I feel very privileged to be here today, both as a long time friend and admirer, and as a representative of the Royal Ballet’s Education Department, to talk about a remarkable person.
For almost 22 years I have been leading Monday Moves, a Royal Ballet dance project for visually impaired adults, which began in April 1988. In July 2009 we had an open evening in the DeValois studio at the Royal Opera House. I showed some video footage of this to a fellow dancer who said in the middle of it, “Who is that fabulous man? He has such presence!” This was Ted O’Dwyer. At the end of our evening he spoke to all present saying “This project has been running for 21 years…I joined about six months after it started so I’m knackered after twenty and a half years!”
Ted was perhaps the most unlikely of people to take to the physical and creative demands of a dance project. He was quite stiff, a bit body bound, and had limited movement ideas. However, the person who introduced him said “Tedley I think you will enjoy this.” When asked what he did in his day life he said “Oh I work for a bank.” “Oh what do you do?” “I’m on the Board.” Ted had already tricked us! The switchboard was his day life; the rest of the time the world was Ted’s oyster.
When I lead training workshops on what dance might mean for people I use the idea of dance as a playground. And Ted just wanted to play, to have fun. He knew how to send me up, he knew how to make wry comments which would have me and the rest of the class burst into laughter. For him a creative reference point might be from the Goon show or Monty Python. Something irreverent!! Ted would never have wanted to be a Prince, classical ballet per se did not interest him. But no matter what his role, as my friend observed, he had great presence.
He was also excellent as an ambassador for the project. He invited others to take part and went out of his way to assure new comers that it took time to find one’s feet. He loved to partner young dancers and students who were doing placements with me, especially if they were female.
Only once in 22 years of teaching have I ever had an accident in my class. I can still remember Ted travelling from one corner and a fabulous Uruguyan woman Anair, who adored Ted, coming from the other. They were supposed to meet in the middle. Instead they clashed, banged, walloped into each other. I have never seen so much blood on the dance floor. Ted thought it tremendous fun.
Ted always tried to break the rules within the rules, so he led his partners astray. He pushed the boundaries, and perhaps rarely did he do what he was told. I know I was the teacher, the governor, but he was the father of the house.
We had our pre Christmas get together after the class on Monday 14 December. We had hoped all the previous term that Ted might drop in on us saying as he often did “Evening my children.” Instead we were catching up on stories about his hospital adventures and who had the latest news. Our dance piece in July had been called Shock Waves. News of Ted’s death sent shock waves through us all.
We had had a previous period of Ted’s absence from us, but then he was back. As one member said of him. He was unstoppable. Another said to me that he had such inspiring energy especially as someone who was not well. He never complained. He was life affirming.
He was also very wise! On several occasions when problems arose which I felt impacted or might impact on the group I turned to Ted as a confessional box. I felt heard by him, understood, and we found solutions. And because he was so fearless he thought nothing of challenging powers that be.
I can imagine Ted’s reaction to the fact that several of the class members appeared last Tuesday 2nd February, on Channel 4’s, How To Look Good Naked. I hasten to add we were not naked, but somehow I have the feeling that had we been asked Ted would have been one of the first to cast off his clothes and lark around. He liked to amused about it all. I can just imagine his light hearted banter.
On the 14th July we will be having an open evening in the Clore Studio at the Royal Opera House. This will be dedicated to Ted. .
Ted will be missed, he will always be remembered.
(As read at Ted O'Dwyer's memorial service, 9th February 2010.)
Find out more about Monday Moves, at the Royal Opera House
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