Twitter Q&A: Gary Avis

The Principal Character Artist's answers to your questions.

By Chris Shipman (Online Content Producer (Social Media and News))

14 December 2012 at 3.56pm

Gary Avis in The Nutcracker © ROH/Johan Persson 2010

View the story "Q&A: Gary Avis of The Royal Ballet" on StorifyQ&A: Gary Avis of The Royal BalletThe Principal Character Artist answers your questions.Storified by Royal Opera House · Fri, Dec 14 2012 08:28:26@chandler_ch: What age were you when you knew you wanted to be a ballet dancer? Gary: Initially I wanted to be a musical theatre dancer. I got the ballet bug at performing arts college… #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouseGary: …I’d done ballet training from 12 but only auditioned for @RoyalBalletSch at 17. #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouse@chloecjoly: Which role would you love to dance? Gary: I’d have loved to have danced Prince Rudolf in Mayerling-as well as a great dancing role, he’s a great character… #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouseGary: …For character roles, I’d love to dance Carabosse from The Sleeping Beauty or Widow Simone (La Fille mal gardée) #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouse@ArtyClarkey: Who are your dance heroes?Gary: Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire. I’m inspired by their films – I love ‘American in Paris’,'Singing in the Rain’ and ‘Bandwagon’ #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouseGary: ‘Bandwagon’ particularly because it was a number I performed with @DarceyOfficial on her Viva la diva arena tour. #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouse@tabbytwitch85: If you could turn any story into a ballet, what would it be and what character would you play?Gary: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and I’d like to play Willy Wonka (Christopher Wheeldon, if you’re reading this…) #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouse@sonalihindmarch: I’m 32 but would love to get involved in ballet. What would your advice be?Gary: It’s never too late! Take a look online for local ballet classes. Strictly has made adult ballet really popular! … #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouseGary: …dance and ballet has become more acceptable for men too – which is great and a real change from when I started! #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouseGary Avis as Drosselmeyer and Brian Maloney and Bethany Keating as Dolls in The Nutcracker ©Johan Persson/ROH 2010Royal Opera House Covent Garden@elliottfranks: Are you planning to develop your acting ability and to explore non-dance opportunities in TV/Film in the future?Gary: …I’d definitely consider it though- maybe my musical theatre career will kick off. Any directors – http://www.garyavis.com #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouse@oyayubi2: What is your favourite scene from The Nutcracker?Gary: The transformation because I *actually* believe I’m transforming the #ROHnutcracker stage. It has such beautiful music! #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouse@DaveTriesBallet: You’re such an awesome Drosselmeyer – do you have a favourite part of The Nutcracker (to perform or watch)?Gary: I love watching the pas de deux after the battle scene because I also coach it… #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouseGary: …so it’s great to watch the Clara and Nephew who I’ve coached perform it and see the end result… #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouseGary: …I also love the magic tricks but sometimes it’s touch and go! #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouse@hunofbun: What would your ultimate Christmas indulgence be? Gary: Definitely Christmas decorations, I’m like a magpie – anything that glitters, I have to have in my house! … #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouseGary: …my ultimate Christmas indulgence is Tunis cake though > http://bit.ly/Y13V0f #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouseZenaida Yanowsky, Gary Avis and Nehemiah Kish in The Royal Ballet’s Swan Lake © ROH/Bill CooperRoyal Opera House Covent Garden@theballetbag: What’s the most challenging character role to perform with The Royal Ballet and why?Gary: The most challenging are the female roles (eg Ugly sisters in Cinderella/Duchess in Alice)… #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouse@knittingtastic: Do you prefer playing a goodie or baddie (boo hiss!)?Gary: I like playing both as they both have their strengths. I like being a baddie because it’s like having an alter ego… #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouseGary: …but it’s always nice getting cheers rather than boos because I am actually a ‘Mr Nice guy’! #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouse@heyhojudes: What would you like for Christmas? Gary: A rest or a holiday to Mauritius! Anything that glitters (Tunis Cake *cough*) & anything that fits through stage door ;) #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouse@psldn: How did you become involved with The Hunger Project UK, the charity that you’re patron of? Gary: My partner is the UK Director. I was then asked to create a Gary Avis & Friends gala (we raised £50,000) … #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouseGary: …and I wanted to further my involvement. You can find out more about them at http://www.thehungerproject.co.uk/ #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouseWhat do you love most about dancing with The Royal Ballet?Gary: I love performing at the ROH. I love the rep and I love the sense of teamwork and the family of dancers I work with daily #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouseWhat’s the hardest part about being a professional dancer?Gary: Getting up in the morning and as I’m getting older, the aches and pains that I get on a regular basis… #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouseGary: …That said, the pros definitely outweigh the cons – I’m very lucky! #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouse@zxDaveM: Are you the largest individual user of glitter confetti in The Royal Ballet? Gary: In the world, surely!? #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouseGary Avis and Steven McRae at The National Dance Awards 2011 © ROH 2011Royal Opera House Covent Garden@becca_tweet: You were recently the Ballet Master for Infra, how did you help the second cast find ‘their’ interpretation?Gary: We taught the choreography and then gave them space and time to develop their interpretation… #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouseGary: …I can only guide, it’s not good to dictate. It’s good not to replicate the 1st cast as it keeps the ballet fresh #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouse@hunofbun: If you could dance with any partner (dead or alive), what/who would it be and why? Gary: [pondering pause] That’s a really tough question! I’ve been fortunate to dance with many of The RB’s greats… #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouseGary: …it would be unfair to choose one (dead or alive!). #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouse@TomT1980: What was your highlight of 2012?Gary: Livescreening with The Royal Ballet and presenting #ROHnutcracker plus partnering with Darcey Bussell… #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouseGary: for The Spirit of the Flame at the London 2012 Olympics Closing Ceremony. That was amazing! #AskGaryAvisRoyalOperaHouseDarcey Bussell and Royal Ballet Principals at the London 2012 closing ceremony © Reuters/Gary HershornRoyal Opera House Covent GardenGary Avis is currently performing the role of Drosselmeyer in The Nutcracker which runs until 16 January 2013.