Rex’s career end provokes an existential
crisis in the now 42-year-old dancer. His last season is punctuated
by sleepless nights and emotional turmoil. He also struggles
with personal demons he attributes to an unhappy childhood
marked by his mother’s mental illness and his parents’
acrimonious divorce. “I think that’s what compelled
me to be where I am,” he says. “ To find love,
to be on stage, to feel an audience caring for me.”
As one career ends, another begins. We watch the dancer take
singing lessons as a prelude to becoming an actor. And his
private life takes an adventurous turn as a distant admirer
begins romancing him with the help of a go-between at the
National Ballet.
Rex wants, above all, to make peace with his manic-depressive
mother, Sonja Harrington, whom he hasn’t seen for 17
years. She encouraged him to take up dance in the first place
but sadly, has never seen him perform. He hires a private
investigator who tracks her down in London, England and Rex
travels to meet her. The film crew is there to record their
long-awaited reunion.
Original Air Date - January 27, 2005
Links
Rex
Harrington: CBC News In Depth
Rex
Harrington to give final performance as principal dancer (National
Ballet of Canada)
(Note: CBC does not endorse the content of external
sites) |
