Welcome,
I'm pleased you've
stopped by. I'm Rodford Barrat, and this is my website. Not
a commercial one nor an organisation. But I am not alone here.
I've been joined by many friends and colleagues, some old
and some new. The site is not about me, but you can read my
profile on the Author page, if you want.
So, what is it about?:
The intention is
to champion and encourage athletic, physical performance by
older men - dancers or actors - in theatre, television or
film.
Athletic performance?
That means dancing your butt off. Or running around the stage
as you say your lines.
The website creed
is:
No
dancer or actor is too old to:
run,
jump or leap!
And
no man or woman is too old to:
begin;
continue; or come-back
...in
the performing arts.
The
website newsletter, Performing Warriors , is a meeting
place for professional performers of both sexes and all ages.
And a small group of non-performers too - we are not a ghetto!
If you'd like to read a recent issue, click here:
Performing
Warriors Newsletter
The
website originally focused mainly on men and still does to a
large extent. We are under represented in certain parts of the
performing arts; dance, being one. But we welcome women here,
and I'm glad to say the whiff of testosterone has not discouraged
many from jumping onto the Men Who Danced stage.
The site now contains the words of many former and current performers.
Some of us are old friends reunited; many of us newly acquainted.
With recollections of performing in everything from Hollywood
movies to classical ballet; from the razzmatazz of Las Vegas
shows to dancing in opera or playing Shakespeare - we hope a
small part of the back stage camaraderie has been rekindled
here, online.
We
embrace all forms of physical theatre. Not just dance.
And writing as someone who's had a career as both an actor and
dancer,I'm keen for more actors to join the list.
Aims
for the future:
We
would like to see more opportunities for older artistes to perform
in an athletic manner on stage or screen. We believe it is important,
whether you are young or old, to fight the negative image the
media often portray of the aging man or woman. Nobody wants
to play Romeo at 50! Nor Juliet at 65! But neither should we
all be confined to the token ancient in a cardigan who just
manages to shuffle his feet.
We do not all become untrained, overweight, under exercised
couch potatoes as we age.
It
is time to glorify and celebrate the older athletic
performer. We see too little of them in theatre, television
and films!
On
This Web Site:
When
we went 'live' in 2002 these words were written:
"...Choosing
to dance for a boy requires bravery and the attitude of a rebel,
in a way that kicking a football never does. Because of this,
this site is for guys. For a small group of professionals. All
with diverse techniques. Talented and gifted enough to be paid
to perform..."
As
written above, we have happily been joined by some talented
women since then. I hope you enjoy the site. And feedback is
always welcome, whether you are a professional performer or
not.
Thanks
for reading this far.
Rodford
|
