SHANNON GOES TO HOSPITAL – dollstories.co.uk

The newest recruits to Bambole Dance Company Shannon and Belinda are very excited and are itching to get onstage. Prior to the technical run of their duet “The Birdcage”, they can’t help getting in the way. Tomasz Don, BDC’s lighting designer chats with them and says he’ll have a coffee whilst they warm up. He’ll soon be ready to get them to talk them through what they want for lighting and any sound cues.

Bambole Dance Company is a contemporary dance company based in Mossy Well. They hold open classes that are well attended at their rehearsal base. When Tony Chaumier and Tina Giuffre saw a performance by two ballerinas of a new work “The Birdcage” they were so impressed they invited them to join the company. And they wanted the ballet to include in their new programme.

The thinking is that to build audiences, the company needs to appeal to a range of interests – a ballet piece would be a great addition to the repertoire. The ballerinas are sisters Shannon Lapin and Belinda Neumann. They performed their own work (jointly choreographed and their only work to date) at a choreographic workshop. The workshops are a regular feature at Sons of Jack Lane Community Centre in Lowgate. Coincidentally, Tina and Tony often teach open classes at the Centre.

They are taken into the company on condition that they join in some of the contemporary classes. It’s hoped that they will then start to perform alongside the contemporary dancers. Both of the ballerinas did a lot of their training with Patrizia Solaio.

You can find out more information about Bambole Dance Company on their website.

Bambole Dance Company in the tour van on their way to give a performance. It can be a tight squeeze getting the company into the tour van. 2 vans carry the dancers and the technical crew.

Company manager/ administrator Julien Eaglet sees the company setting off to Sons of Jack Lane Community Centre in Lowgate.

Shannon asks Belinda to style her hair for her. It is so long now and difficult for her to do it herself.

Bambole Dance Company wardrobe mistress Constance Lepinato comes into the dressing room to sort out Shannon’s costume

Constance is moderately pleased with Shannon’s costume

The girls are in costume now and Belinda does a few stretches. In a few minutes it will be time to go onstage.

Belinda says “Don’t forget the changes we made to the choreography. We’ve got to get it right!”

They are both excited and a bit nervous.

Tina comes into the sisters’ dressing room with the birdcage. And a reminder that they need to give it to the technician Tomasz Don

Tina decides to take the birdcage to the technician for them. She wants them to concentrate entirely on their performance.

A last look in the mirror before they go onstage.

Shannon & Belinda’s performance with Bambole Dance Company. They perform their work, “The Birdcage”

Shannon & Belinda perform their own work “The Birdcage”. They were so pleased when Bambole Dance Company included their piece on the publicity posters.

Sons of Jack Lane Community Centre is a really excellent venue for contemporary dance.

The dancers are really happy with how “The Birdcage” went in performance. But Shannon says that she has a sore neck and she is worried.

Tony asks Shannon how she’s feeling now. He reassures her that they have Shannon says that the pain has got quite a lot worse.

called the hospital and the mobile care ambulance is on its way.

The paramedic tells Shannon and the dancers that she if she can manage to walk to the ambulance Audrey will give her a pain killing injection, x-ray her and if necessary fit her with a neck brace collar. Then she will take her to hospital for any necessary checks and full treatment.

Audrey the paramedic shows Shannon her X-rays

Shannon is going to need to go to hospital for a more detailed examination

The paramedic gives Shannon a pain killing muscle relaxant injection.

Belinda waits patiently whilst Audrey fits a neck collar on to protect Shannon’s neck during the ambulance journey to hospital.

On the way to Mossy Well Hospital for Dolz

After her initial treatment in the ambulance Shannon is taken to Mossy Well General Hospital for Dolz
Audrey says that if Shannon is lucky she will be operated on by Dr Elinor Lind – the famous Swedish surgeon. Dr Lind has operated on many dancers.

Shannon asks Belinda to let her see the neck bandage as she awaits treatment.

THE OPERATION

Today Shannon is going to have an operation to mend her neck injury

Dr Lind gives Shannon a pre op injection. She asks Shannon to count backwards from 10 – she only gets to 6 & is unconscious.

VISITORS

After the Operation Shannon has visitors – Bambole Dance Company arrive to see how she is getting on.

Carolina tells Shannon that Tina sends her love but is unable to visit today as she has an urgent meeting with Julien about the application for funding. They also need to sort out the tour dates. Everyone wants Shannon to be able to recover fully before joining class and rehearsals. Shannon is so cheered by the company’s visit and they make a tremendous fuss of her.

Belinda gives Shannon a hug and says she’ll make her more comfortable.

The company (Carolina, David, Belinda & Tony) smile and tell Shannon it won’t be long before she is dancing again.

Belinda comes to the hospital to help Shannon. She’s relieved to find her in good spirits and her neck looks surprisingly good now.

After the patient has been discharged the doctor is exhausted. She climbs into the bed as it’s a private room – the cleaners won’t be on duty until the morning. So, Dr Lind plans on sleeping. She’s very tired now.

©  2023  A Christine Rapley Doll Story