MAB

It's not really that many when you consider that just about every company has a production of R& J and some actually have two or three.

ENB has given performances at Sadlers Wells in the past but the seating capacity is only 1,500 compared with 2,350 at the Coliseum. I know a ballet fan who won't go to the Wells as it is too difficult to get to in her opinion. The Coliseum is very central though and has terrific sight lines unlike the god-awful ROH.

You are quite right, Ivan Vasiliev's 'breakneck style' would not fit in with the Royal Ballet.

I hope Dmitichenko does get bail; with no previous offences to his name it was inexplicable he wasn't offered it in the first place, clearly the Russian system is different from the UK.

Have a care when booing a villain, I heard of a singer in Hansel & Gretel reduced to tears after she was booed as the witch at Covent Garden. On the other hand the Kirov's Islom Baimuradov told me he LOVES it when his Carabosse is booed. Many years ago I booed a conductor who completely sabotaged a ballet performance, but that's it, though the most boo-worthy thing I ever saw was a Don Giovanni at Glyndebourne where the main design feature was a pile of excrement and the last act 'feast' was a dead horse whose innards were pulled out and eaten. Lots of boos and cries of 'Shame', rather annoyingly I had a bad throat that day or I would have booed as loudly as possible.

Wonderful news for us Putrov fans but spare a thought for poor Yonah Acosta, another victim of the great visa cock-up at ENB.

I can't get that performance of Giselle out of my mind, totally unique, not like a performance at all more like watching an actual tragedy being played out. Novikova was so unearthly in the second act and her balon made it seem as if the stage was a trampoline. Sarafanov was superb all through and the final moments as he lay beside her grave beating his fists on the ground in anger and frustration at his loss........... what an artist! He would be a great asset should the RB care to consider him, but Novikova too could bring a lot to the company and don't forget they are two female principals down at present. She is not among the 'favoured few' at the Kirov, but if I wrote here about how I consider the company to be seriously mis-managed I would probably earn my first public warning!

Surely if she dances Don Q. it would be with Acosta.

Why is Tsiskaridze not listed?

Yes, but Polunin knew exactly what Schaufuss's stock in trade was when he signed up for this. Unless he is injured (and there is no mention of injury) then he should have honoured his commitment to dance. End of.

This may be the final nail in the coffin of any hopes he might have of an international career, To walk out on one company is bad enough, but to walk out on two.... If I were a director looking around for a guest artist I'd choose someone reliable.

A dancer I adored. My trips to the RB will be decreasing after this.

Irmgard, I saw the two different casts last time around and I remember they brought more drama to the ballet than last night which was for me little more than gratuitous bravura. There were clips of Nureyev dancing this on TV a week or so ago and he was both elegant and more exciting in my view. Perhaps it is all a question of approach. Glad you mentioned Sabina Yapporova (I love that girl) and Oksana Bondareva as both danced quite beautifully, even with such strong competition as Osipova on stage.

Quite right Alison, Fuente Ovejuna was written by Lope de Vega, the Spanish Shakespeare in many respects, they were roughly contemporaries I think. I saw it many years ago at the NT and it is a very gritty play. Regarding Ivan Vasiliev, I think he is bravely dancing through an injury and that fact needs to be taken into account when watching his current performances. The Novikova Giselle has been the highlight of the season for me and this is one of the dancers largely ignored when it comes to big roles at the Kirov.

Come on Dunc, put your money where your mouth is. There have been few politicians more lacking in empathy and compassion than this one. Thanks Janet and The Quays, more than happy to sign this.

I doubt if the Filin story will have any effect at all, the Bolshoi has exceptionally loyal fans that will turn up regardless. Don't forget between now and August there will be far more important things on peoples minds, hate to say it but this is a minor story outside ballet fora and even RT have stopped commentating on it anymore with the big stories being Cyprus and Syria.

So you write as a cheer leader for Sergei Filin, as if he needed one, and writing rubbish about Nikolai Tsiskaridze is somehow all his own fault, and exactly what negative things have been written here about Filin? The Ballet.co regular posters have all shown sympathy towards him.

I said he was one of the most popular teachers at the Bolshoi, I was not referring to his coaching because as you confirm, almost all his students were 'advised' to leave him. I sat in on one of Tsiskaridze's classes when the Bolshoi was at the ROH last time, indeed I hope to do so again this summer, it was a highly enjoyable experience. A few years ago Marina Leonova, director of the Bolshoi Ballet School, was full of praise for his teaching abilities, indeed she told me her daughter Anna Leonova attended his classes, if his classes are now also being curtailed, I can begin to understand why he is less than enamoured of the Bolshoi management.

So it was your mutual dislike of Tsiskaridze that led you both to post here? Edited to amend grammar.

Unsurprisingly the link doesn't work. This is nothing more than petty gossip anyway. How's the weather in Moscow today "Clarissa"?

Staying away? Why should they?

Very pleased to hear your good news, now sit back and enjoy your good fortune

Was just sent a link, they look more than good to me.

The NY Times has the best coverage I've read so far http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/07/world/europe/russian-police-say-three-confess-to-bolshoi-attack.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&partner=rss&emc=rss& The references to low rates of pay are interesting, maybe that's why so many dancers are girlfriends/toy boys of mafiosi. Of course with Filin also heading up the union it isn't so surprising that there is a 'faction' that is less than keen on the situation. Have to say though that I applaud Pavel D. for taking on a critic in print, I wish some of the UK dancers would do the same. Anzhelina Vorontsova is supposed to be quite beautiful but I've only seen inadequate You Tube clips; I notice she isn't listed as appearing in London, I wonder why?

Try the Guardian article - no paywall http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2013/mar/06/bolshoi-dancer-confesses-acid-attack