Pas de Quatre

How sad. There is also an article in today's Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/10447643/Ballerina-accuses-Bolshoi-of-demanding-cash-for-solos.html

As I said, I think it is not a salaried position so a visa is much easier to obtain for a student than a job. RBS Upper School students often perform with the company and there are no problems for those from overseas.

Yes, as veryskint says above, older dancers can win a years placement with a company at Prix de Lausanne. RB is one of the companies offering this. Younger dancers can win a year at the school. A few years ago a young man who won a place at RB from Prix de Lausanne was unable to take it up as he couldn't afford London living costs (this is not a salaried position as far as I know). He transferred the placement to a company in USA. ENB holds open auditions for its seasons "in the round" at the Albert Hall, where temporary contracts are given.

Ha - you spotted my double bluff! Alison I also agree with you there. The only way to listen to classical music is with WAV files. You can copy these onto electronic devices but they use a lot of memory.

Agreed - it is over amplification that is the problem.

Age thing? Are you kidding - I've got tickets booked for Status Quo in December!

I'm not sure that many dancers actually come straight from overseas schools direct to UK companies. Usually the route is via Senior school in UK (even if only for a year or two) or else as a professional, having already worked in a company abroad, then coming to a UK company.

Well it will be a great experience for Pascal and will look good on his CV!

I've had the same experience as Coates, with the wall of sound. Also bright lights shining directly at the audience are painful, literally, I end up shutting my eyes as it hurts too much!

Unfortunately I doubt it. Even if the govt has taken on board all the criticisms I think it would take a lot longer before anything changes. Equally I doubt if the dance schools/colleges will offer English & Maths GCSE. If these are obligatory then it is more likely that they will say that passing these exams will be necessary before a student can be accepted..

Great news - but do you know if it is short term or permanent, Pascal is not listed on Scottish ballet's website whereas Thomas is.

With their big productions in the round, ENB employs quite a few dancers on short term contracts. Scottish Ballet does the same for some of its productions - e.g. Nutcracker. That is why on Central's page of graduates, Thomas Edwards is listed as having a full year contract, to show the difference.

Yes, it was temporary - dd saw her in London over half term.

The main difficulty these days is actually getting invited to audition, very few auditions are open to all comers. Usually the dancer has to send photos and CV (sometimes a DVD too), so the better known the schooling, the more chance there is of being asked to attend the audition. Once there of course, it is what you show on the day that will get you the job!

Ballet West graduate Sarah Mortimer has joined Ballet Theatre UK (although she may have officially graduated 2012), and Charlotte Eaders who graduated this year has also joined BTUK as an Apprentice Dancer.

How about a flu vaccination?

It is almost like comparing a full orchestra playing a symphonic work, or a solo instrument playing a sonata. Both are equally valid - just different. Although people will always have their own preferences. Thanks Aileen, as I had seen Dutch National Ballet dancing Wheeldon's Cinderella in the recent broadcast, I had forgotten it was a co-production with San Francisco. I agree with much that was said in that review, but did like many of the effects such as the flying chairs. Also the drunken solo of the Step-mother which then became a pas de deux with the Father was a very funny and original dance.

Aileen - which review of Wheeldon's Cinderella? Here on this forum (haven't seen it yet) or elsewhere?

What a wonderful performance from a gallant company. Although they are a relatively new, small company, with young dancers, the standard of dancing and the production is splendid. I am sure hfbrew would be too modest to say so, but her DS is an excellent dancer with an engaging stage presence - he was The Nutcracker in the performance I saw. The choreography is superb, and very musical, with an intelligent story line. It makes good use of all the dancers with many quick costume changes! The music sounded really clear, and the set and costumes all looked fresh and elegant. An evening to remember!

Now what you are saying you dislike Anjuli, I would call a sissonne tombé, the foot that lifts to cou de pied devant continues into a small developpé and the dancer falls forward onto it, which is a different step and not a chassé at all. By the way I loved the Don Q video. In particular I like the hops on pointe in attitude in the échappés to 2nd sequence. It is rarely seen these days and usually substitued by a posé into pirouette in attitude.

Never underestimate teenage angst!

Looking forward to seeing it tomorrow night!

Yes Rambert is hard too. Also I think from previous threads relating to DaDas, there will be a lot of people looking for places on degree courses that allow for student funding.

Yes Pastel I am afraid ENB is just as hard to get into as RBS & Elmhurst. They too are looking at the whole world. Last year as well as regular auditions they held a one week summer school in USA from which two or three students were offered places. (Someone else might know the exact numbers).

I've always loved the poem "The Lady of Shallot" - any scope there?