The aim is to provide an "inclusive" vocabulary which will count women in the category of the "human" (not a sexist term apparently since it derives from the Latin humus for earth). In these post-feminist days where sexism has become, bizarrely, a gender-neutral activity, it is refreshing to encounter the assertion that "sexist language in this book refers to terms and usages that exclude or discriminate against women". for those PC bashers recently exercised about the anger of young white men or the reproductive noncompliance of young British women, Margaret Doyle's A-Z of Non-Sexist Language will be another irritant to cite at dinner parties and on arts programmes. "I don't look at them in that way."For further information about the Royal Ballet Education Department's work call 0171- 212 9410. For tickets for the 5pm or 7.30pm performances of `Samsara' at the Lewisham Theatre, Lewisham Way, London SE26 ring the box-office on 0181-690 0002 Tickets £3.75 (£1.80 concessions). She admits to being moved to tears by a group of 10-year-olds from Eastleigh. Has she ever detected any, er, talent among her brood? Discovering great dancers, blushing unseen, is not the point of this particular project (that function is performed by the wholly separate enterprise Chance to Dance), but (just out of interest) can any of them really dance? She appears genuinely nonplussed.
At the rehearsal stage, their enthusiasm is by far the most enjoyable aspect of the performance. For Darryl Jaffray, the choreography is the most important thing: "Sometimes I've seen more interesting and original choreography from young people who don't dance than from professionals". As with any group of this age, their physical age ranges from 11 to 35. But then, the same is often true of the Opera House orchestra.It's a big class of girls aged 14-15. The presence of a trench- coated harpie, shorthand notebook in hand, provokes neither shyness nor mischief, and the presence of one of the country's leading dance photographers is absolutely no problem at all On the contrary, this lot "love having their photo taken".
Not so the musicians, a decidedly unflamboyant-looking band who don't appear to be enjoying themselves hugely and would rather not have a photographic record of the experience thank you very much. "The people that we work with are the 95 per cent that don't normally go to ballet."Sydenham is one of the flagships of the project, with a strong music department and an excellent dance teacher, but Darryl finds huge variations from school to school and borough to borough "It's heartbreaking to see the difference," she says However, she is keen not to seem patronising. "It's not about distributing largesse to all these poor, disadvantaged people." Still, she does admit that the collaboration often does more than teach them about dance; in some cases general behaviour and attitude can be improved by involvement with the project - "It gives them a chance to shine," she enthuses.They are certainly having a very good time. However, given that ballet per se is not something that just anyone can do, the divine art of Nijinsky and Nureyev is considerably modified before it reaches Sydenham School for Girls. The guiding philosophy of the project is that ballet and opera are "inaccessible" (inverted commas supplied by Darryl Jaffray, The Royal Ballet Education Officer, who sketches them delicately in the air with her fingertips).
