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Scroll down The Royal Opera House's upcoming Cinema Season will comprise an astonishing 13 productions, eight of which will be broadcast to screens across the globe. Audiences have the best seat in the house – sharing the joy of live performance, and the beauty of world class art, at cinemas in more than 50 countries around the world. Booking opens soon. Check the website of your local cinema to purchase tickets. https://www.roh.org.uk/about/cinema Winter's Tale in UK only

Jan 21 in the US. There was something in the Links last week

World Premiere announced for Asif Kapadia’s Creature, based on an original concept by Akram Khan English National Ballet is thrilled to announce the world premiere of Creature at this year’s BFI London Film Festival. Based on the original concept and choreography by Akram Khan, Creature is the latest film from Academy Award winning director Asif Kapadia, and will premiere at 3.30pm Saturday 15 October in NFT1 at BFI Southbank. Following BFI Distribution’s acquisition of the UK & Ireland theatrical rights to the film, Creature will then receive its cinema release from Friday 24 February 2023. Based on English National Ballet’s 2021 stage production, Creature is a groundbreaking collaboration between Asif Kapadia, Olivier Award winning choreographer Akram Khan and English National Ballet, produced by Uzma Hasan of Little House Productions. An intense, visceral and haunting film, Creature is a tragic tale of an outsider’s search for belonging, the insatiable desires of the powerful, and the enduring hope found in human connection and compassion. Inspired by Georg Büchner’s seminal play Woyzeck, this vivid cinematic experience sees Jeffrey Cirio, Erina Takahashi and Stina Quagebeur perform in the Principal roles. Tamara Rojo CBE, Artistic Director of English National Ballet, said; “At English National Ballet we aim to make ballet accessible to the widest possible audience, and so I am very proud to be partnering with the BFI on the release of Creature. Working with a fantastic creative team under the direction of Asif was a wonderful opportunity for the Company and we are incredibly excited that people across the country will have the opportunity to see this vital and important work.” Creature is Akram Khan’s third work for English National Ballet, following Dust and his reimagined version of Giselle. It returns to the stage this spring, at Sadler’s Wells, London from Thursday 23 March – Saturday 1 April 2023. Academy Award winning director Asif Kapadia is best known for his trilogy of films exploring the price of fame, Amy, Senna, and Diego Maradona. His debut fiction feature, The Warrior won the BAFTA for Outstanding British Film of the Year. He directed episodes of the Netflix series Mindhunter and the critically acclaimed music series 1971: The Year Music Changed Everything. He also co-directed and exec produced the mental health series The Me You Can’t See, starring Oprah, Prince Harry and Lady Gaga. In 2022 he will create a new four-part series about Camden’s musical history for Disney+. -ENDS- English National Ballet is grateful for the generous grant it has been awarded through the Government's Culture Recovery Fund, which allows it to continue to create, perform and serve its audiences. Notes to Editors English National Ballet is a National Portfolio Organisation supported by Arts Council England. Ballymore is Principal Building Partner of English National Ballet BFI London Film Festival is held in partnership with American Express. About English National Ballet English National Ballet has a long and distinguished history. Founded in 1950 as London Festival Ballet by the great English Dancers Alicia Markova and Anton Dolin, it has been at the forefront of ballet's growth and evolution ever since. English National Ballet brings world-class ballet to the widest possible audience through live performances across the UK and on eminent international stages; its digital platforms Ballet on Demand and BalletActive; its distinguished orchestra, English National Ballet Philharmonic; and being a UK leader in creative learning and engagement practice, building innovative partnerships to deliver flagship programmes such as English National Ballet's Dance for Parkinson's. Under the artistic directorship of Tamara Rojo CBE, English National Ballet has introduced ground-breaking new works to the Company's repertoire whilst continuing to honour the tradition of great classical ballet, gaining acclaim for artistic excellence and creativity. 2019 saw English National Ballet enter a new chapter in its history when it moved into a purpose-built state-of-the-art home in east London, Mulryan Centre for Dance, bringing a renewed commitment to, and freedom for, creativity, ambition, and connection to more people, near and far, than ever before. www.ballet.org.uk About Arts Council England Arts Council England is the national development agency for creativity and culture. We have set out our strategic vision in Let's Create that by 2030 we want England to be a country in which the creativity of each of us is valued and given the chance to flourish and where everyone of us has access to a remarkable range of high quality cultural experiences. We invest public money from Government and The National Lottery to help support the sector and to deliver this vision. www.artscouncil.org.uk Following the Covid-19 crisis, the Arts Council developed a £160 million Emergency Response Package with nearly 90% coming from the National Lottery, for organisations and individuals needing support. We are also one of several bodies administering the Government's Culture Recovery Fund and unprecedented support package of £1.57 billion for the culture and heritage sector. Find out more at www.artscouncil.org.uk/covid19

I was checking a cinema booking and saw the film of Carlos Acosta's Don Q is showing on 26 October at 8pm. Sounds good, does anyone know the casting?

