It’s the morning of the West End press night of a new Grease production Dame Arlene Phillips has choreographed, and she can feel a burning sensation down the back of one of her legs. But the unstoppable 78-year-old isn’t nursing a dance injury – she’s recovering from a frightening first brush with Covid that floored her for nine days earlier this month.
“I was very, very sick, I was very unwell,” says Arlene. “I’m not someone who gets ill but I was sick for nine days and I’m finding it difficult trying to get into shape again. It’s like everything has left – all my sense of being and strength have floated away from me, but the oddest things remain, including the back of one of my legs, which feels as if it’s been burnt. It’s been a huge shock.”
Speaking to Arlene, you wouldn’t know it. The dancer has a work rate that would put most 20-somethings to shame. Alongside choreographing the West End’s Grease The Musical, she is directing The Cher Show, with Oti Mabuse choreographing. It’s hard to believe she’ll turn 80 next year – something she remains fearless about.
