hfbrew

Did other people find the Alain character really touching? He almost brought a tear to my eye (particularly Kay's portrayal). He just didn't 'get it' (those sighs of bewilderment and tilts of the head reminded me of Petrushka, perhaps strangely) and I wished that Ashton had found him a nice girl to marry at the end of the ballet.

 

The pdds for Lise and Colas were very affecting too, so romantic and tender.

I have seen one or two Alains that were very annoying because of the way they were portrayed. Only saw Paul Kay this time and adored him. Dh overheard someone describe his body as articulated which I thought an apt way to descibe his dancing. He let the choreography do the talking in terms of the comedy aspect whilst portraying Alain sympathetically. Bravo Mr Kay!

Yes! I noticed it because when the storm scene came on I was wondering whether they achieved the rain effect back then. But there were definately zig zag bolts!

Just sending a big hug. To you all.

I missed that bit - saw the streamer fall, though, and wondered what opera it was from.Talking about the storm scene, surely we haven't always had the lightning bolts, have we? I'd have been really worried for those people, being that close to the maypole and all those trees, if I'd thought lightning was

striking that nearby! PS: Welcome to the forum, Simon!

I just spent a blissful evening watching my old video of Lesley Collier and Michael Coleman in a recording of Fille made in 1980.

 

Definately flashes of thunder in it!

With respect, I'm not obsessing about it! I just thought it would be interesting to post the outcome as so many people had responded helpfully to my initial post about dd's exam experience. I totally agree that resilience is important and that is totally the approach dh and I are taking with dd - that and praising her for her good merit mark.

I'm sorry if I came across as obsessive.

I dont think you can across as obsessive and I for one am really glad you posted the end result. Your story will resonate with others and has helped highlight how hard it is for some students to handle exam results however sensible the parents are about it!

 

I also think Aileen made very wise points though about high achieving girls in general.

As a ballet-watcher I prefer not to look at stick insects.  Fortunately I don't see too many in the companies that I follow and those that are - it seems to be their natural build.

Totally agree.

Well I think merit is very good,these exams are really not easy and the new syllabus is challenging.

 

Did she do the new Grade 2 syllabus? It's supposed to be much harder than the old one and worldwide teachers are saying that the marking seems tougher.

 

Anyway, this is what I tell my students - the examiner sees what you do on that particular day and at that moment in time. She doesn't know you, has no idea who you are or what you are - she simply has a job to mark what she sees, according to the criteria the Academy has given her. The examiner is also a human being - she may be having a bad day too! Also, sometimes a student gets so nervous that he/she muddles half the exercises, or he/she might have an injury or a cold. There are so many things that can go wrong in an exam under pressure, so even though you may have worked really hard and improved so much, you can still end up with a lower mark than you deserve. In the same way, someone might have a fantastic exam and pull out the very best in themselves and even end up with a higher mark than someone who is considered better than them. Everything can and does happen in an exam, or an audition or a performance.

 

The point is that yes, it's frustrating when the mark is lower than expected, but what is important is the process of working towards the exam. The extra rehearsals and hours of extra practise and the effort that the student puts into the preparation for the exam are what count and make all the difference in the future, whatever the exam mark eventually turns out to be!

I couldnt agree more with this. Ive had plenty of students with "only" merit go to vocational school (including WL).

Ive also had students get distinctions who were only ever going to be recreational dancers.

 

Its difficult though as a student to understand and appreciate that an exam mark is not the be all and end all. Its the learning process thats important. And a student does have to appreciate that an exam is indeed a snapshot of that moment in time.

 

An examiner friend once said to me after a competition that the most talented dancer in it didnt win but the best dancer on the day did.

 

So congratulations to all those who have passed their exams after hours of hard work. I had 20 grade 2 candidates and so pleased with all of them for achieving merits!

Have lost count of how many times Ive seen Fille but still enjoyed it tonight as much as ever.

 

There were a few stage problems with doors not shutting properly, which meant in theory Colas could have just run outside instead of hiding in Lise's bedroom!

 

Really enjoyed all the cast. Ive seen Morera in many roles, the last being Giselle where she produced, for me one of the most harrowing death scenes. Tonight she showed once again how versatile she is and was a lovely Lise once again. Vadim danced beautifully too and held his nerve on those infamous lifts, dh and I felt that the music was too slow in places which didnt help the dancers timing.

 

Had really warmed to Paul Kay by the end, one of the best Alains Ive seen for a while. And as ever, I enjoyed Gary Avis too!

 

And Peregrine was enchanting.

 

What I most enjoyed though was the reactions of those around me who clearly had not seen this Ballet. It was great hearing the chuckles , out and out belly laughs and aahs from those seeing it for the first time. I almost envied them being able to view it as first timers to this Ballet. And not one rustly sweet or annoying phone screen.

Bliss!

 

And final mention to the corps who danced with such enthusiasm, good to see so many that ds was at school with!

Overheard a strange comment today that I thought I'd post on here...

