Keeping clean and , and the fit..........

Watching a tv programme about the current Chinese schooling system, I was impressed by the emphasis given to keeping the body in good, healthy, working shape, and their environment clean. A friend, who hails from China, had always regailed me with his reminiscenses of physical exercises at the start of the school day, on the courtyard in front of the raised national flag. I'd always thought this was a practise which was no longer undertaken, but it is still the most important part of their education. Students also clean all the school facilities, including the toilets (!) from their first day at school.... Can you imagine the outrage of parents if that system were introduced here - apart from putting professional cleaners out of work it would be considered unhygienic. Apparently it encourages pupils to respect their surroundings because they know if they make a mess - their colleagues, or they, will have to clean it up - as you know, I think a good cleaner is one of the most useful and valuable members of the community, enough said ! As a company manager I was often obliged to suggest that a member of the company "take a bath, or shower" in consideration of their colleagues. One very famous actress was so smelly, she lost work because no one wanted to dress her! She was would wash once a week, then pile the make-up on her face each day, without removing what was already there - it was like a thick pancake by the end of the week, and literally cracked - she was short sighted and couldn't see it. Her eyelashes were so gummed up with mascara it was probably that which impaired her sight.!! It is impossible to restrict perspiration, especially in any highly charged rehearsal or performance, and unhealthy to do so, but it is usually easy enough to keep body and clothes clean without too much effort. I remember a very talented young man producer who was not selected for several good jobs. When I asked one of the management why they hadn't hired him, I was assured that no one would be able to stomach his body odour!! Once I had delicately and discreetly suggestd he start on a personal hygiene regime, he began what has been a very successful international career. Mercifully, since the removal of those diseased teeth from my mouth, I can look the world in the face without blasting them with foul air (unless I've been indulging in garlic laced fooood -oooh!). So, there you go..... What has all this to do with breathing ? Well, if you come across a "niffy" colleague, you'll probably restrict your inspiration as much as possible until you are out of sniffing range... That was one of the most subtle actions in Mats Eks' "Orphee" in Stockholm recently - in the Hades scene Orphee took out his handkerchief - and one automatically imagined the stench - what a powerful sensation imagination is ..... Mats and Ana are about to premiere their double bill at the Palais Garnier in Paris - good luck you to both. Having seen rehearsals I'm sure they will enjoy yet another major triumph ! 'bye, 'bye - k..p b.......g....and sweet smelling ...!