ボリショイ・バレエ団ダンサー、自宅で必死に技術維持　外出制限下のロシア

【モスクワＡＦＰ＝時事】ロシアの伝説的なボリショイ・バレエ団のダンサー、マルガリータ・シュライナーさん（26）とイゴーリ・ツビルコさん（30）のカップルの寝室には、中央にバレエ用のリノリウムとバーが置かれている。（写真はロックダウン中のロシア・モスクワの自宅で、トレーニングを続けるボリショイ・バレエ団のソリスト、イゴーリ・ツビルコさんとマルガリータ・シュライナーさん）
　新型コロナウイルスによる都市封鎖（ロックダウン）が始まって以来、ソリストである２人は自宅でダンス技術を維持するために全力を尽くしてきた。
　ツビルコさんとシュライナーさんの体は相変わらず引き締まってみえる。
　「イワン雷帝」などで主役を演じてきたボリショイのリーディング・ソリストであるツビルコさんは、「太ったとは思わない。それが一番大事だ」と語る。
　一方、ファースト・ソリストとして「コッペリア」や「カルメン組曲」で大役を演じてきたシュライナーさんは、テニスボールで足をマッサージした後、開脚トレーニングを始めた。
　一緒になって１年以上たつ２人は、バレエ団が所有するワンルームのアパートに住んでいる。同じブロックには他にも数人のダンサーが居住している。
　ロックダウン開始から１か月以上が経過した５月初旬、ボリショイ・バレエ団は初めてオンラインクラスを開催した。授業はビデオ通話サービス「ズーム」で行われており、講師は自分の寝室でピアノの伴奏に合わせてステップを踏んでいる。
　ロックダウンが始まると「ボリショイは、体調を整えて、自主隔離の中でバレエをする方法を見つけなさい、というとても重要で価値のあるアドバイスをしてくれた」とツビルコさんはいう。「それで私たちは、リノリウムやバーを探した」
　通常、ダンサーは自宅でトレーニングをしないため、そのような設備を持っていないという。新しい備品を取りに行くことができないため、バレエシューズも「すり減っている」とツビルコさんは語った。
　ダンサーたちはそれぞれ自分なりにロックダウン中の日課を作り、トレーニング用の器具を工夫しなければならなかった。
　「９月前に仕事を再開する人はいないだろう。何かが再開するとも思えないので、長期休暇に備えて気を引き締めている」とツビルコさん。
　元の状態に戻るのは簡単ではないだろうと、ダンサーたちは認めている。シュライナーさんは体力的にも「出演者にとっては厳しい復帰期間が予想される」と語った。一方の観客にも変化がみられるようになるとツビルコさんは予想する。「みんなマスクや手袋を着用し、必ず用心するようになるだろう」【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】
〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2020/05/07-12:08）

In the middle of their bedroom, Bolshoi ballet dancers Margarita Shrainer and Igor Tsvirko have placed a linoleum mat and a barre.
Since the start of the lockdown, the couple, both soloists in the legendary troupe, have largely used their own initiative to keep up their dance skills at home.
The Bolshoi held its first online classes only this week, more than a month after lockdown began.
Yet Tsvirko and Shrainer still look toned and Tsvirko pulls at his waistband.
I don't think I've got fat, that's the main thing, says the 30-year-old dancer, a leading soloist at the Bolshoi who has performed lead roles in Ivan the Terrible and Nureyev.
Shrainer, a first soloist who has performed major roles in Coppelia and Carmen Suite, massages her leg with a tennis ball and moves into the splits.
Together for more than a year, they are living in a studio flat owned by the theatre.
The same block is home to several other dancers and it was outside this building that the notorious acid attack on then-artistic director Sergei Filin took place in 2013.
Their Zoom class is led by a teacher doing steps in his bedroom to a piano accompaniment.
There are leaps and energetic dance routines. At the end, Shrainer sits with her legs stretched out in front of her.
We got some cardio, the 26-year-old says.
Afterwards they goof around, Tsvirko performing lifts with Shrainer.
As for dancing as a duo, yes we probably are lucky that we can keep up this form, Shrainer says.
The dancers had to find their own ways to create a lockdown routine and find equipment.
- 'Only stronger' -
As lockdown began, the Bolshoi gave very important and worthwhile advice: keep yourself fit and find a way to do ballet in self-isolation, says Tsvirko.
That's what we performers are doing: finding linoleum, barres.
Normally dancers do not train at home so do not have such equipment, Tsvirko says.
As they spoke, the theatre brought round rolls of black dance linoleum, a special type with a strong grip.
Even their ballet shoes are wearing out as they cannot collect new supplies, Tsvirko says.
The theatre's general director Vladimir Urin told Kommersant daily in early April that it was unfeasible to hold online classes for the 250-strong troupe.
Tsvirko suggests the management did not initially see how online video conferences could be used.
I think it's primarily due to the fact that some people weren't familiar with technical innovations that exist now.
General director Urin has said his good scenario is for the theatre to reopen for the new season in September and Tsvirko says he anticipates such a timeframe.
I doubt anyone will start working before September or anything will open so I've steeled myself for such long holidays.
Meanwhile both are developing hobbies.
Tsvirko is learning to play the guitar while Shrainer has got into cooking, pilates and learning English.
She says she misses the bustle of the theatre: There's not the usual pace, rhythm, constant rehearsals, meeting colleagues, sitting in the cafeteria.
Tsvirko says he misses the anticipation ahead of going on stage.
That atmosphere when you come in and warm up and you talk to your favourite wardrobe masters, your makeup artists -- that process of going in, the slight butterflies, that's probably what I miss most.
Going back will not be easy, they acknowledge.
After such a long time of strict precautionary measures, how will men even shake hands? I think everyone will be keeping their distance a bit, predicts Shrainer.
Physically there will also be a tough comeback period for the performers, of regaining strength, she says.
Theatre-goers will be changed too, says Tsvirko. Audiences will definitely observe precautions: probably they'll sit in masks and gloves.
Beyond the virus, the economic realities have changed, he adds.
Russia for sure is also in an economic crisis, like the whole world basically, so the question is the cost of tickets.
Urin told Kommersant that he fears opening later than September could mean financial disaster due to planned premieres.
But the dancers are ultimately optimistic the revered troupe will return with renewed energy.
I hope people won't get weaker over this time but only stronger, says Tsvirko.