Pas de Quatre

But as the official list says there is a shortage of dancers, does the salary level still count?

On the other hand, decades ago, when I was auditioning for classical companies in UK and Europe there was no pre-election so there were too many people. The worst would be when a cut was made before the class even started. Then throughout the barre after each exercise some dancers would be asked to leave. Less than half those who were auditioning made it to the centre work. Then again cuts were made after every few exercises. Would you really want to return to this? No too bad if a location is within easy reach, but you could spend lots on travel and hotels which was wasted.

As well as seeing the ballet, I have also been to a concert with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra playing The Miraculous Mandarin. It was thrilling and I loved it!

I am pretty sure there was a BRB version touring some 20-25 years ago, but I will have to see if I can find the programme. It was a fabulous dramatic dance work. Yes a glorious noisy score at times. I have used extracts for my own choreography. 

This season Christian Spuck has  moved to Berlin.  As a parting gift to Zurich his ballet R & J was streamed free. I caught it and enjoyed much of the production. His Dance of the Knights is the best part and there are lots of good things, including the duels and deaths of Mercutio and Tybalt. It is contemporary choreography and at times I felt it didn't differentiate enough between the Montagues and Capulets and became a bit repetitive. Well worth watching though.

I have a vague memory of a TV interview where Wayne Sleep was talking about the mask and costume problems.

Or do they have more a more exciting repertoire, and better productions of the classics?

1 hour ago, FionaM said:

I understood Arabia to be part of the Asian continent … it’s the peninsula to the east of East Africa.  It is/was connected to Africa only at the Sinai peninsula.  
 

 

Even if you do categorise it thus, my point was that the pirates and slavers plundered along the coast of East Africa. 

The ballet Le Corsaire is set in Arabia which is East Africa, thousands of miles away from West Africa and the transatlantic slave trade.

Sadly people trafficking and modern slavery still exists in many parts of the world. 

Old fashioned remedy, wet the heel of the tights using a small spray bottle. If this is not enough put the damp heel in the rosin box. Then put on the shoes.  This should make the satin stick. Some people prefer to put the shoes on first and then wet the shoe heel from the outside. 

I have just watched up to the famous pas de trois, usually pas de deux for Galas. It is a very jolly production with some fabulous dancing! The filming is from one fixed camera which pans in and out and follows the movement across the stage. Feels more like a simple record rather than a professional production with multi camera angles and cutting between shots. I rather like it as you don't get frustrated by missing bits. 

Would recommend it!

Thanks for posting this.

Are you only looking at UK schools, or are you interested in European ones too?

5 hours ago, LinMM said:

So how are they accepted for passports then 🤔

Possibly because it is only part of the documentation? There is are legitimate reasons in genealogy to get copies of various peoples birth certificates, but it is also supposed to be a way false identities are created.

I think the problem with birth certificates is that anyone can buy a copy of a birth certificate, not just the person named on it!

There is a piece in The Times here is the link, but it may be paywall protected.Times Article Gergiev

I remember feeling very short changed the first time I saw Giselle without an opening ballet, late 1960s. Someone correct me if I am mistaken, but I don't think they had the music for Peasant Pas de Deux in those days either as the pas de deux, or reworked as other choreography.

They do have an Adults class, but it may not be at a suitable time for you. Why not simply ask,  they are very approachable people.

Have a look at Bristol Russian Ballet School. Excellent teaching!

Aren't there some similar costumes in Jazz Calendar?

Nothing surprises me anymore! Some 12 years ago a friend confided in me how distressed she was by the performance her daughter did as part of her A level drama course.  The girl had to simulate masterbation on stage. As she was only 17 at the time I would have thought this contravened all sorts of child protection laws. Possibly wouldn't happen now.

I think it wonderful that the Royal visit has been so well publicised. It is obvious that it is not just a duty call, but

a real personal pleasure for them. This could be of lasting benefit helping to make ballet fashionable again amongst the "great and good", and lead to more sponsorship/do actions to RB and maybe other companies too.

Great news. Interestingly the ballet companies listed for her dance and conducting experience are those where Aaron Watkins also had experience so he probably knows her well.

That's interesting, I loved Mark Bruce's Dracula, so look forward to Frankenstein!