Jan McNulty

Congratulations to all the promotees and best wishes to all the leavers. I do think the company may have done more of a valedictory statement for Jane Howarth after her long years of service. I will particularly miss James Forbat whose Albrecht in Liverpool I will never forget.

English National Ballet Autumn 2020 Announcement English National Ballet to launch dedicated ENB at Home video-on-demand platform Emerging Dancer will be streamed live from ENB’s own production studio at London City Island A digital season of works for camera in development for Autumn 2020 Nine new commissions UK premieres of Tamara Rojo’s Raymonda and Creature by Akram Khan postponed Announcement of promotions within the Company and thanks given to those leaving Photo caption: The Emerging Dancer 2020 finalists (c) Photography by Laurent Liotardo, post production by Nik Pate English National Ballet today announces its revised plans for Autumn 2020, as the Company’s previously scheduled performances have been cancelled due to the continuing impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic. An exciting new digital season of short works for camera from choreographers including Russell Maliphant, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Yuri Possokhov, Arielle Smith and ENB Associate Choreographer Stina Quagebeur will be created, rehearsed, and performed by Company dancers in English National Ballet’s studios within COVID secure guidelines. This marks the first time Cherkaoui and Smith have created work for ENB’s main Company, and the first time Possokhov has created work for a UK Company. Shown in a series of mixed bills, these new works will be available to rent via ENB at Home, a new video-on-demand service from English National Ballet. ENB’s digital season is currently in rehearsal and will premiere in November and December 2020. Tamara Rojo, Artistic Director of English National Ballet said: “It is testament to the talent of our dancers and the spirit and reputation of our Company that we have such incredible choreographers working with us on our digital season. I’m thrilled that not only will we have new pieces by renowned choreographers to share with our audiences, but that even in these challenging times we are also continuing to support young talent too. I can’t wait to see what they create.” Following the cancellation of performances at Southbank Centre, English National Ballet will now perform and stream its 11th annual Emerging Dancer competition from its own production studio at London City Island. Celebrating the bright future of ballet and the excellence of the Company’s Artists, Emerging Dancer will see this year’s finalists Ivana Bueno, Carolyne Galvao, Miguel Angel Maidana, Victor Prigent, Emily Suzuki and William Yamada perform a classical pas de deux followed by contemporary pieces choreographed by ENB Lead Principal Jeffrey Cirio, ENB Associate Choreographer Stina Quagebeur and Mthuthuzeli November. We will also see performances by last year’s winners Julia Conway and Rhys Antoni Yeomans who will be dancing a new creation by Arielle Smith. Emerging Dancer is produced by First Soloist James Streeter as part of ENB’s new dancer development programme, Dance Leaders of the Future. The Emerging Dancer finalists are now back in the studio, being mentored by their peers and preparing to perform in front of a panel of eminent judges including Edward Watson, Kerry Nicholls and Kenneth Tindall, on 22 September. Audiences around the world will be able to pay to watch this live streamed event for a fee of £5 and for the first time, will also be invited to cast their own votes by text and select a People’s Choice winner. In all, English National Ballet will present nine new commissions this Autumn Season. The new ENB at Home on demand platform will not only host filmed performances of new works and events, but will also be a home for additional high-quality on-demand ballet content beyond the stage, such as performances including Le Corsaire and Akram Khan’s Giselle, both of which were recorded specifically for screen, and selections from the archives following the success of English National Ballet’s recent Wednesday Watch Parties. Building on the popular series of classes which ENB made available online during lockdown, the ENB at Home platform will continue to give people the opportunity to actively engage with ballet-based exercise from home with a subscription-based class programme. Opting for either a monthly or annual subscription, users will gain access to over 100 hours of material including ballet classes, yoga, and fitness sessions. The launch date for the ENB at Home digital platform will be announced shortly. English National Ballet’s planned UK premieres this Autumn of Creature by Akram Khan and the Company’s new version of Raymonda, choreographed by Tamara Rojo after Marius Petipa, have been postponed owing to the closure of venues, and the difficulty in achieving the original timeline for the creation of these two new large-scale ballets under lockdown. Creature will now have its premiere in September 2021 at Sadler’s Wells, whilst Raymonda’s premiere date is to be announced. Plans for English National Ballet’s Winter Season 2020/2021 will be confirmed in due course. With changes in government guidance related to the COVID-19 pandemic now allowing indoor performances with socially distanced audiences, English National Ballet is exploring options with partner venues. Tamara Rojo commented: “Our artform is vital to the millions of people whose lives are enriched by the performing arts. No matter how difficult the situation, I truly believe ballet can bring people together and be a part of the solution to this crisis. Whilst it is with great sadness that we have had to delay some of our planned Season, I’m so pleased that through our new digital season and ENB at Home service we have found a way to continue to create, challenge, and inspire our audiences and, we hope, go some way in boosting the morale of the country.” Patrick Harrison, Executive Director of English National Ballet continued: “Like so many of our colleagues around the country, we have experienced a devastating effect of the coronavirus crisis on our operations, losing over two-thirds of our income. The continued closure of the theatres in which we perform, cancellations of national and international tours and the ongoing uncertainty about when we may be able to return to full performance or vital commercial activity means we have to scale back our organisation to protect it for the longer term. We continue to create where we can and are investing in the areas which will be key to the post-crisis recovery. We have furloughed over 85% of our colleagues through the UK Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and