A view from the balcony at pool I am to perform in. Yarborough leisure centre
After being in the pool for one hour, I have established one main conclusion. I am certainly not as fit as I used to be! Fear not however, as this is not a synchronised swimming competition and there are certain moves that do not need to be performed accurately and I am sure making a bit of a splash will not be frowned upon in the performance. I have therefore decided that, struggling and all; this may be a positive aspect of the piece after all, I don’t want my routine to be the typical all smiling, all dancing performance that is synchronised swimming. I want the audience to see and feel my pain, laughter, anger and enjoy watching the piece as much as I enjoy performing it. In the unfortunate circumstance that I do drown during the piece, at least it goes well with the title.
Today way my first rehearsal and training day in the pool and although I had not yet made my music for the piece, I did know what tracks I would like to use and therefore took these with me to experiment with and start devising ideas for the piece.
I also took this opportunity to experiment with props in the water for performance as I wanted the last piece to involve myself becoming wrapped up and entwined in fabric. I firstly tried ribbon but this was too thin to be seen and therefore wouldn’t give the impact I desired. Sheet of material didn’t work as in was too heavy for me to move and play with and rope was not very durable or visible. I have decided that I will have to come up with a new idea for this part of the performance and return back to it next rehearsal.
All in all a very good start, but damm my body’s going to be aching in the morning.
The first representation of elements of synchronised swimming were the works of Annette Kellerman in the early 20th century, who started her career by swimming long distances of open water around America and the United Kingdom. After receiving much attention from the media, Kellerman soon saw huge potential for profit to be made from her swimming skills, “If she had to swim, she could turn it into a spectacular performance” (Gibson 2005, p18). This would later develop in many different shows and venues across Europe and America including: London Hippodrome, White City Amusement park and Wonderland Boston. With her reputation as the “Australian Mermaid”, Kellerman later pursued her career as an actress and started performing in silent films where the majority contained aquatic themes, such as Venus of the South Seas:
“Feature numerous underwater sequences: firstly Kellerman is seen swimming underwater and battling pearl thieves as Shona Royale, the daughter of a South-Sea pearler; and later, she starts in an extended ‘fantasy’ underwater sequence…” (Cooke 2012, p149)
What started off as purely swimming demonstrations was developed with underwater movements, dives and costume that produced a completely different type of performance. “She had created something entirely new and throughout her career she was to perfect this and raise it to an art form” (Gibson 2005, p18). Annette used her skills as a trained dancer and successful athlete to create a new way of moving though the water and entertaining an audience.
In my performance I hope to expand these underwater movements, along with physical theatre, to create a story for the audience.
Spain’s synchronised swimming team compete in the final of the free combination synchronised swimming competition in the FINA World Championships 2011
“As an activity synchronised swimming may be considered a highly competitive individual or team sport or a highly skilled art form.” (Jones 1975, p1)
Water Ballet was introduced in the early 20th century as purely floatation patterns, tricks and stunts performed in swim classes, aquacades and movies. This later progressed and grew into the sport of synchronised swimming which we see today. However traces of its roots can be dated back as far as ancient Greece and Rome. Water-filled arena,s or even lakes, were used for theatre and performance. “Boys and girls were swimming like Tritons and Nimphas, making beautiful figures in the water with their bodies” (Bean 2005, p3). My aim for my performance is to take synchronised swimming back to its roots, disregard the rules, regulations and restrictions of the sport and make it fun and exciting entertainment.
The elements of creating art in water developed differently within separate countries throughout generations: The Germans produced Bild schwimmen “picture swimming” in which females would perform beautiful floating formations to music for spectators’ enjoyment. This developed further as costume was added to the effect and the swimmers made web-like shapes and patterns in the water. England however, constructed a more physically demanding aspect to the sport of synchronised swimming in which only men could participate. This was called “Ornamental Swimming” where they would execute”…various stunts individually, much as in a diving competition.” (Bean 2005, p3)