Royal Opera House announces biggest Cinema Season ever (roh.org.uk) cinema goers can join The Royal Ballet for the opening night of Kenneth MacMillan’s Mayerling opening night of The Royal Ballet: A Diamond Celebration – including George Balanchine’s Diamonds, the Company’s first performance of For Four by Artistic Associate Christopher Wheeldon, and three world premieres – will be relayed live in November; in December, The Nutcracker will reach audiences across the globe, offering sweeping snowscapes, magical stagecraft and a showstopping series of dances performed in the dream-like Kingdom of Sweets. The new year kicks off with screenings of Like Water for Chocolate – a full-length ballet by Christopher Wheeldon that receives its premiere this current Season, and is inspired by Laura Esquivel’s captivating Mexican novel of the same name. The Royal Ballet’s new production of Frederick Ashton’s Cinderella, redesigned by a world-class creative team that includes set designer Tom Pye, Oscar award-winning costume designer Alexandra Byrne, lighting designer David Finn, video designer Finn Ross and magic consultant Chris Fisher (Live) live relay of The Royal Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty; ( May)

The Merry Widow is venerable in Australian Ballet terms. It was the first full length ballet comissioned by TAB in 1975, the gift ... it turned out to be the parting gift ... of Robert Helpman. (Helpman for me will always be the chivalrous, courteous and dignified Don Quixote of Nureyev's filmed production with TAB. Deluded, yes, but dignified. For me, no other Don Quixote comes near him.) But back to the Merry Widow. It's a glorious romp, Deceptively complex choreography (Ronald Hynd), sumptuously costumed, to great music (thank you John Lanchbery, who did a seamless job of rearranging Franz Lehar's music) and wonderfully danced. The night I attended, Hanna Glawari was danced by Kirsty Martin. Who? Oh, shame. Kirsty Martin turns out to be, not a principal dancer, but perhaps the principal dancer of TAB ten years ago. Retiring in 2011, she now teaches at the Australian Ballet's school, and came back for two performances of this ballet. Her return was facilitated by the fact that, although Marilyn Rowe was the first Hanna (and was repetiteur for the present production), Hanna's role was also designed with an aging Margot Fonteyn, who danced the role in the New York premiere in 1976, in mind. Together, seasoned principal Adam Bull and Martin gave us a couple by turns astonished, hurt, flirtatious and finally, recognizing their love. Leanne Stojmenov, as Valencienne and Andrew Killian, as Camille, were delightful, as was Colin Peasley as Valencienne's elderly husband. Colin first danced the husband's role at the premiere in 1975, and has danced it many many times since. Gives a whole new meaning to growing into a role. An amazing wealth of dance styles, from waltzes, polonaise, and mazurkas (why do mythical ballet kingdoms always get placed somewhere in eastern Europe? How about central Asia, for once? Great dances and no mazurkas) finishing with a great cancan (Chez Maximes) and a final delicious waltz which resolves everything and gives us a happy ending. I cannot tell a lie. I went along with no great expectations, and was completely won over. It may be fluff, but it's great fluff.

a trailer has just been released for Yuli, based on Carlos Acosta's memoir, No Way Home. It seems the movie is just doing the rounds of the film festivals at the moment. I expect its theatrical release will be next year

