Jan McNulty

PRESS RELEASE 12 February 2024 PRODUCTION IMAGES RELEASED FOR BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET’S THE SLEEPING BEAUTY INCLUDING MALE DANCER, GABRIEL ANDERSON'S DEBUT IN THE ROLE OF CARABOSSE DAME DARCEY BUSSELL DBE COACHES DANCERS Gabriel Anderson as Carabosse in Birmingham Royal Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty - credit Tristam Kenton SIR PETER WRIGHT’S CLASSIC STAGING OPENS A UK WIDE TOUR IN SOUTHAMPTON ALSO VISITING BIRMINGHAM, SALFORD, SUNDERLAND, PLYMOUTH, BRISTOL AND LONDON GABRIEL ANDERSON DEBUTS IN THE ROLE OF CARABOSSE, THE FIRST TIME A MALE DANCER HAS DEBUTED THE ROLE IN THE COMPANY FOR 34 YEARS YU KURIHARA AND BEATRICE PARMA MAKE THEIR PRINCESS AURORA DEBUTS WITH COACHING BY DAME DARCEY BUSSELL DBE 2024 MARKS 40 YEARS OF SIR PETER WRIGHT’S BELOVED PRODUCTION ALINA COJOCARU TO GUEST STAR IN SELECT PERFORMANCES AT LONDON’S SADLER’S WELLS TICKETS FOR ALL VENUES ON SALE AT BRB.ORG.UK Following a sell-out success with one of the most talked about theatrical events of 2023 with Black Sabbath - The Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet has returned to the stage with one of the Company’s most beloved classics, Sir Peter Wright’s sumptuous staging of The Sleeping Beauty. Marking the production’s 40th anniversary year, the 2024 UK tour opened last week at the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton where the production played until Saturday 10 February. The tour then continues to Birmingham Hippodrome (21 Feb-2 Mar), The Lowry, Salford (7-9 Mar), Sunderland Empire (14-16 Mar), Theatre Royal, Plymouth (20-23 Mar), Bristol Hippodrome (18-20 Apr) and London’s Sadler’s Wells (24-27 Apr). At select performances on the tour, the role of the villainous Carabosse will be danced by Gabriel Anderson, marking the first time a male dancer has debuted in the role of Carabosse with BRB for 34 years. Other notable male dancers who have danced the role in the Company’s history include previous BRB Director, Sir David Bintley back in 1986. Dame Darcey Bussell DBE has been joining BRB in the studio during the rehearsal process, coaching dancers who will be taking on some of the ballet's most iconic roles such as Princess Aurora - following in the footsteps of Dame Darcey herself. Coached by Dame Darcey, Yu Kurihara and Beatrice Parma will make their debuts as Princess Aurora during the UK tour. For full casting information and performance dates visit brb.org.uk/castsheets. The acclaimed Royal Ballet and English National Ballet Principal, Alina Cojocaru will return to the London stage for special guest star performances at Sadler’s Wells at evening performances on both Thursday 25 April and Saturday 27 April 2023. Throughout her illustrious career, Alina Cojocaru has received acclaim for her performances in classic roles such as Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Giselle and, perhaps most famously, Princess Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty - for which she won the Critics' Circle Dance Award for Outstanding Female Classical Performance in 2017. Alina is a regular guest artist with the Hamburg Ballet as well as appearing with companies across the globe. In 2020, she presented her own programme “Alina at the Wells” at Sadler's Wells. Alina Cojocaru presented and performed in La Strada, a new ballet based on Fellini’s cinematic masterpiece, at Sadler’s Wells in January this year. The 2024 tour of The Sleeping Beauty follows on from the 2023 UK tour of Sir Peter Wright’s Swan Lake -BRB’s most successful spring tour to date, having been seen by over 53,000 people. Last seen on UK stages over six years ago, The Sleeping Beauty continues Birmingham Royal Ballet’s legacy of presenting the acclaimed heritage classics and celebrating the beloved work of its founder, Sir Peter Wright. The Sleeping Beauty is the fourth of Sir Peter Wright’s productions to be presented by the company since autumn 2022, following Coppélia, The Nutcracker and Swan Lake. The acclaimed Royal Ballet Sinfonia performs Tchaikovsky’s glorious score live, with designs by Philip Prowse and lighting design by Mark Jonathan. Sir Peter Wright said: “I find it hard to believe that this tour marks the 40th Anniversary of The Sleeping Beauty. This has always been the most opulent of ballets, but Philip Prowse’s incredible design created a unique fairy tale world (with almost 30 fairy character tutus alone!) that allows dancers to really inhabit some of classical ballet’s most famous roles.” Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet Carlos Acosta said “I am thrilled to be reviving Sir Peter Wright’s production of The Sleeping Beauty in the Spring of 2024. The Company is excited to be delighting audiences once more with this definitive version of one of the great classical ballets, welcoming people of all ages to our performances throughout the UK. "I am also honoured that the acclaimed Principal Ballerina, Alina Cojocaru, will be joining the Company for selected performances at London’s Sadler’s Wells, sharing her celebrated interpretation of the role of Princess Aurora." Listings: Southampton Mayflower Theatre 8–10 February 2024 Birmingham Hippodrome 21 February–2 March 2024 The Lowry, Salford 7–9 March 2024 Sunderland Empire 14–16 March 2024 Theatre Royal Plymouth 20–23 March 2024 Bristol Hippodrome 18 - 20 April 2024 Sadler’s Wells, London 24 - 27 April 2024 Choreography: Peter Wright, Lev Ivanov, Marius Petipa Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Production: Peter Wright Designs: Philip Prowse Lighting: Mark Jonathan Notes to Editors: Birmingham Royal Ballet Based at Birmingham Hippodrome, Birmingham Royal Ballet is the United Kingdom’s leading touring ballet company performing a range of traditional, classical and heritage ballets as well as ground-breaking new works with the aim of encouraging choreographers of the future. The Company’s Director since January 2020 is the internationally renowned Carlos Acosta. Birmingham Royal Ballet standardly performs at Birmingham Hippodrome for approximately ten weeks of the year and the remainder of the year tours throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. On average, the Company performs 100 shows a year nationally and internationally. The Royal Ballet Sinfonia The Royal Ballet Sinfonia is Birmingham Royal Ballet’s permanent orchestra, it is also Britain's busiest ballet orchestra. The Sinfonia also plays frequently for The Royal Ballet and other leading ballet companies, including performances withParis Opéra Ballet, New York City Ballet, Australian Ballet, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, the Kirov, Norwegian Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, San Francisco Ballet and La Scala Ballet. Alina Cojocaru Born in Bucharest, Alina trained in Kiev for seven years before joining the Royal Ballet School in 1997. Upon completion of her training, six month later, she returned to Kiev, to join the company as a principal dancer. A year later she joined the Royal Ballet Company (November 1999) and at the end of the season she was promoted to Soloist. On 17 April 2001 Sir Anthony Dowell promoted Alina to the rank of principal dancer after her performance of Giselle. Alina performed as a Leading Principal Dancer with the English National Ballet from 2013 until 2020. She continues to perform as a guest artist with companies worldwide, and is a regular guest with the Hamburg Ballet. Alina has organized Gala's in Romania and in London (Hospice of Hope) over the last few years. In February 2012 Alina premiered her Alina Cojocaru - Dream Project, in Tokyo, Japan, which she directed and staged, while performing along side friends and colleagues from the Tokyo Ballet, Hamburg Ballet, ENB and Royal Ballet. Alina's second Dream Project took place in July 2014 and 3rd in February 2020. In 2015 Alina presented a charity Gala at the Lincoln Center NY. In 2020 she presented her own programme “Alina at the Wells” at the Sadler's Wells Theatre in London. Repertory