Fiona Alderman: Prix de Lausanne

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Fiona Alderman: Prix de Lausanne

Rama, CC BY-SA 2.0 FR , via Wikimedia Commons

With the wind and rain battering outside and huge storms in this part of France (the Dordogne), I was glad to stay in and watch a week of dance. Filmed at Le Palais Beaulieu in Lausanne, Switzerland, the Prix, as it is fondly called dates back to 1973. An annual International competition for young dancers aged 15 to 18 years old, it is a huge chance for them to gain a scholarship to train in prestigious schools throughout the world.

It was first founded by dance enthusiasts, husband and wife named Braunschweig, who felt there was very little support for young dancers in small schools to acquire a professional level. They contacted stars of the ballet and contemporary world, Rosella Hightower and Maurice Bejart, who would put their immense knowledge and craft to create this.

The week long competition consists of daily classes in both classical and contemporary taught by world class teachers and choreographers. They are also given special coaching in the variations they will perform later in the week. Intense. Their commitment shone through from Day 1. The judges, themselves dancers or Directors of companies would quickly spot who would become finalists.

Out of nearly 100 candidates, 21 lucky young dancers arrived at the Final. All very talented and with incredible technical facility, the winner was an American young man, just 18 but with an assurance that was eye catching. His name is William Gyves and with this award and scholarship he is on his way to a brilliant career.

The Magic Roundabout

The Magic Roudabout https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Magic_Roundabout-one-sheet.jpg

I remember watching this children’s programme on television when I was little! Florence, Zebedee. Brian, Dougal, Ermintrude and the wacky rabbit Dylan .I adored it. Never would I have thought many years later I would be talking about it in a French Cafe.

I listened to my French friends of around my age talking about what they watched on black and white tv as children. They called it Le Manege Enchante which I said was the Magic Roundabout in English.

They told me that the French version by Serge Danot in 1964 was an animated film but with different scripts and slightly different characters and all played by different actors.

By the early 60’s it was proposed to the BBC, who rejected it at first deeming it too difficult to dub into English. However success was at hand with animator Ivor Wood and his French born wife to realize The Magic Roundabout. Scripts were written by Scotsman, Eric Thompson, who also did all the voices.

Set in The Magic Garden, with Mr Rusty the operator of the roundabout and Zebedee the Jack in the box to start another tale and weave some mystery and magic.

What a joy it was.Then the famous words, known to all parents was when he told Florence, the little girl, “It’s time for bed “

I told my friends at the Cafe that my Barry knew the writer and his family who were once neighbours in Glasgow.He even claimed he sat Emma Thompson on his knee ! She would grow up to be a very famous actress herself.

The power of the Internet too, 65 years later. We can watch it in colour now. I did today and it made me smile . (The Magic Roundabout on YouTube)

Fifi’s stories from rural France

February 2026