Charnock dispelled any tension in the first minute of the workshop. In spite of his talent as an artist and his world-wide reputation, he has not one bit of a superiority complex. Charnock asked only that the workshop's participants "keep to themselves" any problems or questions until the end of the session. Other than that, the rule is that there are no rules, he said.
The music Charnock brought with him - everything from classical to pop to electronic - brought out the energy in the participants like a magic key. After the warm-up, he introduced a series of motions, which were far from simple, and stressed that "The more you think the less you can move".
The participants at the workshop included several well known names on Hungary's dance scene, among them Zoltán Grecsó, Anna Réti and Rita Góbi. Góbi conceded she was unfamiliar with Charnock's works, but thought she should take advantage of any chance to learn and to confirm that other people think alike.
At the end of the session, Charnock gave the participants homework, and he made a concession. Though he has taught for years, he is somehow nervous at the beginning of every workshop about what the participants will think of him. Charnock shared that having taught in countries all over Europe, he has found that while the Spanish are full of fire and passion, the Slovenians, Serbs, Croatians and, yes, the Hungarians, are a bit sad.
The workshop's participants were not the only ones pleased at the end of the day.
"I like to watch the body in movement in the atmosphere of the workshop much more than on the stage. Here people have far fewer inhibitions and the company is much more down to earth," Charnock said.
Author: Éva Kelemen / Photo: Dániel Kováts