includes: Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Giselle, Princess Aurora and Princess Florine in Sleeeping Beauty, Julie in Liliom, Marguerite Gautier in Lady of the Camellias, Vera and Natalya in A Month in the Country, Kitri in Don Quixote, Olga and Tatiana in Onegin, Cinderella, The Sugar Plum Fairy and Clara in Nutcracker, Titania in Dream, Titania and Hippolyta in a Midsummer nights dream, Ballerina in Etudes, Nikiya in Bayadere, Diamonds in Jewels, Marguerite in Marguerite and Armand, Symphonic Variations, Mary Vetsera in Mayerling, Manon, La Sylphide, In the Night, Las Hermanas, Swanilda in Coppelia, Nina in Seagull ,Scenes de Ballet, Gong, Masquerade, Polyphonia, Symphony in C, Chloe in Daphnis and Chloe, Lise in Fille Mal Gardee, Student in The Lesson, Duo Concertant, The Leaves Are Fading, Other Dances, Voices of Spring, Beyond Bach, Tombeaux, Ondine, Virtiginous Thrill Of Exatitude, Fest Polonaise, Stars and Stribes, Raymonda act 3, Flames of Paris, Medora in Le Corsaire, Flower Festival, Napoli act 3, Grand Pas Classique, Tjakovski Pas de Deux. Musorgski Waltz, Dances at a Gathering, Dying Swan, Rushes, Two Footnotes, Chroma, Bird as a Prophet, No Man's Land, Sylvie in In the Middle somewhat Elevated, Spring and Fall, Approximate Sonata, Des Knaben Wunderhorn and Mahler 5th and many more. Created Roles includes: Musketeer and Valse (Rubina Alla Davidovna), Swanilda(Anatolyi Shekera's Coppelia), Ad infinities (Vanessa Fenton), There where she loves (Christopher Wheeldon), This House will Burn (Ashley Page), Les Saisons(David Bintley), Two Footnotes, Bird as a Prophet, Rushes(Kim Brandstrup), Engram and Chroma(Wayne McGregor), Les Lutins and La Sylphide (Johan Kobborg), Julie in John Neumeier's Liliom, Laura in John Neumeier’s Glass Menagerie, 24 Preludes (Alexei Ratmansky), Solveig in John Neumeier's Peer Gynt, Giselle in Akram Khan's Giselle, Second Breath (Russell Maliphant) and others. As a Guest Artist: She appears with the Kirov Ballet, Paris Opera, Bolshoi Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Hamburg Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, Hungarian National Ballet, Viena State Opera, Zurich Ballet, National Ballet of Portugal, La Scala, Nacional Ballet Of Cuba, Teatro Colon, National Ballet of Romania, South African Ballet Theater, Kremlin Ballet, Sarasota Ballet, Zagreb Ballet, NBS, The Tokyo Ballet, New National Ballet Company, Zurich Ballet Company. Galas with Hamburg Ballet, La Scala Ballet, National Ballet Of China, Ballet Basel, National Ballet of Latvia, Munich Ballet, Dortmund Ballet, National Ballet of Finland, Morphoses Company, The 10/11/12/13 and 14th World Ballet Festival (Tokyo), Fall for Dance Festival 2016 and 2018 as well as galas in South Korea, Portugal, Italy, Sweden, USA and Denmark. Prizes and awards includes: Critics' Circle Dance Award ( 2002 Best female dancer, 2018 outstanding female classical performance Aurora in Sleeping Beauty , 2017 Giselle in Akram Khan) Dance for You Magazine (2014 Best dancer (Juliet and Giselle / Ch. Neumeier)), Taglioni-European Ballet Award (2014 Best female dancer), German Dance critics award (2012 Dancer of the year), Benois De la Dance (2012 Best female dancer, (Liliom)), "Ballerina of the Decade" Award (Moscow 2010), VIP Romanian music and performing arts Award (2010). The Nijinsky Award (2004 Best female Dancer). Benois De la Dance (2004 Best female dancer, (Giselle)), 1 Internationaler Movimentos Tanz Preis (2004 Best female dancer), Nagoya International Ballet Competition(Gold Medal), Prix De Lausanne (1997 Winner), April 2002 she was given by the president of Romania Ion Iliescu, the medal of Cavaler of Romania (Ordinul national "Pentru Merit"in gradul de cavaler). Video,TV and live relays include: Kennedy Center Awards 2012, Swan Lake, Cinderella, Nutcracker, Onegin, Daphnis and Chloe, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, The South Bank Show, The Dream, Manon, Cinderella, Romeo and Juliet,Mime Matters, Don Quixote and pas de deuxs in various galas.

