Backstage in London's Covent Garden, the 46 young dancers were scared stiff. For one thing, in rehearsals they had found the stage floor rather rough. Said one dancer: "I've never had to darn my toe shoes so much." And the British balletomanes they were to face for the first time were rumored to be even rougher. Wailed 20-year-old Dancer Melissa Hayden: "Gee, my stomach—I'm in real pain. I don't know how I can use my legs. I just want to hunch up and cry."
After opening night last week, they felt all right. British...
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