In Paris, social distancing rules have been in place since March. French people are forbidden to spend more than an hour outside or travelling more than one kilometre from their home. If they do either of these they will be fined €135.
Dansportalen had the opportunity to ask Paul Marque, First Soloist at the Opéra Garnier, a few questions about how he manages under these social distancing rules.
Paul Marque in a graceful jump in front of the Garnier Opera. Photo Julien Benhamou
Paul Marque, I imagine that your days are completely different from before quarantine. How, as a dancer, do you deal with this isolation?
Not that bad, I can’t complain. I’m safe in my Paris apartment, my family and I are all doing fine. Just waiting for this pandemic to end.
The conditions are not the best to stay fit, keep dancing and training – my apartment is not as big as a dance studio. I work on my own and without the other dancers but I don’t have rehearsals anymore…
Here in Sweden, professional dancers work online using Zoom and other ways to take classes. I assume that you do the same?
Yes, we have online dance classes every day with the company’s teachers. It enables us to stay in contact with the Opera and keep on training.
It’s like a daily meeting with the teachers and the other dancers, which brings a kind of structure or working space that can be hard to find on our own.
Paul Marque stretching after the morning class at home. Photo private
Whitch are the disadvantages of these online classes?
The main disadvantage is the fact that we are not in a dance studio which limits many things. My apartment is not as big as a dance studio so I can’t do an entire class and train myself correctly. I try my best but it’s difficult.
On the other hand, physical contact is so important in our art that it doesn’t feel the same to work in front of a screen as in front of the teacher. And even if it’s good to have these dance classes, it’s still not enough to maintain a good shape.
I’m used to dancing between 6 to 10 hours a day, so an hour and half isn’t sufficient. I think that we will have to be careful when we come back.
Did you discover anything different with this new work rhythm?
I haven’t discovered much but I have realised that dance is my life, and I just can’t live without it. Now when I can’t dance as usual, I’m just in need. It’s not a surprise, but it’s the first time that I haven’t danced for so long.
Paul Marque during his daily training in his Parisian apartment. Photo private
Besides your colleagues, I assume you’re missing the audience? How do you deal with that?
Yes I miss the audience so much, and simply being on stage. I’m addicted to that feeling and the adrenaline that follows it. I’ve never found that strong sensation outside of dance. It’s like a drug so it’s hard to live without but the best is yet to come.
What about the program for this spring at the Opera and your performances? Are they cancelled or moved to the autumn season?
I don’t know exactly what will happen. The dance committee is thinking about many possibilities for the actual dates, but it requires time and arrangement.
It’s hard to predict when you don’t know what will happen. We don’t have an end date from the government yet and without that, it’s impossible to know how to prepare the next season.
Some productions and tours will be postponed, and some cancelled, but I don’t know any more than that.
Paul Marque lining up with the Eiffel Tower during a jump. Photo Julien Benhamou
After the quarantine or the end of the pandemic–because it will end–what is the first thing you will do?
So many things aah! Going outside my apartment, meeting my friends, my family, and going to dance, heading to Garnier and my dressing room, to the studios, the dancers and the stage.
Thérèse Eng
Gothenburg-Paris
Main photo: Paul Marque, First Soloist at the Paris Opera in a split jump outside The Louvre, at a rare moment with no visitors at this very famous spot in Paris. Photo Julien Benhamou