My priority booking for BRB in Birmingham opened yesterday. I’ve currently got very intermittent internet and decided to wait till I got home this evening. I finally got some coverage on the coach and booked all the tickets I wanted in less than 10 minutes. Mr Bank Manager was absolutely not amused! I did notice a statement during the booking advising that if you were an access member you should log into your account first to see what was available in terms of access requirements. BTW - good discounts for booking more than one show too.

I’ve no idea how ticket sales are going for the Autumn tour but Stratford is already heavily sold. None of us know what is going on behind the scenes to save the orchestra. I feel sad for Federico and David Collins as I am sure they can’t have known the precarious state of the company when they took up their posts just over a year ago.

I just took it to mean that some of those dancers from the last tour may not be available and new dancers would be appearing. New Adventures could have more than one production touring the world. At the moment we have Scissorhands and R&J is in the US.

I’m thrilled Gabriel will be dancing Carabosse!!

Oh Michelle, I’m so sorry and I hope your health starts to improve with the medication. I do hope, if you feel you can, that you keep us updated.

@Pas de Quatre you mentioned that at other performances Carabosse is danced by a man. As far as I am aware, in this production Carabosse has not been danced by a man since the wonderful David Morse retired. Do you have some sort of inkling that Carabosse may be danced by a man in this run? I thought both Chi Cao and James Barton would have been wonderful as Carabosse in comparatively recent times.

Hello @Albus1234 and welcome to the Forum!

Miss Hirata is now Komodo Hirata according to the Telegraph! I can’t wait to read your reports.

Press Release: English National Ballet Emerging Dancer 2024 Sadler’s Wells, London Friday 24 May, 7.30pm www.ballet.org.uk/ emerging-dancer-2024 Celebrating the talent of tomorrow’s stars, English National Ballet’s Emerging Dancer returns to a live audience at Sadler’s Wells, London this year, on Friday 24 May. Emerging Dancer recognises the excellence of English National Ballet’s artists. Selected by their peers, six promising dancers showcase their technical accomplishments and artistry in front of an eminent panel of expert judges, before one is named the winner of the Emerging Dancer Award. The 2024 finalists are: Anna Ciriano Breanna Foad Shunhei Fuchiyama Jose María Lorca Menchón Thiago Pereira Anna-Babette Winkler Aaron S. Watkin, Artistic Director of English National Ballet, said: “I am delighted to see the Company coming together to celebrate some of our most talented colleagues. Emerging Dancer spotlights the future of ballet, and it’s always a privilege to watch the nominees shine on stage. I wish the six finalists the best of luck and I truly hope they enjoy the process of learning and growing”. This year’s event will be hosted by Aaron S. Watkin, Artistic Director of English National Ballet. The esteemed judging panel comprises: Amanda Britton MA, Chief Executive, Principal and Artistic Director of Rambert School; Monica Zamora, Former Principal Dancer of Birmingham Royal Ballet; Freddie Opoku-Addaie, Artistic Director and CEO of Dance Umbrella; and Edward Watson MBE, Former Principal Dancer of The Royal Ballet. The event also includes the presentation of the People’s Choice Award, a public vote decided by audience members throughout the season, and the Corps de Ballet Award, given by the Artistic team to an Artist of the Company who has gone above and beyond, both on stage and off. There will be special performances by previous Emerging Dancer winner Eric Snyder and People’s Choice winner Precious Adams. Emerging Dancer 2024 will be filmed and made available to stream for free on English National Ballet’s YouTube channel in the week following the event, for a limited time only. Notes to Editors English National Ballet is a National Portfolio Organisation supported by Arts Council England. Ballymore is Principal Building Partner of English National Ballet. Listings: English National Ballet Emerging Dancer 2024 Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London Friday 24 May, 7.30pm www.ballet.org.uk /emerging-dancer-2024 Further information about the Emerging Dancer 2024 finalists: Anna-Babette Winkler Anna-Babette Winkler joined English National Ballet as an Artist of the Company in 2018, following training at English National Ballet School, and performing with Birmingham Royal Ballet. Since joining the Company, notable roles include Lead Winter in Christopher Wheeldon’s Cinderella in-the-round at the Royal Albert Hall, Lead Snowflake in Wayne Eagling’s Nutcracker, Moyna in Mary Skeaping’s Giselle, and a featured role in Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s Laid in Earth. Anna Ciriano Anna Ciriano joined the Company in 2022. Anna stared her training at Institut del Teatre in her home city of Barcelona, and after graduating from English National Ballet School in 2017, she performed with Orlando Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet. Since joining English National Ballet Anna has danced Spanish in Wayne Eagling’s Nutcracker and appeared in Akram Khan’s Giselle, Tamara Rojo’s Raymonda and Derek Deane’s Swan Lake. Breanna Foad Breanna Foad joined ENB in 2018, following training at the Australian Ballet School and English National Ballet School. Breanna performed the leading role of Chosen One in Mats Ek’s The Rite of Spring as part of Ek/Forsythe/Quagebeur at Sadler’s Wells in 2022. She went on to dance the role of Chosen One in the world premiere of Andrea Miller’s Les Noces: Ascent to Days, as part of Our Voices at Sadler’s Wells, in September 2023. Jose María Lorca Menchón Jose María Lorca Menchón joined ENB in 2022. He trained at Conservatorio Professional de Danza de Murcia, Spain, and English National Ballet School, where he had the role of the Prince created on him for My First Ballet: Cinderella (2020). Jose’s repertoire with ENB includes Wayne Eagling’s Nutcracker, Tamara Rojo’s Raymonda, and William Forsythe’s Playlist (EP), David Dawson’s Four Last Songs and Stina Quagebeur’s Take Five Blues. Shunhei Fuchiyama Shunhei Fuchiyama started dancing at the age of five, training at the Acri-Horimoto Ballet Academy and The Harid Conservatory, before joining English National Ballet in 2021, the same year that he was awarded with the 5th prize in the Prix de Lausanne, and the 1st prize Classical in NBA National ballet competition. Since joining English National Ballet, Shunhei’s notable roles include Freddie and Cossack in Wayne Eagling’s Nutcracker and peasant pas de deux in Mary Skeaping’s Giselle. Thiago Pereira Thiago Pereira, from Minas Gerais, Brazil, joined English National Ballet as Artist of the Company in 2022, following his training in Vórtice escola de danças and Académie de danse Princesse Grace. Since joining the Company, Thiago has appeared in Akram Khan’s Giselle, Tamara Rojo’s Raymonda, Derek Dean’s Swan Lake, and Balanchine’s Theme and Variations as part of Our Voices at Sadler’s Wells in 2023. About English National Ballet English National Ballet has a long and distinguished history. Founded in 1950 as London Festival Ballet by the great English dancers Alicia Markova and Anton Dolin, it has been at the forefront of ballet’s growth and evolution ever since. English National Ballet brings world class ballet to the widest possible audience through performances across the UK and on eminent international stages; its distinguished orchestra, English National Ballet Philharmonic; its digital platforms Ballet on Demand and BalletActive; being a UK leader in creative learning and engagement practice, building innovative partnerships to deliver flagship programmes such as Dance for Parkinson’s; and through talent development initiatives including Ballet Futures which looks to create a more diverse and inclusive future for the artform. English National Ballet continues to add ground-breaking new works to its repertoire whilst celebrating the tradition of great classical ballet, gaining acclaim for artistic excellence and creativity. 2019 saw the Company enter a new chapter in its history with a move to a purpose-built state-of-the-art home in east London, allowing a renewed commitment to creativity, ambition, and connection to more people, near and far, than ever before.