have introduced pay restraint across the organisation, whilst protecting the salaries of lower earners. I want to sincerely thank everyone in the organisation for their ongoing dedication and the sacrifices they are making during this time. ENB was successful in its application for a grant from the Arts Council of England’s Emergency Fund, which secures our survival through September. Despite this and in the face of continued uncertainty, we must reduce the scale of our activity and organisation in order to see our way through the current crisis.” English National Ballet also today announces promotions and changes within the Company. Our 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 seasons have been greatly affected by the unexpected advent of the global pandemic. Our repertoire has been reduced, and our costs must be reduced as well. The Company are delighted to acknowledge members of the company with promotions this year, but sadly say goodbye to others who following discussions have chosen to leave English National Ballet to pursue other projects. Francisco Bosch, 8th Year Artist, after 17 years with the Company Fernando Bufala, First Soloist, after 7 years with the Company Barry Drummond, First Artist, after 10 years with the Company Shevelle Dynott, 8th Year Artist, after 15 years with the Company James Forbat, First Soloist, after 15 years with the Company Daniel Kraus, Junior Soloist, after 16 years and 11 months with the Company Adela Ramirez, First Soloist, after 22 years with the Company Maria Jose Sales, 8th Year Artist, after 6 years with the Company Jia Zhang, First Artist, after 11 years with the Company Earlier this year, ENB also said goodbye to First Soloist Crystal Costa and 8th Year Artist Joshua McSherry-Gray after 12 and 11 years with the company respectively. Jane Haworth, who joined us as a dancer in 1983 and then became Character Artist and Artistic Coordinator, retired in June. Artist of the Company Maeve Nolan also leaves at the end of the current Season. Tamara Rojo said: “I want to offer heartfelt thanks to these dancers for their contribution and dedication to the Company. Their talent and artistry will be missed by all, colleagues and audiences alike. I wish them all the best for the future.” Lead Principal Jurgita Dronina, who previously split her time between ENB and National Ballet of Canada, will not return to ENB next Season. Jurgita will continue to dance in Canada. Tamara Rojo notes that “we certainly hope to work with Jurgita again in the future.” Jurgita Dronina said: “During my time with English National Ballet, I have shared some of my best performances, and been able to witness and be part of the historical change and accomplishments the Company has achieved so far. I wish English National Ballet the best possible future in these difficult times, and I am looking forward to hopefully finding a different way to continue my association with the Company when times are more certain.” ENB also announces the following promotions which have been made within the Company: Gabriele Francesco Frola has been promoted to Lead Principal. Daniel McCormick has been promoted to Soloist. Precious Adams, Julia Conway, Anjuli Hudson and Erik Woolhouse have been promoted to Junior Soloist. Emily Suzuki has been promoted to 8th Year Artist of the Company. Matthew Astley, Noam Durand, Rhys Antoni Yeomans, Victor Prigent and Miguel Angel Maidana have been promoted to 6th Year Artist of the Company. Carolyne Galvao and Rentaro Nakaaki have been promoted to 5th Year Artist of the Company. Tamara Rojo said: "Congratulations to all of our promoted dancers, this recognition is well-deserved and I’m looking forward to seeing them all continue to develop and flourish in the Seasons to come.” -ENDS- Notes to Editors English National Ballet is a National Portfolio Organisation supported by Arts Council England. The following English National Ballet performances have been cancelled this Autumn due to the impact of COVID-19. Ticket buyers will be contacted by the relevant box offices. Emerging Dancer 2020 – Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre (22 Sept 2020). Replaced by live stream. Creature by Akram Khan – Sadler’s Wells, London (11-14 Nov 2020); Bristol Hippodrome (18-21 Nov 2020). Raymonda - Palace Theatre, Manchester (15-17 Oct 2020); Mayflower Theatre, Southampton (21-24 Oct 2020); Milton Keynes Theatre (28-31 Oct 2020) Amended listings for English National Ballet’s Autumn 2020 Season: Emerging Dancer 7pm, 22 September 2020 www.ballet.org.uk/emerging Details remain subject to change. For the latest information, please visit www.ballet.org.uk 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 including The Bolshoi Theatre and Palais Garnier; its distinguished orchestra, English National Ballet Philharmonic; and being a UK leader in creative learning and engagement practice, building innovative partnerships to deliver flagship programmes such as English National Ballet's Dance for Parkinson's. Under the artistic directorship of Tamara Rojo CBE, English National Ballet has introduced ground-breaking new works to the Company's repertoire whilst continuing to honour the tradition of great classical ballet, gaining acclaim for artistic excellence and creativity. 2019 saw English National Ballet enter a new chapter in its history with a move into a purpose-built state-of-the-art home in East London which brings a renewed commitment to, and freedom for, creativity, ambition, and connection to more people, near and far, than ever before. www.ballet.org.uk About Arts Council England Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people's lives. We support a range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries - from theatre to visual art, reading to dance, music to literature, and crafts to collections. Great art and culture inspires us, brings us together and teaches us about ourselves and the world around us. In short, it makes life better. Between 2018 and 2022, we will invest £1.45 billion of public money from government and an estimated £860 million from the National Lottery to help create these experiences for as many people as possible across the country. www.artscouncil.org.uk About NatWest, Principal Partner of English National Ballet NatWest serves customers in England and Wales, supporting them with their personal, private, and business banking needs. NatWest helps customers at all stages in their lives, from opening student accounts, to buying their first home, setting up a business, and saving for retirement. Alongside a wide range of banking services, NatWest offers businesses specialist sector knowledge in areas such as manufacturing and technology, as well as access to specialist entrepreneurial support.

