Dreas Reyneke

Dreas was born in South Africa. His passion for dance was sparked at an early age and he began classes whilst at school. Dreas took classes with Frank Staff who suggested that he should go to London to audition for Rambert. In this interview, Dreas talks about his years as a Rambert dancer from 1962 to 1972, recalling his very first meeting with Marie Rambert and classes with Angela Ellis. He also tells us about going with Rambert to Berlin during the Cold War and some of the roles he performed whilst in the classical company. Dreas was invited to remain as a dancer when Rambert reformed as a contemporary company and recalls the physical challenges of learning and developing a new contemporary style.

After two serious injuries, Dreas was forced to give up his performing career and went on to establish a successful career as a Pilates instructor. His studio is based in one of the old Rambert School buildings across from the old Mercury Theatre. He has been there for over forty years and specialises in working with dancers. Dreas also demonstrates on a dancer in his studio a technique for foot positions in petit allegro which was taught to Rambert dancers by Eileen Ward and allows the dancer to maintain control and develop strength and accuracy.

00:05:12 Frank Staff
00:10:29 Marie Rambert
00:12:50 Angela Ellis
00:21:41 Tour of Berlin
00:27:57 ‘Simple Symphony’ (Gore, 1944)
00:32:11 1966 Rambert reforms as a contemporary dance company
00:34:50 Contemporary technique
00:38:43 ‘Ziggurat’ (Tetley, 1967)
00:41:24 ‘Rag Dances’ (Tetley, 1971)
00:47:07 Pilates at The Place
00:51:46 Demonstration with Simon Rice on positioning of feet

Interview recorded on 23 October 2017 at his Pilates studio in London.
Interviewer: Claire Izzard; Filmmaker: Paul Izzard

The Rambert Voices oral history project is part of Rambert at 90, a project marking the company’s 90th anniversary, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.