English National Ballet Swan Lake in-the-round Royal Albert Hall Wednesday 12 – Sunday 23 June 2024 ballet.org.uk/swan-lake-round “When the swans make their first entrance, wave after wave of them, it’s awesome. To see them move and breathe as one is profoundly touching.” The Observer English National Ballet performs Derek Deane’s Swan Lake in-the-round at the Royal Albert Hall, London, from Wednesday 12 – Sunday 23 June 2024. With over 100 performers, including 60 dancing swans, Swan Lake in-the-round is one of the biggest spectacles in ballet and brings the classic love story to life on one of the world’s most famous stages. Featuring Tchaikovsky’s glorious score, performed live by English National Ballet Philharmonic, this epic in-the-round staging of Swan Lake is perfect for both dedicated fans and first-time ballet goers. Swan Lake in-the-round caused a sensation at its premiere in 1997 and has since been enjoyed by over half a million people worldwide. Opening night sees Lead Principal Sangeun Lee and First Soloist Gareth Haw perform in the dual role of Odette/ Odile and Prince Siegfried respectively. Having only joined English National Ballet in 2023, this marks their debut performances both in these roles and on the grand stage of the Royal Albert Hall. Lead Principal Emma Hawes also makes her debut in the role of Odette/Odile whilst Lead Principals Aitor Arrieta and Francesco Gabriele Frola, and Soloist Lorenzo Trossello debut as Prince Siegfried. Laurretta Summerscales, former Principal dancer with English National Ballet and current Principal dancer with Bavarian State Ballet returns as a Guest Artist to perform as Odette/Odile. Principal Casting: Odette-Odile / Prince Siegfried / Rothbart Sangeun Lee* / Gareth Haw* / James Streeter 12th June 19:30,15th June 19:30,18th June 19:30 Fernanda Oliveira / Francesco Gabriele Frola* / Fabian Reimair 13th June 19:30, 15th June 14:30, 20th June 19:30 Emma Hawes* / Aitor Arrieta* / Junor Souza 14th June 19:30, 16th June 14:30, 22nd June 19:30 Laurretta Summerscales** / Lorenzo Trossello* / James Streeter 19th June 19:30, 21st June 19:30, 23rd June 14:30 To be announced 20th June 14:30, 22nd June 14:30 *Debut **Guest Artist Please note, casting is subject to change. Please see www.ballet.org.uk for up-to-date casting. Notes to Editors English National Ballet is a National Portfolio Organisation supported by Arts Council England. Ballymore is Principal Building Partner of English National Ballet. Listings: English National Ballet Swan Lake in-the-round Royal Albert Hall 12 – 23 June 2024 https://www.ballet.org.uk/swan-lake-round About English National Ballet English National Ballet has a long and distinguished history. Founded in 1950 as London Festival Ballet by the great English dancers Alicia Markova and Anton Dolin, it has been at the forefront of ballet’s growth and evolution ever since. English National Ballet brings world class ballet to the widest possible audience through performances across the UK and on eminent international stages; its distinguished orchestra, English National Ballet Philharmonic; its digital platforms Ballet on Demand and BalletActive; being a UK leader in creative learning and engagement practice, building innovative partnerships to deliver flagship programmes such as Dance for Parkinson’s; and through talent development initiatives including Ballet Futures which looks to create a more diverse and inclusive future for the artform. English National Ballet continues to add ground-breaking new works to its repertoire whilst celebrating the tradition of great classical ballet, gaining acclaim for artistic excellence and creativity. 2019 saw the Company enter a new chapter in its history with a move to a purpose-built state-of-the-art home in east London, allowing a renewed commitment to creativity, ambition, and connection to more people, near and far, than ever before. About the Royal Albert Hall The Royal Albert Hall is the world’s most famous stage. Throughout its 152-year history, it has welcomed a who’s who of world-renowned figures: artists, athletes and activists. No other place on earth has played host to Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein and Muhammad Ali; Ella Fitzgerald, The Beatles and Adele. This was the Suffragettes’ “temple of liberty” – the site of Votes for Women rallies that helped change the course of British history – the home of the Stonewall concerts, and a place of celebration during Nelson Mandela’s state visit. But its eccentric history has also seen it used for a séance, an indoor marathon and the world’s first bodybuilding contest (judged by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle). In an ordinary year, the Hall’s extraordinary auditorium presents around 400 world-class events: encompassing rock, pop and classical music, theatre, dance, films, Cirque du Soleil and sport. It typically welcomes 1.8 million visitors a year, while its 1,000 events in secondary spaces help to attract a young, diverse audience. Its Engagement programme includes music therapy, concerts in the community, and workshops with A-list artists, often in collaboration with other charities, such as Nordoff Robbins and Music for Youth.