I could see Mathias as Cyrano. It would not be unprecedented to see him in both roles (Iain Mackay danced both). I don't know about you TP but I would see Brandon as Christian and Tyrone in both roles. I could also see Lachlan and Max as Cyrano (with Max a possible Cyrano too). I couldn't choose my Roxannes with such a wealth of talent but probably Celine as my first choice.

Hello Derin's Mom and welcome back! We've had a very recent thread that may be of use. Here's the Modibodi UK website: https://www.modibodi.co.uk/pages/period-underwear/ When I googled just a quick search also brought up equivalent sites for America and Australia so there may well be other.

Absolutely Capybara! Me too! I think with Pennsylvania Ballet's streamings a couple of the productions must be owned by the company or Angel Corella and these still seem to be available to view if you have the password. The others were only available for the stated time. But even that is better than nothing. BRB have just released a clip of Carl Davies talking about his score for Cyrano with a couple of excerpts that look as though they may be from a performance filmed for archive. I know these films were not done for public consumption but if they are of a reasonable standard (the Stuttgart streamings spring to mind) why could they not be streamed in full, even if behind a paywall? I would very nearly kill to see Cyrano again. (Having said that I would very nearly kill to see it back in the rep - I could think of a couple of Cyranos I would like to see from within the current roster...).