Apologies if this has been posted elsewhere but I got this email from Trafalgar Studios with details of new cinema cultural events. Some of them are plays and Metropolitan Opera season but there is the 2021/22 Bolshoi ballet season as well. https://outlook.live.com/mail/0/inbox/id/AQMkADAwATYwMAItZGQAMzQtOTFjMC0wMAItMDAKAEYAAAO%2FXQFqTsSFTrjvHgqOeEmSBwCPA1%2Fr9w2lRZyeVAuTnF7CAAACAQwAAAB4WvjRaiXXTIQShAX9COQgAAP%2FRTZNAAAA If this doesn't work (it is linked to my email) this is the Bolshoi link. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FhxDwQIygZV9rHUGy69T83cS02Yn8NH-/view Spartacus Nov 7 2021 Nutcracker Dec 19 2021 Jewels Jan 23 2022 Swan lake Mar 6 2022 Pharaoh's daughter. May 1 2022

DOGWOOF ANNOUNCES 7TH JANUARY UK & IRISH THEATRICAL RELEASE DATE FOR AILEY A FILM BY JAMILA WIGNOT ‘A hypnotic, immersive portrait’ INDIEWIRE ‘Wignot layers images, video and - most important - voice-overs from Ailey to create a portrait that feels as poetic and nuanced as choreography itself’ NEW YORK TIMES Alvin Ailey was a visionary artist who found salvation through dance. Directed by Jamila Wignot, the celebrated documentary is an immersive profile of ground-breaking and influential choreographer Alvin Ailey, founder of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. AILEY captures the brilliant and enigmatic man who, when confronted by a world that refused to embrace him, was determined to build one that would. Ailey is a sensorial, archival-rich story that traces the full contours of this extraordinary artist’s biography and connects his past to our present with an intimate glimpse into the Ailey studios today, where we follow innovative hip-hop choreographer Rennie Harris as he conceives a new dance inspired by Ailey’s life. Using never-before-heard audio interviews recorded in the last year of his life, we experience Ailey’s astonishing journey in his words. Ailey is released in UK & Irish cinemas 7th January 2022 Certificate TBC / Running time 90 Minutes AileyFilm.co.uk About Dogwoof Founded in 2003 by Andy Whittaker, Dogwoof is a London-based, documentary film company integrating production, sales, and UK theatrical distribution. Dogwoof has so far released 28 Oscar®-nominated documentaries, with four wins and an additional three BAFTA winners; notable titles include Oscar®-winning and BAFTA-winning Free Solo (the UK's highest grossing documentary of 2018), Oscar®-nominated RBG, BAFTA-winning The Act of Killing and Blackfish. Recent releases have included 2021 double-Oscar® nominated and BAFTA nominated Collective; 2021 Oscar® nominated The Mole Agent (also represented by Dogwoof Sales); double Oscar®-nominated Honeyland, and BAFTA-nominated Apollo 11(the UK’s highest grossing doc of 2019). Dogwoof premiered six projects in Sundance 2021; Playing with Sharks (a Dogwoof /TDog Production), Sabaya (winner of the World Documentary Directing prize), Philly D.A., Captains of Zaatari, Seeds of Deceit, and Ailey. Dogwoof's TDog production investment fund has currently five features and two series currently in production; the fund is focused on feature docs, docu-series, and remake rights, gearing up the company towards vertical integration.

Just back from seeing Spartacus at my Picturehouse and it was great, despite a technical break-down in act 3- which, thank goodness, sorted itself out eventually. It was delightful to be back in Moscow again and the interviews- with some old footage as well this time- were excellent. Not my favourite ballet but, after such a long hiatus, it somehow suited the mood for me: a bit of over the top, full-on emotional overload.....

If anyone went to see The Golden Age today and wants to discuss, please use this thread. Thanks.

Really liked the film, Hayward as glorious as expected (the camera clearly loves her) and the rest of the cast looked very good as well. Clever 'staging', though there was a bush that really needed pruning since it took centre view in a couple of scenes. The set and costumes are deliciously opulent. I was very happy to hear that Michael Nunn and William Trevitt are hoping to make more ballet films. I'd love to see Swan Lake filmed, though judging by the comments about mime and natural settings, that is unlikely to be a contender.

The Bolshoi have announced three cinema broadcasts for next season, all obviously recordings. 4 October + Romeo and Juliet 1 November + La Dame aux Camelias 20 December - The Nutcracker They are obviously hoping to be able to broadcast some live in 2021 as they haven't announced any thing further. Let's hope they can.

