The Sleeping Beauty by Cork City Ballet: Icelandic twins savouring Cork experience

Erna Jónasdóttir and Hrefna Jónasdóttir, twins from Iceland, are in Cork for the first time to perform in Cork City Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty, which opened in the Opera House last night.

The girls play several different roles in the beloved fairytale story, directed by Cork’s Alan Foley, including group dances and a trio dance together with another ballerina.

Erna told The Echo: “Except for the main roles, it’s common to play lots of different parts as part of a corps de ballet — there’s four different costumes for this performance which is quite fun, when we are offstage we’re busy switching costumes and helping others to switch.”

This is their first time in Ireland, said Erna, adding: “It’s way warmer than I expected, compared to Iceland, I brought so many jumpers and coats but it’s been quite nice!

“I usually live in England so I’m used to the greyish weather, but the air is way nicer in Cork — crisper, more like Iceland without being too cold.”

Hrefna explained that they arrived in Cork two weeks ago and have had just one full day off. “We are staying in Kinsale, so we had a walk around there.

“It was lovely being by the sea and I got such good fish and chips, but apart from that we’ve been in rehearsal 10-6 every day,” she said.

Stunning

They rehearsed in the Firkin Crane, and headed to the Opera House on Wednesday evening for the first time. Hrefna said: “It looks stunning — I’ve seen pictures, and friends have worked there.

“Everyone in Cork City Ballet is so lovely, the staff are very warm and welcoming, it’s a really good atmosphere and every day has been so positive. Putting up a ballet in two weeks is really, really difficult — but they make it so easy!” she said.

“I actually haven’t been on stage performing since last January, and you miss it quite a lot,” 

Erna said, while Hrefna added that though she had done solos from Sleeping Beauty before, it was their first time doing a full-length performance of it.

Erna explained that she and Hrefna don’t always perform in the same shows, but it does happen often. “We don’t try to but we often apply for the same things, and when people hear we are twins they like to use that.

“Side to side, we’re the exact same height so there is a look of unison, so we often end up doing the same jobs, but if we are both auditioning for something and there is only one contract, then only one of us will go for it.”

Mother

Their mother is coming from Iceland to visit them, and it will be her first time in Ireland too. 

After the performance, both girls will be going to the Maldives for more ballet work over the winter months.

Hrefna said: “it’s really nice to work together — it’s like a built-in best friend that you can share life with. We don’t feel that we have to do everything together but when an opportunity like this arises that both of us can do it’s great — we can help each other out with corrections.”

The Sleeping Beauty runs at Cork Opera House until tomorrow, with shows at 8pm and a matinee tomorrow at 2.30pm.

Tickets cost €27-€45 and can be booked at https://www.corkoperahouse.ie or by calling 021 4270022.