The Algarve´s Dancing Queen
Forty-two years ago Gwen Morris is credited by many as having brought classical ballet to Lagos. Sophie Sadler’s daughters are now students at the Gwen Morris Dance School and after watching them perform in a number of shows she decided she want to learn more about the woman who set up the academy.
I meet with Gwen Franco née Morris, for a cup of coffee near her ballet school in Torraltinha. I am interested to find out what brought her to the Algarve in 1977. After training at the Hammond Performing Arts school in Cheshire, England, she was a dancer in a professional company which toured Europe. She left London in April 1974, just days before the Carnation Revolution. Little did she know that the political events happening in Portugal would provide the backdrop for her future endeavours.
She toured for three years visiting Switzerland, Spain, Malta and then Portugal, in the show, which covered commercial dance. After meeting her husband in Lagos and relishing the opportunity to live abroad, she decided to stay. At that time no one spoke English and there were hardly any expats but she embraced the challenge of learning the language.
She started to teach ballet in the Escola de Musica, as the only teacher at that time she would travel around the Algarve to give lessons, mainly to the Portuguese. The Lagos music school was established by a local priest and funded by the Camâra, before this, the only music venue was in Faro.
April 25th brought with it huge change and it also opened the door for everyone to study music and dance whereas before it had been more selective, with only the wealthier able to pay. So the political change provided the ideal opportunity for Gwen to bring classical ballet to the local population.
When Gwen first arrived she did a lot of charity performances including one for the bombeiros in the cinema. It gave local people the opportunity to see ballet which was not otherwise accessible.
She had to leave the Escola de Musica when they no longer had space for her and then bought her current studio. Now there are only three teachers in the Algarve, including Gwen, which follow the Royal Academy. I ask her why this is her chosen model? “It gives children the opportunity to have something tangible, a diploma in their hand and a skill set. It also makes us push them to a level we probably wouldn't otherwise do and it gives them a great sense of achievement.”
The Royal Academy examines in 79 countries and the examiners are spread worldwide but are all English speaking and sent by the Royal Academy in London. “We used to have to take girls to Lisbon to take the exams but now there are enough students to warrant them coming to Lagos.”
“Children always surprisingly love the experience of the exams and even the child that is not confident can find that confidence from within and often want to do it again. We encourage them to achieve their highest potential and we have great results.”
Ballet is steeped in tradition and Gwen has tried to continue that in her school, “I trained in a time when perhaps things were a little more rigid and strict but I try to pass that feeling of discipline and respect onto the teacher and the pupils. A sense of courtesy is integrated into the teaching of classical ballet. Not just an art form but a way of being.”
Around 15 of Gwen´s students have become professional dancers, teachers or choreographers, a few of these have gained entrance to Escola Superior in Lisbon including one boy. “That is a bonus but the main thing is providing the opportunity to as many as you can. It's nice to feel you contribute to the community.
One of these former students is Sofia Rodrigues who has been teaching at Gwen's school since 2004. Sofia was sent to ballet lessons with Gwen by her mother because she had bad posture. “In those days it was not the norm to have ballet lessons;” Sofia recalls. “I was the only girl in my school who had them. I gave up when I was about 18 and got a job in a shop. I was very unhappy with my work and returned to have ballet lessons with Gwen. When I was younger I had helped out with the little girls and I asked if Gwen needed me again.” She did and the rest is history!”
The ballet teachers need to take the courses in Lisbon required by the Royal Academy, Sofia says; “When I give a class I try to pass some of the love I have for dance to the children. The English style is so beautiful and especially good for children. I have huge respect for Gwen as she brought this style to Lagos and so many of us have benefitted. She taught me everything about ballet but also gave me the passion for dance.”
" I ran the school for over 20 years alone then ex-pupils gradually joined.” Sofia in 2004, then Ana, her daughter and more recently Daniela. “I am very grateful to have a team of such wonderful teachers. Running a school is complex and Sofia and Ana are also part of the administration and their creative and choreographic skills are invaluable. Jenny is our talented contemporary teacher, and Ana Leal provides Hip Hop for the more energetic pupils. For adults, we have Oriental Dance with Vera and Urban Dance with Tess.”
In July the school does the Espetaculo do Ballet which takes the whole year to put together. They started doing the shows 25 years ago in the Lagos and three years ago it moved to the Arade arena as they had outgrown the Cultural Centre. They need sponsors to fund the props, lighting and music. “Even the Royal Ballet Company need sponsors;” Gwen laughs, “Any donation from a business is tax deductible and the buzz the children get for it makes it such a worthwhile local cause to support. Our shows each year require great creativity and passion for what we do.”
She adds; “Performing on stage gives children those happy moments they will treasure forever. Whether or not it is amateur it provides a joyous moment that will stay with you. Standing on stage will also give children confidence, lots of dancers are introvert but can express themselves by movement and find a part of themselves they feel confident about.”
Even the three years olds can take part in the shows, the older girls dance with the little ones offering essential direction! By pre-primary, however, they have developed the ability to memorise the steps and learning choreography is great for brain and motor development.”
We need fantasy in our lives and the Gwen Morris school always choose the most stunning costumes for the children, they wear makeup and glitter which they adore! Notwithstanding providing amazing Kodak moments for Mummys like me, make-believe is a wonderful thing and way better for girls than watching yet another Disney movie!
Gwen and her wonderful teachers are planting a beautiful seed of memory in their pupil's minds with will hopefully grow into a love of dance and blossom into an appreciation of the performing arts for their lives to come.
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