Laurretta Summerscales answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A
When did you start dancing?
I started dancing at the age of 3 at my mothers dancing school
Why did you start dancing?
My mother wanted to give me as many opportunities in life to see what passions I grew for myself, and also what I was talented at. Dance was just one of many, but obviously it was also so we could have more time together.
Which dancer inspired you most as a child?
All the old MGM musical films with Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire; but in ballet, Svetlana Zakharova and Darcey Bussell.
Which dancer do you most admire?
I admire all dancers, every single person has something special to give no matter what ranking they are, but working with Irek Mukhamedov was wonderful, some people just have a light inside which shines no matter what they do. Such an amazing person.
What’s your favourite role?
I don’t have one…I enjoy all of them. They all have something different to give.
What role have you never played but would like to?
Tatiana in Onegin and The chosen one in Kenneth MacMillan‘s Rite of Spring.
What’s your favourite ballet to watch?
Again I don’t have one. Love too many to pick.
Who is your favourite choreographer?
I love MacMillan because he is so versatile but I never got to work with him or learn from other generations about what he wanted. So a choreographer that I loved working with was Wayne McGregor and his team, it was a really wonderful experience, and I learnt so much, which is the best part of life.
Who is your favourite writer?
Jane Austen.
Who is your favourite theatre or cinema director?
Too many to choose from.
Who is your favourite actor?
Pierce Brosnan and Angelina Jolie.
Who is your favourite singer?
Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston.
What is your favourite book?
A Town Like Alice.
What is your favourite film?
Rush Hour and 007.
Which is your favourite city?
Windsor, in England.
What do you like most about yourself?
I have a lot of energy.
What do you dislike about yourself?
My feet and ankles.
What was your proudest moment?
I don’t have one proud moment, I have lots of happy memories.
When and where were you happiest?
My childhood with my family, marrying my husband, and many career highlights.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
All my family.
What is your greatest fear?
Making a bad choice.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
My feet and ankles – 2 things, sorry!
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Becoming a Principal Dancer from not going to any vocational school until I was 16-18.
What is your most treasured possession?
Old pictures, memories and my dogs.
What is your greatest extravagance?
My home.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
This contouring and eyebrow make up fashion. It’s like a fake mask… If you want to put on makeup, that is fine, but still be who you are, being the same is boring.
On what occasion do you lie?
I try never to lie, I want to be an honest person but also care about people’s feelings. How you deliver something is very important I believe, and every person is different.
If you hadn’t been a dancer what would you have liked to be?
A gardener, artist or a dog walker/sitter.
What is your most marked characteristic?
My determination.
What quality do you most value in a friend?
Honesty.
What quality do you most value in a colleague?
Respect for each other.
Which historical figure do you most admire?
Stephen Hawking and Audrey Hepburn.
Which living person do you most admire?
The Queen and my Mum.
What do you most dislike?
Bullies and manipulators.
What talent would you most like to have?
To be able to sing like Jessie J.
What’s your idea of perfect happiness?
A beautiful day in the country, full of flowers around, having a picnic with all the family and the doggies too.
How would you like to die?
In my bed with all my loved ones beside me.
What is your motto?
JUST KEEP SWIMMING!
Graham Spicer, aka ‘Gramilano’, is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the Danza in Italia column for Dancing Times magazine. Graham was the historical advisor on Codice Carla, the 2023 documentary on Italian ballerina Carla Fracci.
Graham also works as a dance photographer, and his photos have appeared in many books, theatre programmes, and magazines, including Dancing Times, Dance Spirit and Ballet2000, as well as all the major Italian newspapers.
He is a member of the Dance Section of The Critics’ Circle.