A friend who lost her holiday to Botswana (BA flight booked separately from Safari) booked her seats online separately from the flight booking and, although the flight was cancelled, BA have refused point blank to refund her seat booking fee because she did that herself rather than through the tour company who booked her flight! I think we have all had different experiences of customer service during lock down. And we are still in lockdown, albeit a lighter version of what was put in place in March.

That's something I've always wondered too. Someone once said to me that it depends on how the contract for the commission is written (which would make sense) and the contract may include things like the expected number of performances the work is licensed for. Then there may be the complication of other companies wanting to take in the work ... would the "owning" company be responsible for mounting it or the choreographer. Then again, if the company owns the work would they be able to make changes to it? Would the choreographer want his name taken off it (as you sometimes see with films if there is a dispute). It's a minefield.

Links - Saturday 29 August, 2020 Obituary - Istvan Rabovsky, dancer: Telegraph Feature - For David Hallberg, a swan song in pictures: Roslyn Sulcas, NY Times Streaming Reviews - Birmingham Royal Ballet, Cinderella: John O’Dwyer, Seen and Heard International Robert Tanitch, British Theatre Guide Vikki Jane Vile, Broadway World Video Feature - Francisco Estevez, Colorado Ballet, overcomes cancer: News Desk, Broadway World Streaming Review - Jeremy McQueen/The Black Iris Project, The Storm: Sydney Clarke, Ebony Streaming Feature - Cape Town City Ballet dancers bring sculpture gallery to life: Chelsea Geach, Independent South Africa

SEPTEMBER 2020 LATE ADMISSIONS OPPORTUNITY AT ELMHURST BALLET SCHOOL Photo credit: Andy Ross Traditionally at the start of a new academic year, Elmhurst Ballet School welcomes the next cohort of students through its Birmingham doors. Many young dancers hail from across the UK and overseas and take up a coveted place in Elmhurst’s Lower or Upper School. This year as Covid-19 continues to create uncertainty across the world, a small number of students are sadly unable to commit to their course, especially international students whose country’s travel restrictions have halted the young dancers’ plans. Therefore, the vocational ballet school with a close association to Birmingham Royal Ballet, is inviting late applications for admission to its Upper School offering a three-year programme working towards a Level 6 Diploma in Professional Dance, validated by Trinity College London. The third and final year of training culminates in being part of and performing as Elmhurst Ballet Company. Elmhurst Ballet School is a world-renowned centre of excellence and one of the Department for Education’s specialist music and dance schools. Preparing talented young dancers aged between 11 and 19 to become the thinking dance professionals of the future, the school nurtures individuality through a holistic approach to its dance training, academics and pioneering health & wellbeing offer. Elmhurst students become independent, collaborative and versatile dance artists, performance-ready to take to the world stage. Albeit a very different graduating year for the school’s Class of 2020, offers have still come in from State Opera Rousse Ballet in Bulgaria, Teatrul de Balet Sibiu in Romania, Ballet Cymru in Wales, and Arts Ballet Theatre in Florida, USA. Throughout the three years of Upper School training, students perfect their dance skills and enjoy diverse and challenging opportunities in daily ballet class, contemporary dance technique, jazz, flamenco and choreography classes, all delivered by an expert in-house dance team and guest artists from Birmingham Royal Ballet, Studio Wayne McGregor, Rambert, and New Adventures, Sir Matthew Bourne’s multi-award winning company. Professional Dance Studies, a module of the diploma, is designed to help students prepare for professional life. Upon successful completion of the course, there is the option to ‘top up’ the diploma with a one-year distance-learning BA Hons degree through Middlesex University. Young dancers interested in this Upper School training opportunity should send recent digital footage of themselves dancing (so there is no pressure to record something new) to Rachal Torrance, Registrar of Elmhurst Ballet School via rachaltorrance@elmhurstdance.co.uk. Along with the footage, applicants should also provide their full name, date of birth, home address, parent/s name/s, parental email address, current dance school, number of years dancing, and information about any injuries that could help shape their Elmhurst dance training. Dance & Drama Awards, funding for students, is available for the Upper School course and helps towards fees and living costs. Although the new academic year begins on Monday 7 September, successful applicants can start slightly later if they wish, giving students more time to prepare. From this September, Elmhurst has planned a safe and full return to dance and academics by incorporating a range of initiatives into its daily timetable that will support students in their physical and mental health and wellbeing as they adjust to life back at school, post the extended period in lockdown. -ENDS-

