rossini's La Gazza Ladra (Thieving Magpie) thirty-four times. In a row. Whilst watching each one of my fellow classmates in turn prance about with a random object of their choice. And prancing we were. How I would have loved to see the look on my old manager's face. In fact, any of your faces who weren't there. Words really can't describe how glorious and insane and liberating it has been to stand back in class this week, glance about the room and see the studious look on everyone's faces as they throw, catch, slide, and manipulate a basket, a hat, a scarf, a bucket, a shoe or a wheel (or my own choice – a hot water bottle – and no, the video will not be posted!) around the room and their body. Yes, that's really what we did this week. Bonkers, but fantastic. Did anyone make any high art? I don't think so. But that's not the point. It was just an exploration. Of objects and what they and you can do.

And earlier in the week, during Performance classes playing Blood Potato, Cat and Mouse, stepping on each other's toes, or 'keepy-uppy' with a volleyball, and a whole host of other completely inexplicable games to anyone who wasn't in the room at the time ('Do the Opposite!'). It is so refreshing and feels like I'm back at playtime. There are 'serious' reasons behind all of these exercises of course – like making you less inhibited, or notice the 'honest' moments in performance. But mainly it's just fun. I've never smiled and laughed as much as I have here.

And I've discovered that I really like juggling! Who knew just how addictive it is? (Well, ok, my juggler classmate did warn me). And now I have a shiny new set of red, white and blue juggling balls that I can't put down. This week was also decision time for our two specialisations - and alongside Aerial I've put down E&M :) .

It was a bit of a surprise to find myself rather fearful of Acro, which I assumed would be a close contender for my second specialisation. It's also been amusing to hear our teachers thoroughly slate each other's disciplines this week: our Physical Theatre teacher told us if we pick both Acro & Aerial we can expect to get sick and injured a lot! And perhaps he is right. I feel I have chosen wisely, especially given my short time here, and that my choices will give me more strength and energy for the skills I'm really passionate about. Once we specialise we get a lot more of our own time – so I can also get back on the Chinese Pole, which I've hardly touched! (Apart from to see how I'm doing with Flag...) But I do love that we started by doing everything there is to offer at the school: it's passed too quickly already and I will definitely miss the disciplines I'm not taking.