hfbrew

At one talk some years ago giving audition advice for full time training applicants, I well remember the comment " we can always tell the festival children".. This statement was followed by the observation that many (but not all) were all show and no substance! Doing well at festivals does not necessarily equate to being suitable for full time training or a future professional career. Nor for that matter high exam results.

The life skill about taking criticism is indeed crucial , something my ds and his fellow full time students learnt from a very early age. A dancer has to take it every day. But my point in one of my earlier posts was that some got feedback that was stated at the time as "fact". "Facts" that supposedly would prevent classical careers. Can't go into too much detail at risk of identifying individuals. At least one of these individuals nearly lost the chance to training elsewhere because the parents took the feedback so seriously they were unsurprisingly reluctant to fund more training. My own dh also expressed an opinion that ds should therefore discontinue, luckily this changed when the yesses started to arrive. There have been many posts on this forums about "nos" at auditions and the resulting feeling of discouragement. How many times have we advised that no is not necessarily never! In these cases, whilst feedback may be useful,it could simply compound the disappointment rather than just moving on. And where there are a large group of auditionees how pertinent to each individual would they be? And as others have pointed out, this is the reality of what happens in professional auditions. You can travel miles only to be turned away at the door before even one pile!

Sometimes it is possible for a teacher who asks, to get feedback. I got this about students on JA/MA waiting lists. It can also be helpful to get advice from approachable teachers at summer schools. They can sometimes suggest or give insight as to why a student may or may not be suitable for a particular place, especially if they have taught at said schools.

And it would still be a subjective view too. But someone getting such feedback could take it as an absolute truth and then give up trying elsewhere. Had some of ds friends taken to heart some of the feedback they got given after preliminary auditions for US about why they weren't cut out for US or a even classical Ballet career then audiences today would be deprived of some lovely dancers who are now dancing professionally in well known companies. Also, although feedback can be useful, sheer numbers of those auditioning would surely impact on length of time getting results out and costs. Auditions cost enough as it is. And in the case of places who get hundreds of applicants there is no guarantee that the feedback would be pertinent and personal to each auditionee.

Another good performance tonight at Croydon. I went on spur of moment and was glad to add to the regrettably small audience who all seemed to enjoy it nonetheless.

Croydon matinee Aladdin Rudolphe Giacolone Princess Sarah Mortimer Genie Pedro Santos Slave of the Ring Natalie Cawte Sorcerer David Brewer Evening Aladdin David Brewer Princess Ines Ferreira Genie Philip Tunstall Slave of the Ring Jessica Hill Sorcerer Vincent Cabot Have also put this on the thread in performances seen (its where I've put casts before!)

Croydon matinee Aladdin Rudolf Giacolone Princess Sarah Mortimer Genie Pedro Santos Slave of the Ring Natalie Caste Sorcerer David Brewer Evening Aladdin David Brewer Princess Ines Ferreira Genie Philip Tunstall Slave of the Ring Jessica Hill Sorcerer Vincent Cabot (Same as Bishops Stortford)

Thank you for the lovely review last night Anna, so glad you enjoyed it. So sad that there are still no programmes but it seems there just haven't been enough advanced sales to fund this tour. Ds said in an all too brief call today the pas de deux was "interesting" and that they had to change it! He quickly reassured me that it wasn't through injury but he would tell me more another time and that was it, end of call! (Beware parents of dancing sons, communication doesn't necessarily improve with age.) I must say that the dancers appreciated the applause! Will post Croyden casts later.

Just to stress that this year's dates are 24th-28th August. It's been pointed out that the online table still has last year's dates although the correct dates are also on the flyer. Am endeavouring to getting it changed asap! But will accept forms as they are, have received a few already. Helen Brewer

Cast for Bishops Stortford (Rhodes Theatre)tonight. Aladdin - David Brewer Princess - Ines Ferreira Genie- Philip Tunstall Slave of the ring- Jessica Hill Sorcerer- Vincent Cabot Do go if you can, it's a lovely Ballet to watch and the dancers would really appreciate the support!

Lowered the tone? Crumbs.....! That really takes the biscuit.

Believe me I was nearly first in the queue for the cake! Very nice it was too!

So that's where the bourbons were. I was at a teachers conference at Tring yesterday and we just got boring shortbread! (The conference was good though!)

Good luck. Hope that you have a comprehensive list of questions with you.

I remember paying £9.99 for my shoes, year's ago, sigh!

This year's forms are finally available on our website,www.harpendensummerdanceschool.co.uk Dates 24th-28th August, our 10th year! Please don't hesitate to contact me with any queries. Have had a few enquiries already so please don't delay booking! Helen Brewer (co director)

The reason why they werent on Lilian Baylis website is that it was a private hire, so no help whatsoever promoting it.

Should have been Helen....

Sad news. The Lilian Baylis performances are cancelled. I imagine that its too few advanced sales to justify outlay, for example accommodation for dancers and crew alone is a considerable expense. Such a shame. Thanks to AnnaC for posting the link on this thread and I'd also flagged it up in performances seen too. It would have been a reasonably priced good night to a decent Ballet company too! Oh well, hopefully Croydon will do better!

It was listed on the tour dates until yesterday and it is listed on the flyers issued to each venue although these won't be at Sadlers Wells. I can't imagine that tickets won't be on sale in the door as they desperately need an audience but I will try and find out! Croydon won't be a problem by the way. It is listed on the website and there is a comprehensive page where you can link to videos about the making of the Ballet. Edited to add that my boss has booked tickets for Thursday using the link that was on the website. I sadly can't go due to teaching commitments.

Well I think the princess should be named Helen after me as its my Birthday too!

This is odd because yesterday it was still showing on BTUK website. As Annac posted in OP tickets were available through BTUK website. The private hire conditions meant no help or coverage at all from Sadlers Wells. Which is why I've also posted about this elsewhere. Unfortunately it looks as if only Thursdays performance will go ahead now because of the poor advance sales.My ds is certainly expecting to dance that day. So upsetting for these talented dancers who work so hard, their touring schedule is pretty extensive. And as others have testified this is a British company well worth seeing.

I still have some of my "Wells" books. And a very precious copy of The Tale of the Tales.

Janet, I once saw Michael O'Hare accidently throw the wig as well as the bonnet at Colas (Im afraid Ive forgotten who was in that role that evening.) The looks on their faces were priceless!

Bumping this again as just over a week to go and sadly still low ticket sales due to no publicity on Sadlers Wells website ( on account of it being private hire.) On another thread there is talk of high ticket prices. Well why not try a completely different, UK self funded company with lots of young talent for just £12? Please, even if you cant go do tell folks about this opportunity to see a different Ballet, ideal prices for students!