Oh dear, I just thought you'd been on the pop for the afternoon!! I'll mention to our Administrator that you still haven't got your button back.

Hello Colman, has your edit button reappeared? A couple of people had the same issue and they seem to be OK now.

Hello Lily and welcome out of the lurking shadows!

This live-ballet-starved fan can't wait to hear all about this event!

Links - Friday 28 August, 2020 News Feature - ITV recap on their investigation into Ballet West Scotland: Peter Smith, ITV School Feature - David Hallberg on growing into the role of Albrecht: Marina Harss, Pointe Magazine Streaming Review - Birmingham Royal Ballet, Cinderella: Lyndsey Winship, Guardian Streaming Preview - Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, No Longer Silent: Dan Meyer, Playbill Video Feature - Inside Africa - Nairobi’s uplifting ballet school: CNN

Hello Bookish and welcome to the Forum!

Links - Thursday 27 August, 2020 Gallery - Edward Watson, Royal Ballet: Tristram Kenton, Guardian News - Sadler's Wells extends job cuts to 222 casual staff: Georgia Snow, Stage Film Preview - Jonzi D, Our Bodies Back: Lyndsey Winship, Guardian News - Rosie Kay returns to Birmingham stage with world premiere: Staff, I am Birmingham Streaming Review - David Mead, Seeing Dance Lenka Vagnerová & Company, Amazones VerTeDance, Correction Matsena Performance Theatre, Are you numb yet? Streaming Review - Nancy Karp + Dancers, piano piano: Rita Felciano, Danceview Times

I've hidden the duplicate post.

Links - Wednesday 26 August, 2020 Obituary - Istvan Rabovsky, dancer: Anna Kisselgoff, NY Times Interview - Choreographers Daniel de Andrade (NB), Gary Clarke & Jordan James Bridge (Studio Wayne McGregor): Catherine Sedgwick, The Upcoming News - Royal Opera House to stream fundraiser live from Covent Garden: Simon Smith, Rhinegold Streaming Feature - Australian Ballet’s Benedicte Benet, Capriccio: Jill Sykes, The Age Interview - Rulan Tangen, AD Dancing Earth: Tovah Strong, High Country News Preview Feature - The Playground NZ, Ecology in Fifths, Wellington: Kate Green, Stuff Feature - Jonathan Homsey, choreographer: Catherine Lambert, The Age Film Review - Daniel Belton, Astrolabe-Whakaterenga: Francesca Horsley, NZ Theatreview

Thanks for reminding me Janite - I'd completely forgotten all about it!

So far as I can see one performance has been announced for opera and one for ballet. If, as people have implied, there may be crowd control (in the nicest possible sense) and other issues with opening the ROH up to audiences at the moment perhaps they could consider an alternative theatre for future broadcasts. Andrew Lloyd Webber used his Palladium Theatre for a live performance trial so maybe that would be feasible... (BRB also have a home theatre in their home town.)

Silly question but would the performance have to take place at the Royal Opera House? After all Birmingham Royal Ballet are performing at an alternative theatre in Birmingham.

Hello Drballet, By ROI do you mean Republic of Ireland? (We use so many TLAs in Doing Dance that I get confused!)? If so, I don't know if this thread will be any help? Where on the mainland could you reasonably travel to? This may assist responders to your query.

You're welcome. I think it must be hard to get reviews of a school that is so new.

If you are looking for a school in Scotland there is also the Royal Conservatoire, based in Glasgow: https://www.rcs.ac.uk/courses/ba-modern-ballet/

Here's a thread from this year: