Creating a solo debut - with Ms Chevious
Making her burlesque debut, Ms Chevious is bringing to life some iconic 1980s anthems that
will make you question who your work colleagues really are. With a smouldering eye and a
cheeky smile, Ms Chevious will leave you thinking just how boring last years office Christmas
party really was.
I hope you have been enjoying hearing from students in the Act Development Course about their creative process and what drives them to scratch that stage time itch!
This week, I caught up with Ms Chevious who has taken a slow and steady route to developing her solo debut.
“I’ve been coming to group classes now for just over 12 months, and each time we have a public performance I looked in awe at the students doing their solos. I listened to a podcast earlier this year that said ‘do one thing each year that scares you’. For me, this year, this is it. I thought ‘F*** it, I’m going to do it’, so here I am.
Ms Chevious’ alter ego started developing, “by a whole range of wonderful people in my life. It’s been a group effort which has been a lovely bonding experience and has really brought everyone’s creativity out.
On the surface, Ms Chevious is frustrated and constrained by the monotony of working life. But underneath that exterior, just under the surface, is a wild woman looking to be let out of the cage.”
Photo by Amy Brown Photographer
It’s really interesting to see how her stage persona has been developed, and how she has looked to other performers on stage for inspiration, “ I am always amazed by their confidence and attitude. I’m in my mid 40s now, and think I’m just going to give everything a go, maybe even twice just to be sure! “
The solo process is always exciting and challenging in equal parts. I think it’s a misconception that dancers have it easier in making a solo performance. Ms Chevious notes that she “spent 15 years of my life as an irish dancer, so it was all straight arms, serious faces and quick stompy feet. “
While you might have that dance and coordination experience, taking it to the stage is completely different! Ms Chevious agreed that the biggest challenge has been “to just loosen up and let my body, emotions and creativity flow”.”
Photo by Amy Brown Photographer
With every challenge comes an opportunity. And I’m always excited to hear what our new and emerging artists are excited about. I love Ms Chevious’ enthusiasm and that it’s all about that creative process, “…It could be great, it could all go very badly, but at the end of the day, its been so fantastic to create this that I don’t really care what happens, I’m just going to give it a go”
Photo by Amy Brown Photographer