“She was rubbish, how did she get the job?”

It’s been very useful being surrounded by all different types of performers in the pantomime I am currently working in as the general chit-chat as given me a lot of stimulation. Today the two boy dancers were discussing the show Billy Elliot. I found it interesting that the casting team don’t employ a child based on their classical training. They look for the character quality and then develop their strongest discipline; they showcase what they are good at. Each night is a completely different Billy Elliot, so one night it would be a Billy Elliot who was really strong at street and then the next night they would be doing fouette turns. This then reminded me of a ballet dancer I worked with who was in the show Thriller in the style of Michael Jackson. This amazed me but she said the chorographer taught her on the job. I started up a conversation and we realised that sometimes the casting panel can see potential in certain people. We are forever saying “she was rubbish, how did she get the job?” but sometimes you have to look past the fact they can’t do tap if they are auditioning for 40 Second Street. It could be lack or no training in that style but with the help of a choreographer they could be the best tapper of the cast.