"Only associates can apply to go full time at white lodge. There's no other way of getting in, the associates get invited"

Is this true? I can't imagine it is...

Well I remember that one person in ds year at WL had never even heard of associates!

The RBS website is very comprehensive and no where does it say " only associates can apply to go to White Lodge".

 

I do remember though that my ds did get given an audition form, as did all eligible associates with the letters "JA" stamped on it! So yes they do get invited to apply.

 

And lots of ballet.coers will know from past threads that it is possible to be offered a full time place from summer school, this once happened to a student of mine.( she declined.)

Thank you for such lovely reviews. My turn next Friday.

Saw the performance in Porthcawl last night and it was amazing!

Glad you enjoyed. That was my ds as Aladdin!

They are, aren't they?  I wasn't even aware they were appearing at the Baylis - is this yet again Sadler's not giving any info about performances they are promoting?  

Just a shame that getting up there is going to cost me almost as much as the ticket.  Thank you very much, Boris!

 

I think I'll have to stick to Croydon.

Unfortunately as its a private hire, Sadlers wont give any help promoting it at all. It will not be on their website.

 

So please, anyone in the London area, tell people about this chance to see a very hard working British company in their latest production. As others have testified, its well worth seeing. And you will be doing your bit to support a new company primarily made up of UK trained dancers!

My ds also! Although not in year 7 as that was a "Cinderella" year!

Wow, well done to your ds.

Of course its a good thing to have on the cv, any performing experience is.

Its very, very hard to get work in the industry and he has done well already. And he still has time to audition elsewhere, presuming Disney take him in September so hopefully he will have choices.

Getting that first job is crucial because many contracts require 2-3 years professional performing experience.

Good luck.

We're really looking forward to tonights performance, as we loved their performance of Swan Lake.  Can anyone tell me the running time as we are reliant on public transport back to Liverpool?  

 

Thank you

I would say allow 2 hours.

 

Enjoy!  I did when I saw it in Southport.

Yes, the performance should be finished 9.30pm. Enjoy!

Todays Runcorn cast

 

Aladdin Rudolf Giacolone

Princess Sarah Mortimer

Genie Pedro Santos

Slave of the Ring Natalie Cawte

Sorcerer David Brewer

 

Once again advance ticket sales are disappointing so please, if you can, go and support them and see a rather stunning Ballet as well. Its not just the high calibre of the dancers worth seeing but the fact that they do have a full set ( not just a blank screen at the back!) plus a vast array of stunningly colourful costumes.

Todays Camberley cast

Aladdin Pedro Santos

Princess Claire Corruble

Genie Vincent Cabot

Slave of the Ring Charlotte Eades

Sorcerer David Brewer

 

Performance time 3pm.

Please go and support them if you are nearby!

Just back from Dunstable.

 

Fab show but disappointing numbers in the audience, most were my students who loved it.

 

Small, self funded companies really solely on ticket sales so please spread the word that good quality Ballet that is not Nutcracker does exist out in the sticks!

 

And my heartfelt gratitude to those of you who have already taken the trouble to go and see BTUK you know who you are!

Im seeing this at Dunstable, Grove Theatre tonight.

 

Anyone else going?

'Article 19' blog is always good for a little controversy. Here's their take on the press release and they do not sit on the fence. In fact, I don't think that phrase would ever be in their vocabulary!

http://bit.ly/1I0lLEo

Really liked this!

Anyway just to say that ds once auditioned for one of the "4" mentioned and got to the final cut. Not bad for someone classically trained from 11...

It varies from school to school what mds covers so its probably best to check with them directly especially as it can change. For example I know that years ago at Tring you could learn two musical instruments at Tring but by the time my ds went it was just one. And that could now have changed too.

Each school should be able to tell you what is covered by the MDS at their establishments and surely its best to get this information at source?

Id hate to inadvertently mislead someone to think that they are entitled to something which is no longer the case even if its not that long ago that we were in the same position.

You mods should run the country! You 'd get my vote!

Dh and I saw our first swallow on Monday whilst sitting in a pub garden.

There were also 3 red kites circling around but we were more excited about the swallow!

And we hadnt finished our drinks then....

How about tonight? A last minute change of plan means I may be able to get to Southport!

And tonight is the David cast!

I realised too late that with the show starting earlier, 7pm, that there is no way I can go, its over 3hours away!

 

David; Prince

Ines; Princess

Jessica; Slave of the Ring

Philip ; Genie

Vincent; Sorcerer

Robert: Sultan

 

Phew, Ive finally broken the 1000 post barrier.. not sure whether this is a good or bad reflection of my Easter Holidays!

Why are there never any cast lists available? Money? Or does the cast change often?

The cast does rotate in order to spread the workload.

There are three casts this season and they are described in above posts.

 

I have said many a time that a cast list, even just one, on a board by the auditorium door would be so helpful! If anyone is going please make the suggestion and the message may get through!

 

In the meantime I am happy to enlighten folks on which cast they are seeing at any given performance although its wise to double check once at a Theatre.