The List
Guillaume Cote
Ten things the National Ballet principal dancer, who plays Trigorin in this month’s production of The Seagull, can’t live without By Amy Verner
1. My caffeine fix
My first real gift two years ago from my girlfriend [National Ballet principal dancer Heather Ogden] was a Breville espresso machine. It was really thoughtful because it saves me a million bucks. I usually have two espresso macchiatos in the morning and one in the afternoon when I get home.
2. My post-work relaxation
When I come home, I love to play my Takamine electric-acoustic guitar. I’ve been playing since I was seven. I take it everywhere, even to South Africa. But I bought a Fender to keep in Milan because I dance at La Scala for months at a time.
3. Québécois cheese
I go to Alex Farm at the St. Lawrence Market for Quebec cheeses, especially curds. I’m a cheese freak; Heather ribs me all the time. I eat so much of it, although I still consider it a dietary splurge.
4. My favourite chameleon
I first noticed Daniel Day-Lewis in Last of the Mohicans, and I’ve been a fan ever since. I like how he gets consumed by the role and lives it, as he did in Gangs of New York. He’s fully dedicated to his craft.
5. Hipster comfort food
Czehoski is one of my favourite places to hang out. I usually order
pierogies or poutine. I don’t cook that much, and when I go out, there’s nothing like comfort food.
6. Classical hand-me-downs
I was 11 when I started at the National Ballet School, and my father gave me his records, including albums of Rachmaninov and Bach. I’m one of those people who think that the sound quality on a record is superior to anything else.
7. Pre-performance footwear
My Mountain Equipment Co-op booties are a must for my warm-ups. Cold feet are a dancer’s
worst enemy.
8. Proactive pain relief
Right before a performance, all the dancers take Advil so that we’re not cringing onstage.
9. My stress-free exercise
I started gyrotonics—like Pilates
but dance-oriented—three years ago. I go to the studio of a former dancer named Crispin Redhead (Gyrotonic Toronto
by Crispin) three times a week. It’s very calming.
10. Audio-rehearsing
The Seagull has a lot of Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky. I carry
my iPod constantly, because
I have to listen to the pieces
a million times so the counting becomes second nature. With
my personal music—especially Metallica and Pearl Jam—
I never use shuffle. Albums are
conceived as a whole, so
I listen from beginning to end.
Photographs: Cote, boots, guitar and Advil by Ryan Szulc; Cheese from iStock Photo
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