Hello @DanceMadDanceMum and welcome to the Forum!

An obituary from his family: https://gordoncemerickfuneralhome.com/tribute/details/2163/Eric-Taub/obituary.html?fbclid=IwAR3ItgYq9pvCv6Q_jFeJlCkdQV5CYSZrFVjVUuc6ZVxzkLxekTPj6Y2tVMg#tribute-start

If anyone has access to the printed copy of the Telegraph a friend has just sent me a photograph of the picture of Ms Hirata as Aurora. She seems to have changed her first name! I'll let people guess for a while...

Links - Friday 09 February, 2024 Review - New York City Ballet, Polyphonia, Barber Violin Concerto, The Times are Racing, New York: Leigh Witchel, dancelog.nyc Review - New York City Ballet, Four Temperaments, Liebeslieder Walzer, New York: Ivy Lin, Bachtrack Reviews - Empower in Motion Gala, London: Matthew Paluch, Broadway World Nancy Brie, West End Best Friend Reviews - Scottish Ballet, Cinders!, Newcastle: Jonathan Cash, Reviews Hub Dora Frankel, British Theatre Guide Review - Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Programme A, Washington: Emily Berger, Broadway World Review - Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, Edward Scissorhands, Birmingham: David Mead, Seeing Dance Review - Philadanco, Intangible! (Quad bill), New York: Brian Seibert, NY Times Physical Theatre Review - Frantic Assembly, Metamorphosis, London: Vera Liber, British Theatre Guide Preview Feature - Naishi Wang & Jean Abreu, Deciphers, Toronto: Michael Crabb, Toronto Star Documentary Preview - George Lee: Ten Times Better: Staff, CBS News Preview - Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami, Giselle, Miami: Staff, Miami New Times Feature - Why the toxic ballet world is resistant to change: Charlotte Lytton, Telegraph (paywalled) Feature - Yuan Yuan Tan, SF Ballet, looks beyond her final company bow: Rachel Howard, SF Chronicle Photo Essay - Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theater, The Jungle Book: John Posada, New Jersey Stage Feature - Wonderbound, ballet company based in Denver: Kirsten Dahl Collins, Colorado Community Feature - Rarely seen portraits of Rudolf Nureyev: Colin Jones & Miss Rosen, AnOther Magazine Feature - To attend dance class, Black Dancers must first learn to occupy white spaces: A Rochaun Meadows-Fernandez, Parents Feature - Prisca Zeisel - from Germany to Russia: Jack Devant, Gramilano

Hello @hardings3 and welcome to the Forum!

Hello @MTMUM and welcome to the Forum!

Hello @Traineedancemum and welcome to the Forum!

The latest statement from the Musicians' Union: https://musiciansunion.org.uk/news/mu-rejects-use-of-recorded-music-to-replace-live-orchestra-at-northern-ballet

Hello @jenalexandra78 and welcome to the Forum!

Hello @ballerinaswan and welcome to the Forum!

Links - Thursday 08 February, 2024 Tribute - Hinton Battle, Broadway star: André De Shields and Chris Wiegand, Guardian Review - New York City Ballet, Fancy Free, In the Night, The Four Seasons, New York: Leigh Witchel, dancelog.nyc Reviews - Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, Edward Scissorhands, Birmingham: Alison Norton, Express and Star Lina Jha & Megan Hughes, Redbrick Review - Hungarian National Ballet, Dancetriptych (triple bill to Bartók), Budapest: Gianmarco Segato, Bachtrack Review - Kodo Drummers, Warabe, London: Ian Gittins, FT Gallery - Royal Ballet, Dark with Excessive Bright, London: Tristram Kenton, Guardian Preview - Miami City Ballet, Winter Mix (mixed programme), Miami: Staff, Miami New Times Preview - Pacific Northwest Ballet, Swan Lake, Spokane: Ed Honduran, Spokesman-Review Preview - National Ballet of Ukraine, Nadiya Ukraine, Calgary: Eric Volmer’s, Calgary Herald Preview - Colorado Ballet, Jekyll and Hyde (Caniparoli), Denver: Eden Lane: CPR News Preview - Celebrity Ballet Gala, Limassol: Eleni Philippou, Cyprus Mail Preview - Extended Play, How to build a universe, London: Teresa Guerreiro, Culture Whisper Preview - Ballet Kelowna, double bill of 2 world premieres, Kelowna: Madison Reeve, Castanet Preview - Ballet Edmonton and more, Edmonton: Angela Johnson, Edmonton Journal Feature - Edwaard Liang, AD Washington Ballet: Robert Bettmann, Washingtonian Feature - Tiler Peck opens up about her choreographic debut at NYCB: Caedra Scott-Flaherty, NY Observer Feature - Joe Powell-Main, wheelchair dancer: Stefan Kyriazis, Express News - Northern Ballet replaces live orchestra with recorded music in upcoming shows: Siena Linton, Classic FM News - The latest from Queensland Ballet: Olivia Stewart, In Queensland

Hello @Zoe84 and welcome to the Forum!

Yes - I once got caught out ringing it from a Vodafone mobile and got an extra £10+ added to my bill!

Part of an email from BRB: César Morales's final performances César Morales will leave BRB at the end of this month to take up his new role as Artistic Director of Ballet de Santiago in Chile. We can now confirm that his last performances will be in Birmingham at the matinee on Thursday 22 February (partnering Beatrice Parma in her debut as Aurora) and on the evening of Wednesday 28 February (partnering Miki Mizutani). César's Thursday 22 February performance was briefly advertised as being the evening show; if you purchased tickets for the evening show after 30 January (when the casting was changed), intending to say farewell to César, we would be happy to move your booking to 28 February. Dancers' Circle supporters can contact Georgia or Helen to help move their seats; other bookers should ring the box office on 0844 338 5000* from 11am tomorrow, Thursday 8 February.