Ballet related....new documentary on Audrey Hepburn with Wayne McGregor, Francesca Hayward & Alessandra Ferri and lots of expensive clothes https://www.vogue.co.uk/arts-and-lifestyle/article/audrey-documentary

https://www.roh.org.uk/news/celebrate-classic-royal-opera-house-productions-this-autumn--in-cinemas-across-the-globe

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MATTHEW BOURNE’S THE RED SHOES CINEMA RELEASE RESCHEDULED FOR 30 SEPTEMBER 2020 Running time 97 mins / BBFC Cert U / In cinemas nationwide from 30 September, 2020 More2Screen is pleased to confirm that the postponed cinema release of Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes has been rescheduled. The double Olivier award-winning dance adaptation of the legendary film will be screened in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from 30 September 2020. Tickets are going on sale now at TheRedShoesCinema.com ‘Utterly enthralling’ ★★★★★ Daily Express ‘Bourne’s supremacy is assured with a gorgeous take on a film classic’ ★★★★ The Times ‘Matthew Bourne’s finest achievement to date’ ★★★★★ The Stage Matthew Bourne said today “New Adventures may not be able to perform on stage this year, but I’m thrilled that the UK will be able to experience the magic of our award-winning production of The Red Shoes on the big screen. This show was in many ways a love letter to a life in the theatre for me and it seems particularly apt to be able to share it with you at this time. We are extremely proud of this film, which captures the excitement of live performance so powerfully and we trust it will bring a much-needed escape for our loyal audiences countrywide.” The Red Shoes is a tale of obsession, possession and one girl's dream to be the greatest dancer in the world. Victoria Page lives to dance but her ambitions become a battleground between the two men who inspire her passion. Set to the achingly romantic music of golden-age Hollywood composer Bernard Herrmann, The Red Shoes is orchestrated by Terry Davies, with cinematic designs by Lez Brotherston, lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Paul Groothuis and projection design by Duncan McLean. Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes was filmed live at Sadler’s Wells in London and is the seventh New Adventures production to be filmed in partnership with More2Screen and distributed to cinemas worldwide. World-famous dancer, actor and choreographer, Adam Cooper, returns to New Adventures after more than 20 years to play the iconic role of Svengali-like Impresario ‘Boris Lermontov’. One of New Adventures much-loved stars, Ashley Shaw, reprises her award-winning role of ‘Victoria Page’ having first created it for the 2016 World Premiere Season. Acclaimed New Adventures performer Dominic North dances the role of struggling composer ‘Julian Craster’, with whom Victoria falls in love. The filmed cast also includes other celebrated New Adventures dancers: Michela Meazza as the Prima Ballerina of Ballet Lermontov ‘Irina Boronskaya’, Liam Mower as Premier Danseur ‘Ivan Boleslawsky’ and Glenn Graham as the Ballet Master ‘Grischa Ljubov’. Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes is directed for the screen by Ross MacGibbon and produced by Illuminations. It is being screened in cinemas worldwide by More2Screen, a leading Event Cinema distributor based in London. For more information visit: TheRedShoesCinema.com #TheRedShoesCinema CREDITS Based on the film by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger and the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale Music by Bernard Herrmann Orchestrations by Terry Davies Cast BORIS LERMONTOV, Ballet Impresario: Adam Cooper VICTORIA PAGE, A Rising Star: Ashley Shaw JULIAN CRASTER, A Struggling Composer: Dominic North The Ballet Lermontov IRINA BORONSKAYA, Prima Ballerina: Michela Meazza IVAN BOLESLAWSKY, Premier Danseur: Liam Mower GRISCHA LJUBOV, Ballet Master, Choreographer and Character Artist: Glenn Graham NADIA – Rose Goddard SVETLANA – Bryony Harrison BERYL – Stephanie Billers PAMELA – Kate Lyons MIKHAIL –Danny Reubens ANTON – Harrison Dowzell SERGE – Jackson Fisch FREDERIC – Joao Carolino LADY NESTON (Victoria’s Aunt), JOYCE (Auditionee), EDITH (Costume Designer) – Daisy May Kemp SERGEI RATOV (Scenic Designer) – Reece Causton DIMITRI (Lermontov Secretary & Company Manager) – Ben Brown MUSIC HALL PERFORMERS, LADY NESTON’s GUESTS and other characters played by members of the Company Production Directed & Choreographed by Matthew Bourne Set & Costume Design by Lez Brotherston Lighting Design by Paule Constable Sound Design by Paul Groothuis Projection Design by Duncan McLean NOTES TO EDITORS About Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures New Adventures is proud to be a truly national dance-theatre touring company and is one of Britain’s leading exporters of dance internationally. Over the past 30 years New Adventures has transformed the popularity of dance in Britain, creating works that have altered the public perception of what is possible when it comes to telling stories without words. New Adventures has received numerous international awards and an incredible 12 Olivier Award nominations resulting in 6 wins. Over the past 30 years New Adventures has created 12 full-length productions and a mixed-bill of shorter works. This award-winning repertoire has inspired and thrilled millions of people worldwide. New Adventures is passionate about diversifying the dance landscape and investing in the future of dance, through delivering inclusive projects for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, and developing and inspiring emerging artists. https://new-adventures.net/ About More2Screen More2Screen is a leading distributor of Event Cinema with an unparalleled reputation among its blue-chip partners for professionalism, responsiveness and the delivery of great cinema events to audiences around the world. Founded in 2006 by CEO Christine Costello, it has been a global pioneer in the harnessing of digital technology to bring the very best in live music, performance arts and cultural entertainment to local cinema audiences. In collaboration with its stellar list of long-standing content partners, More2Screen has acted as consultants, producers and worldwide distributors in bringing over 150 ‘special event’ productions to its network of more than 7,000 cinemas in 65+ international territories. Winner of the inaugural Best European Distributor award in 2015 (Event Cinema Association) and a Screen International Screen Awards finalist in 2015, 2016 and 2017, More2Screen won the Screen Award ‘Event Cinema Campaign of the Year’ category in 2018 for the live broadcast of the musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. Recent highlights of the More2Screen slate include the special art exhibition event, Gauguin from the National Gallery, London, Emma Rice’s highly acclaimed production of Wise Children and two highly successful musical releases – 42nd Street and Kinky Boots. The Red Shoes is the seventh New Adventures production to be filmed in partnership with More2Screen and distributed to cinemas worldwide. www.more2screen.com

