slowdown and dance with.me.uk

Behind the Scenes

INTERVIEWS

Name: Michael Rooney

Job Title: Choreographer

How did you get to work with Kylie?

Director Dawn Shadsforth had requested me for Kylie's new Video 'Can't Get You Out Of My Head'. I was so thrilled to get that call from my agent. I packed my bags as fast as I could and got to London lickety-split. I do not know if Kylie knows this, but I made up all that choreography in my hotel room. I wanted to keep those movements tight and so I forced myself to rehearse in a 5X5 area! The rest is well... you know, MTV GOLD!

What does your job entail and how many people are involved in your area of tour preparation?

My part of the job is to choreograph and stage the tour and to follow William Baker's vision. I am also responsible for keeping the dancers on their toes and to make sure that all numbers are polished.

How much preparation goes into a tour of this scale and when does your involvement begin?

I started at the end of 2004 for this amazing tour when I auditioned dancers in London. And I usually prep for a big job like this about 3 weeks before I actually start to rehearse with Kylie and the dancers. Again following William Baker's lead and the Musical Director Steve Anderson's tracks, I like to close my eyes and envisage how the numbers could be. I do not like to choreograph right away. The movement usually comes to me at odd times. Sometimes in my sleep-when my subconscious can do it's best work. We had about 5 weeks of intense rehearsal for this tour. A lot of blood, sweat and tears!

How does this tour differ from Kylie's previous tours?

I think what is so wonderful about this tour is that Kylie is now able to express herself in a more womanly fashion. Doing all her number one hits in a much more mature way. Gracing the stage with her zest for her fans, keeps this singing and dancing Diva wanting to constantly grow as an Artist! Love that in her!

What is it like working with Kylie?

I get this question asked all the time and I must say again... I cant wait to get to rehearsals with Kylie, she makes my job so much fun! She works so hard and she picks up choreography in a snap! She knows how to move that body of hers, so she will tell me things that she wants incorporated into the show and I will try my best to make those moves happen in the right place on the tour.

I have never worked with someone like her before. She sings live... did you hear me? I said Kylie sings LIVE! Thats almost unheard of these days. She holds onto that microphone and switches it back and forth while doing all these incredible movements and lifts. I am just amazed at how much she memorizes all the moves with that microphone. She is a true professional and I am glad that I had a chance to choreograph for such a nice BOSS!

Best tour story?

When William Baker came into my rehearsals and saw some of the numbers that I had choreographed for the first time and at the end he told me he was GOBSMACKED!

Worst tour nightmare?

When at the last minute things get cut or changed and you have less then 24 hours to make those corrections. But I do love a challenge!

What is your favourite Kylie song?

UGHHHH!!! What a hard question! All of her songs have so much meaning. A lot of thought is put into the fact that even though Kylie is the POP DIVA of the world her lyrics are heart felt and meaningful, saying that I will have to say that my favorite song of Kylie's is 'Put Yourself In My Place'.

[Evidently related to Mickey Rooney, a fairly good dancer in his own day.]