LAP OF HONOUR
Dame Darcey Bussell, 50, was a principal dancer with the Royal Ballet for two decades until her retirement in 2007. She has appeared as a judge on the BBC show Strictly Come Dancing, performed at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games and is the President of the Royal Academy of Dance. A regular visitor to Goodwood, she lives in London with her husband and two daughters
Darcey Bussell I FIRST WENT TO GOODWOOD about 20 years ago when I gave an award to a horse – I think it was called Bussell! I was thrilled to be there. I didn’t ride as a child, but dancers are often compared to racehorses. We even get the same injuries: bone spurs. I had a couple in my knee and had to have them removed. MY FATHER WAS REALLY INTO SPORTS CARS. When I was at White Lodge (the Royal Ballet boarding school), I’d get great kudos when he dropped me off in one of his cars. I DROVE AT BRANDS HATCH once. I thought I was addicted to speed but when you have kids that addiction disappears instantly. I’VE BEEN ON THE JUDGING panel of Cartier Style et Luxe three times at Festival of Speed. I love vintage cars. We have a silver 1969 Mercedes 280SL – the same age as me. ONE OF MY MAIN CAREER HIGHLIGHTS was working with Kenneth MacMillan at the Royal Ballet. When I was 20, he made me Principal, straight after I came off stage on the opening night [of
The Prince of the Pagodas]. It was a huge turning point in in my life, having the opportunity to work with such a genius. I REHEARSED for the closing ceremony of the Olympics at 3am – the only time the stadium wasn’t being used. I was retired so there was a particular kind of pressure, committing to it a year in advance and making sure I was ready. But it was very exciting, representing all the athletes and putting out the flame. HOWEVER PREPARED you think you are, you’re never truly ready for retirement. I hadn’t appreciated that it was leaving the people and friendships that would affect me the most. AS PRESIDENT of the Royal Academy of Dance, I represent British dance. RAD, which is 100 this year, has many arms, including projects like Silver Swans, aimed at encouraging over-55s to dance. Dance has been part of our psyche from the earliest times but it’s been deleted from our culture.
STRICTLY CHANGED THE IMAGE OF DANCE and made people realise it could be for everyone. For me, it was a very different kind of fame, and it came as a shock. I could be anywhere and people would want to talk about the show or discuss a score I’d given.
I GET BORED BY EXERCISE very quickly, which is why I love dance. I do my DDMixx [Bussell’s diverse dance fitness DVDs], which I love. I'll go anywhere where there’s a dancefloor, socially. Charles [The Duke of Richmond] should build one at Goodwood! MY ADVICE TO MY 18-YEAR-OLD SELF? Try as many things as you can. Don’t be afraid of failing – mistakes are the way to move forward and to learn. Take the leap!
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ILLUSTRATION BY ELIZABETH MOCH
WE’RE MISSING A TOOL not using dance more with kids, to help them find a balance in their lives. Every day is spent in front of a screen and that’s so bad for their physical and mental health. Dance should just be part of physical education. The difference it makes is instant – but you’ve got to get in young.