Well, it will soon be time for my Mayerling fix (!) and I have tickets for all three Watsons. But I would like to see somebody else and seem to remember forum members raving about Bonelli and Morera. Am I right? Oh, and does anyone know if Ed Watson is fit again??????????

3D CINEMATIC EXPERIENCE ABOUT LEGENDARY AMERICAN DANCER AND CHOREOGRAPHER MERCE CUNNINGHAM SET TO BE RELEASED IN CINEMAS ACROSS THE UK AND IRELAND FROM 13 MARCH 2020 CUNNINGHAM, a 3D cinematic experience about legendary American choreographer Merce Cunningham is set to be released in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from 13 March 2020, following the Merce Cunningham centenary this year. Directed by Alla Kovagan for Dogwoof, the film follows Merce’s artistic evolution over three decades of risk and discovery between 1944–1972, from early years as a struggling dancer in postwar New York to his emergence as one of the most visionary and influential choreographers in the world. Misunderstood and rejected by the dance world of his time, Merce persevered against all odds and developed a new dance technique and a new way of thinking about making dance performances in collaboration with composer John Cage and visual artist Robert Rauschenberg. Rooted in both imaginary realms and actual life experiences, the film features excerpts from Cunningham’s works, re-imagined for 3D cinema at interior and exterior locations. The precise choreography of the camera will allow viewers to “step inside the dance”; and the archival materials (16mm/35mm footage, audio, and photographs) evoke the charged atmosphere of the time, while Merce’s own diagrams and drawings provide insight into his creative process. 3D technology weaves all the elements together, creating a moving and visceral journey through Merce’s world. Alla Kovagan, Director, said: “I never imagined working with Merce’s choreography on filmbecause of the complexity of his choreographic structures and his infinite explorations in time andspace. 3D offers interesting opportunities as it articulates the relationship between the dancers in and to the space. Merce and 3D represent an idea fit, not only because of his use of space but also because of his interest in every technological advancement of his time and his willingness to adapt and work in unconventional settings/locations. It became clear to me that even back in the 1950s, before Merce developed the idea of an “event,” he had been longing to create immersiveenvironments for his dances. Today, 3D allows for his dream to come true.” Jennifer Goggans, Director of Choreography said: “There is a certain poignancy in hearing Merce’s voice for those of us that knew and worked with him. But beyond that trigger of emotion is the fact that he and his early collaborators and dancers tell the story, in their own voices, which gives a weight and power to this film that is undeniable. The archival materials that Alla uncovered in her research are simply stunning and the live action scenes bring Cunningham’s dances into the present tense, displaying how truly ahead of his time he was as an artist. But what touched me most of all, was being reminded of the perseverance and determination of everyone involved in the formative years of the company and Cunningham’s openness to the generations that followed. It is an honor to be part of this history and to be able to share his work once again on such a large scale.” The full creative team on the film is made up of Alla Kovgan (Director & Writer), Jennifer Goggins (Director of Choreography, US), Robert Swinson (Supervising Director of Choreography, US), Joséphine Derobe (Director of Stereography, France), Mko Malkhasyan (Director of Photography, Us/Armenia), Hauschka (Volker Bertelmann) (Composer, Germany) and Mieke Ulfig (Archival Sequences Designer, Germany). Merce Cunningham (1919-2009) was a world-renowned choreographer unequaled for innovation in both the 20th and 21st centuries. Merce persevered against all odds and developed a new dance technique and a new way of thinking in collaboration with seminal visual artists and composers such as John Cage (who was also his life partner), Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, Frank Stella, and Andy Warhol. The Merce Cunningham Dance Company was founded in 1953 and disbanded in 2011 after Merce’s death. Throughout his seventy-year career, Merce choreographed more than 180 dances and over 700 “Events,” which combined excerpts from diverse works in novel contexts. Known for his experimentation with “chance operations,” he also worked with the cutting-edge technologies of his time —including film, video, TV, computer programming, and motion capture—to explore his work in different contexts. Merce’s story, commitment to innovation, and ideas continue to influence generations of artists and choreographers worldwide. Born in Moscow, Alla Kovgan has divided her time between Europe and the US working with dance and film collaborations on screen, VR and in theatre. She also brings a strong record as a documentary writer/editor. Her film NORA has received 30 awards in every genre and was broadcast worldwide. She co-wrote/edited the Emmy-nominated TRACES OF THE TRADE (Sundance, PBS), MOVEMENT REVOLUTION AFRICA (ZDF/ARTE) and edited MY PERESTROIKA (Sundance, PBS). Her first VR piece with Finnish music duo Puhti DEVIL’S LUNGS won Grand Prix at the Vienna Shorts Festival, which made her an artist-in-residence at Vienna’s Museum Quarter 21 in 2019. Jennifer Goggans, a Kentucky native, holds a BFA from SUNY Purchase and performed as a member of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company for 12 years. She was the Assistant to the Director of Choreography during the company’s final Legacy Tour. She has taught Cunningham Technique® classes and staged his works across the globe, notably, the Paris Opera Ballet, the Lyon Opera Ballet, the Bayerisches Staatsballet, L.A. Dance Project, the Stephen Petronio Company and the Juilliard School. Goggans has performed with the Louisville Ballet, MOMIX, Chantal Yzermans, and Christopher Williams and has appeared as a guest artist with the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. She also studied fashion design at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology and has created costumes for Tere O’Connor and RoseAnne Spradlin. Currently, she is also the Program Coordinator for the Merce Cunningham Trust. Robert Swinston joined the Merce Cunningham Dance Company (MCDC) in 1980 and became Assistant to Merce Cunningham in 1992. Following Cunningham's death in 2009, he was named Director of Choreography and a Trustee of the Merce Cunningham Trust. He oversaw the MCDC, the Repertory Understudy Group, and the Cunningham Educational Outreach Program until the closure of the MCDC in 2011. Swinston reconstructed many Cunningham dances for the MCDC and staged his works worldwide – for Boston Ballet, White Oak Dance Project, New York City Ballet, and the Paris Opera Ballet. In 2003, Swinston received a Bessie Award for his performance in the revival of Cunningham’s How to Pass, Kick, Fall, & Run. Since 2013, he has acted as the Artistic Director of the Centre National de Danse Contemporaine in Angers, France and formed a new company that has 8 Cunningham dances in its repertoire, and performed numerous Cunningham Events. His tenure at the CNDC will expire in June 2020, and he is dedicated to continuing sharing the Cunningham legacy throughout the world. -ENDS- LISTINGS CUNNINGHAM In cinemas across the UK and Ireland from 13 March cunninghamfilm.com NOTES TO EDITORS Dogwoof is regarded as the foremost documentary specialist brand in the world and is a stamp of the highest quality content. We sell worldwide, distribute theatrically in the UK and invest in the production of creative feature docs and docu-series. Founded in 2003 by Andy Whittaker, Dogwoof is a London-based, documentary film company integrating production, world sales and UK distribution. Dogwoof has so far released 24 Oscar®-nominated documentaries, with four wins and an additional three BAFTA winners; notable titles include Oscar®-winning and BAFTA-winningFree Solo (the UK’s highest grossing documentary of 2018), BAFTA-nominated Three Identical Strangers, Oscar®-nominated RBG, BAFTA-winning The Act of Killing and Blackfish. Dogwoof’s TDog production investment fund has premiered two films in Sundance Film Festival - Westwood and Halston - with more in the production and post production stage; the fund is focused on feature docs, docu-series, and remake rights, gearing up the company towards vertical integration.

