Ask Drew McOnie
Olivier Award-winning choreographer and Old Vic Associate Artist Drew McOnie will be appearing on the Shaping the Stage Voices Off.
In 2018 he took over our Twitter channel live from Chicago in the midst of preparations for King Kong The Musical to answer your questions on International Dance Day.
Hey tweethearts- this is @DrewMcOnie coming at you from Chicago- ready to take on your questions to celebrate #InternationalDanceDay2018 – I’ll try to keep out of trouble on this Twitter Take over- send your questions in using the #AskDrewMcOnie #TheOldVicRocks
— The Old Vic (@oldvictheatre) April 29, 2018
I guess I was making up dances way before I became aware of what It was I was doing. It was the brilliant choreographer Robert North, with whom I worked as a child in ‘The Snowman’ that made me realise I could grow up like him to make up dances as Job. I was hooked! https://t.co/PqV4TMs7Dn
— The Old Vic (@oldvictheatre) April 29, 2018
Love this one- I don’t- it’s all the same job. It’s about who’s vision you are following. Im still a story teller in both positions and I love collaborating. Im still very much learning (in both positions) but especially as a director so working with other directors is a gift! https://t.co/Kn1sA0Vfqi
— The Old Vic (@oldvictheatre) April 29, 2018
There actually isn’t- my Brain is constantly making Dance up no matter what the music is so it would be hard to separate the two anyway. #CantSwitchOff https://t.co/KJ4miUqIk4
— The Old Vic (@oldvictheatre) April 29, 2018
Well As you could guess I have a few- @AlvinAiley’s #Revelations– @HofeshShechter’s #politicalMother @SirMattBourne’s #PlayWithoutWords– #BobFosse’s Frug in The Sweet Charity Movie and of course @ABlankenbuehler’s @HamiltonWestEnd #idols https://t.co/KKeBLkA7Xy
— The Old Vic (@oldvictheatre) April 29, 2018
Afraid not as yet but still one of my all time favourite company’s to work with! ⚓️❤️ https://t.co/hr9FIYH5Ya
— The Old Vic (@oldvictheatre) April 29, 2018
#JesusChristSuperstar is without doubt one of the shows I am most proud of. We opened it here @LyricOpera in Chicago last night and the audience went mad for it. The movement was a whole new vocabulary for me and came from the idea of mob mentality and faith. https://t.co/2yEX49cg7h
— The Old Vic (@oldvictheatre) April 29, 2018
As the old vic’s Twitter spokes person I can now officially say… no I’m joking- but let’s leave this comment here for the gods at the old vic to do with as they wish- I love that show so much and won’t rest till it’s back on stage somewhere! And when it is you’ll know about it! https://t.co/mXIU0MKXMC
— The Old Vic (@oldvictheatre) April 29, 2018
I’m lucky to say I’ve had a few highlights- one of the strongest was the audience reaction to Jekyll and Hyde- I still remember that rush at the end of the show and will probably spend the rest of my career trying to recreate that. https://t.co/AK6y0Ah7hq
— The Old Vic (@oldvictheatre) April 29, 2018
I was born a choreographer and every step in my performance career was leading to where I am now so what I do feels insanely natural and I never feel the need to get up there. I dance all day. Dancers are the most special creatures and I love nothing more than setting them free. https://t.co/hRQOSY4SUM
— The Old Vic (@oldvictheatre) April 29, 2018
There are some dancers that are getting recognised (ballroom and Latin dancers on tv) but theatre dancers-no- I set up my company to celebrate those dancers and I’m working hard to give them a platform to be recognised- early days ofcourse but it all has to start somewhere. ✨ https://t.co/pDxP9tyqmU
— The Old Vic (@oldvictheatre) April 29, 2018
Hmmmm- hard one. In truth I’d love to create my own dance role in a new story. Something In which couldn’t be compared to someone that came before. https://t.co/eQF1ZHHMFI
— The Old Vic (@oldvictheatre) April 29, 2018
Danced in is an easy one- @SirMattBourne’s #TheCarMan hands down the best feeling I’ve had on stage- choreographed is harder as I fall in love with each project as i make it! @strictlystage @InTheHeightsLDN #BugsyMalone @McOnieCompany– all massive highlights! https://t.co/M306ObnpPs
— The Old Vic (@oldvictheatre) April 29, 2018
I’d love to do a modern Singing In the Rain movie- @DCollinsWright would have to be Cosmo of course! ❤️ https://t.co/TWwjy6nOjR
— The Old Vic (@oldvictheatre) April 29, 2018
Oh I don’t hold back! No pressure is felt at all! I can get carried away and start doing lifts with terrified family members so always think twice before sending a wedding invite my way! https://t.co/Z7r3QcB3D7
— The Old Vic (@oldvictheatre) April 29, 2018
Ps- im bruised from all the pinching- I’ve moved on to a gentle hammer to face… ☺️ https://t.co/pDxP9tyqmU
— The Old Vic (@oldvictheatre) April 29, 2018
Right that’s me done for now- thanks so much for all your brilliant questions! Why not celebrate #InternationalDanceDay by booking seats for #Sylvia @oldvictheatre because you KNOW the dance in that is going to be insane @ZooNationUK! @DrewMcOnie signing out- #AsYouWere
— The Old Vic (@oldvictheatre) April 29, 2018
