Pas de Quatre

I saw it when first danced, and must admit I was not impressed.

Tamara Rojo was also criticised for being overweight!

It seems a good idea to start a new thread rather than hijacking the Panorama Post-transmission thread.  The last few posts were about Aaron Watkins interview and I commented it was a shame ENB would not be touring the triple bill from Sadlers Wells.  This sent me to search my old programme boxes, as I clearly remember the first time I saw Tamara Rojo live was on a mini tour.

I have three programmes of ENB's Tour de Force, 2000, 2001 and one which strangely does not give the year, just the month and date, possibly 2002.  The full company split and toured various smaller theatres rather like BRB used to do, and BRB2 is doing next year.  I am still convinced that this is the way to build up a loyal audience.  Below I will list the ballets, but not all the dancers as it would take too long.

2000 - Les Sylphides (Fokine);  Three Preludes, (Ben Stevenson);  Swan Lake Act 11 pas de deux, Le Corsaire, Who Cares? (Balanchine). This was the programme I saw Tamara Rojo.

2001 - Apollo (Balanchine);  Perpetuum Mobile (Christopher Hampson); Grand pas from Paquita

2002 (?) - Square Dance (Balanchine); X.N.TRICITIES (Mauro Bigonzetti); Perpetuum Mobile (Christopher Hampson)

These programmes were performed on two dates each at 5 venues in 2001 and 11 venues the other two years.  I know touring is expensive, but is it really impossible to do anything similar today? 

I'm afraid although I think Watkins will do well, this interview repeated the cliche "real personalities that shine on stage". This has been said by numerous ADs of various companies over the last few decades. Also I think it a shame that in the provinces we are only offered Nutcracker. I don't particularly like that production and won't be buying tickets. However if they dared to tour the triple bill I would have rallied friends and bought several tickets.

Please don't go, your posts have been so informative and enjoyable. This forum is not only about the training years. So few students become professional dancers it would be a great help if you can give us insight into what is happening in the world of employment, so we can follow their journey of your DD and friend.

30 minutes ago, Peanut68 said:

Is it even OFSTED for private schools? 

It was Ofsted which lead to changes at Tring. This may be why Tring is not named in the current invitation to submit experiences/problems.

Many teachers who have Exam Board accreditation have little experience or knowledge outside their board. So not necessarily able to teach beyond the basics.

There was an unannounced Ofsted inspection a few years ago at Tring. It was in response to many parental complaints. The then Director of Dance was suspended and officially left soon after. This was after years of pupils and parents being unhappy with the school and various allegations of an undesirable culture of favouritism, negativity eating disorders etc.

When I was a student, one female friend suffered from Anorexia. As a ballet teacher I had two cases in my school a few years apart. It is very hard to understand why these particular students suffered, when others were fine, although in each case their own circumstances may have been a factor.

Central School of Ballet do various single day courses for all levels, which is separate from their Associate schemes.

I think possibly it is a French rather than English version. After all he came to the West with Ballets Russes.

The most basic hold for a lift is round the waist with the palms flat against the body, thumbs and fingers trying to meet. This squeezes the waist in, so that the female's ribs are ontop of the upper side of the male's hands. If this isn't possible then a firm grip round the ribs is next best, but has a danger of slipping. A much looser grip is used to support pirouettes as you want sliding there.

In the article it says YMCA theatre Scarborough is closed by RAAC, but this is not current A crack in the structure lead to an inspection, but it was  not RAAC and they reopened.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-66718282

Another "excuse" often trotted out is that they can't cope with being a little fish in a big pond, they are too used to being the big fish in a little pond!

9 minutes ago, LinMM said:

I don’t really understand your post Pas de Quatre!! It’s the Labour Party who brought this Equal Opportunities Act in …2010 I believe! So not sure what your last sentence means!! 
 

Many articles in the press and online are blaming the shortfall in finances on the fact that the Council have paid recently huge amounts of money to female employees as a result of Equal Opportunites legislation.  It is in the Guardian article Ondine has posted the link above.

Chris, I fear you may indeed be cruelly disappointed. No matter how well Thangam Debbonaire advocates for the Arts, she would be a lone voice in the wilderness (if Labour is elected but it is far from sure). I have just read Richard Morrison in Times 2, and he gives a good over view of the causes of Birmingham Council's financial woes. To blame it on equal opportunity legislation, i.e. they have to pay those pesky women is a classic of Labour Party misogyny!

It used to be standard at  Covent Garden for there to be a one act ballet before Giselle! I remember how short-changed I felt when they dropped it.

But that was why such triple bills were popular. Very different contrasting ballets, not an artificial "theme". Also quite a substantial programme, Firebird alone is 47 mins.

Facade is a wonderful ballet when done with subtlety.  However it is very easy to ham it up. To get the flavour it is worth going back to Edith Sitwell's original poems which are recited to music. It use to be a staple of Touring RB's Triple Bills during the middle of 20th century.

Unless you know the family personally, it is unwise to judge. They may have their own Russian connections, not just through the teachers. A Russian teacher friend, who trained at the Vaganova Academy, has lived here for many years in UK and has lovely children (not dancers). She goes regularly on visits to St. Petersburg to visit family who live there.

Actually I disagree, no need for a comma. There are two categories of items, one is larger bags, the other is backpacks, so linking them with and is correct.

To be more correct, it is a selection from the Athelhampton performances, not just from last year.

It must be lovely having a Gala in Italy. This programme looks almost identical to last year's at Athelhampton with a few additions. So probably easy to revive after the Japan tour. I loved Les Lutins and it made me think that Ashton's pas de trois Tweedledum and Tweedledee with Alice would be a perfect piece for them!

It is not only at summer schools, during term-time some dancers do too much with classes all week and then even more on Saturdays and Sundays. At least one day should a rest to let the body recover.

It is funny how the fashion for names of companies changes. Western Theatre ballet became Scottish Theatre Ballet and then eventually Scottish Ballet. Northern Dance Theatre also changed and became Northern Ballet.