Well, I'm afraid it wasn't a flawless broadcast of Raymonda today at the cinema I went to: in addition to numerous (and seemingly regular) gaps in the audio (and often video) of about one second, we had two long losses of picture and sound, one in each of the first two acts. One of them resulted in the screen becoming more horribly pixelated than anything I'd seen since the motherboard on my new laptop failed about a decade ago I hope others fared better. Technical issues apart, I'm afraid I found myself nodding off several times during Act I: not sure to what extent that was due to the very dark set. The third act is quite different in many respects from the Raymonda Act III which the Royal Ballet are currently performing, in particular due to the lack of solos for the supporting dancers - presumably these were given earlier in the ballet, perhaps in the bits I was unable to view. Certainly, the only additional solo was for either Clémence or Henriette, which I thought was a bit odd - I did entertain the thought that one of the dancers might have injured herself and so her solo was simply omitted without comment. It has to be said that it looks a lot more expansive on the Bolshoi's far more spacious stage.

Not sure if this is the right place to post this news, in which case a moderator will move it, but I don't think anyone has listed the Bolshoi Live ballets to be seen next season. They will be: 2019 Raymonda, 27 October Corsaire, 17 November Nutcracker, 15 December 2020 Giselle, 26 January Swan Lake, 23 January Romeo and Juliet, 29 March Jewels, 19 April Apologies if someone has already posted.

Pathé Live is showing the 2019-20 season of Bolshoi broadcasts, but for some reason only in French at the moment: https://www.pathelive.com/programme/ballet-du-bolchoi-19-20

I've just gotten home from watching Cats with my 11 yr old and his friend, I loved it, so did they, giving it 8 out of ten. I agree. I went expecting to hate it. I hadn't seen the stage version, so had no comparison as a starting point. It really was a festive treat, Francesca Hayward was lovely, appearing in just about every scene. She has a really beautiful expressive face which added to her role. I was surprised that she sang, I am hoping it was indeed her. Steven McRae's tap dancing was phenomenal! I can't work out why the film received zero or only one star reviews, I didn't read them beforehand as I really wanted to come to my own opinion without the critics words and spoilers reverberating in my head. Three people walked out of the screening this afternoon, about 30 minutes in; this got me thinking about the negative reviews on the way home. I think perhaps this is a film where there is no middle ground, you either just love straight away, or you don't. It has an unusual rather unreal quality to it, not quite magical, but an unusual 'feel.' If you love the poems of T.S Eliot and the music of ALW, and want to watch some wonderful cats with human faces, then go, suspend disbelief and enjoy.

Francesca Hayward is to take the lead role in the new film Cats - see http://www.roh.org.uk/news/royal-ballet-principal-francesca-hayward-leads-the-cast-of-cats?utm_source=social&utm_medium=twitter She'll be replaced in The Unknown Soldier by Yasmine Naghdi and will be back with the company in the spring.

Just received a tweet announcing a new filmed version of the the above starring Francesca and Bracewell as the lovers, supported by dancers from the RB. Being shown by Curzon chain on December 16th , I guess to tie up with release of Cats. Looks great, hope for DVD eventually. If there was any doubt this will rocket Francesca’s career to greater heights.

Did anyone else get to see Dracula in their local cinema this evening? Wasn't it wonderful? Although we are lucky enough to live close enough to Leeds to see Northern Ballet regularly, it was perfect on a work night to be able to stay close to home and see it in our wonderful local independent cinema with a mug of tea in hand. I really hope there will be many more live broadcasts by Northern Ballet.