Jan McNulty

Not that I have anything to do with the dance world other than as a watcher of performances, your thoughts seem good to me. A couple of adult friends who have gone back to swimming and pilates are already togged up before they go and then just dry off and get home as quickly as possible.

I've just seen on Facebook that Birmingham Royal Ballet has cancelled the outdoor event planned to take place in Bourneville next Monday or Tuesday. It's sad but sensible under the circumstances. "In light of Birmingham City Council's serious concerns regarding the rise in Covid-19 cases, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Rowheath Pavilion and Sampad Arts have decided to postpone the outdoor dance display due to take place next week. We are very disappointed but feel this is the responsible action to take at this current time."

I've just checked the Birmingham Rep website and all 4 BRB performances are showing as SOLD OUT!!! It shows how desperate we all are to see a live performance again and must be a real boost for the company.

Scottish Ballet has rescheduled The Nutcracker to next winter: https://www.scottishballet.co.uk/articles/rescheduling-of-our-2020-season?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Rescheduling_Article

I asked on twitter about the Sadler's Wells dates and BRB have responded to say that details about Sadler's Wells will be issued soon. I assume the dates may be different as SW has already stated they are closed until next year.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MATTHEW BOURNE’S THE RED SHOES CINEMA RELEASE RESCHEDULED FOR 30 SEPTEMBER 2020 Running time 97 mins / BBFC Cert U / In cinemas nationwide from 30 September, 2020 More2Screen is pleased to confirm that the postponed cinema release of Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes has been rescheduled. The double Olivier award-winning dance adaptation of the legendary film will be screened in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from 30 September 2020. Tickets are going on sale now at TheRedShoesCinema.com ‘Utterly enthralling’ ★★★★★ Daily Express ‘Bourne’s supremacy is assured with a gorgeous take on a film classic’ ★★★★ The Times ‘Matthew Bourne’s finest achievement to date’ ★★★★★ The Stage Matthew Bourne said today “New Adventures may not be able to perform on stage this year, but I’m thrilled that the UK will be able to experience the magic of our award-winning production of The Red Shoes on the big screen. This show was in many ways a love letter to a life in the theatre for me and it seems particularly apt to be able to share it with you at this time. We are extremely proud of this film, which captures the excitement of live performance so powerfully and we trust it will bring a much-needed escape for our loyal audiences countrywide.” The Red Shoes is a tale of obsession, possession and one girl's dream to be the greatest dancer in the world. Victoria Page lives to dance but her ambitions become a battleground between the two men who inspire her passion. Set to the achingly romantic music of golden-age Hollywood composer Bernard Herrmann, The Red Shoes is orchestrated by Terry Davies, with cinematic designs by Lez Brotherston, lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Paul Groothuis and projection design by Duncan McLean. Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes was filmed live at Sadler’s Wells in London and is the seventh New Adventures production to be filmed in partnership with More2Screen and distributed to cinemas worldwide. World-famous dancer, actor and choreographer, Adam Cooper, returns to New Adventures after more than 20 years to play the iconic role of Svengali-like Impresario ‘Boris Lermontov’. One of New Adventures much-loved stars, Ashley Shaw, reprises her award-winning role of ‘Victoria Page’ having first created it for the 2016 World Premiere Season. Acclaimed New Adventures performer Dominic North dances the role of struggling composer ‘Julian Craster’, with whom Victoria falls in love. The filmed cast also includes other celebrated New Adventures dancers: Michela Meazza as the Prima Ballerina of Ballet Lermontov ‘Irina Boronskaya’, Liam Mower as Premier Danseur ‘Ivan Boleslawsky’ and Glenn Graham as the Ballet Master ‘Grischa Ljubov’. Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes is directed for the screen by Ross MacGibbon and produced by Illuminations. It is being screened in cinemas worldwide by More2Screen, a leading Event Cinema distributor based in London. For more information visit: TheRedShoesCinema.com #TheRedShoesCinema CREDITS Based on the film by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger and the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale Music by Bernard Herrmann Orchestrations by Terry Davies Cast BORIS LERMONTOV, Ballet Impresario: Adam Cooper VICTORIA PAGE, A Rising Star: Ashley Shaw JULIAN CRASTER, A Struggling Composer: Dominic North The Ballet Lermontov IRINA BORONSKAYA, Prima Ballerina: Michela Meazza IVAN BOLESLAWSKY, Premier Danseur: Liam Mower GRISCHA LJUBOV, Ballet Master, Choreographer and Character Artist: Glenn Graham NADIA – Rose Goddard SVETLANA – Bryony Harrison BERYL – Stephanie Billers PAMELA – Kate Lyons MIKHAIL –Danny Reubens ANTON – Harrison Dowzell SERGE – Jackson Fisch FREDERIC – Joao Carolino LADY NESTON (Victoria’s Aunt), JOYCE (Auditionee), EDITH (Costume Designer) – Daisy May Kemp SERGEI RATOV (Scenic Designer) – Reece Causton DIMITRI (Lermontov Secretary & Company Manager) – Ben Brown MUSIC HALL PERFORMERS, LADY NESTON’s GUESTS and other characters played by members of the Company Production Directed & Choreographed by Matthew Bourne Set & Costume Design by Lez Brotherston Lighting Design by Paule Constable Sound Design by Paul Groothuis Projection Design by Duncan McLean NOTES TO EDITORS About Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures New Adventures is proud to be a truly national dance-theatre touring company and is one of Britain’s leading exporters of dance internationally. Over the past 30 years New Adventures has transformed the popularity of dance in Britain, creating works that have altered the public perception of what is possible when it comes to telling stories without words. New Adventures has received numerous international awards and an incredible 12 Olivier Award nominations resulting in 6 wins. Over the past 30 years New Adventures has created 12 full-length productions and a mixed-bill of shorter works. This award-winning repertoire has inspired and thrilled millions of people worldwide. New Adventures is passionate about diversifying the dance landscape and investing in the future of dance, through delivering inclusive projects for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, and developing and inspiring emerging artists. https://new-adventures.net/ About More2Screen More2Screen is a leading distributor of Event Cinema with an unparalleled reputation among its blue-chip partners for professionalism, responsiveness and the delivery of great cinema events to audiences around the world. Founded in 2006 by CEO Christine Costello, it has been a global pioneer in the harnessing of digital technology to bring the very best in live music, performance arts and cultural entertainment to local cinema audiences. In collaboration with its stellar list of long-standing content partners, More2Screen has acted as consultants, producers and worldwide distributors in bringing over 150 ‘special event’ productions to its network of more than 7,000 cinemas in 65+ international territories. Winner of the inaugural Best European Distributor award in 2015 (Event Cinema Association) and a Screen International Screen Awards finalist in 2015, 2016 and 2017, More2Screen won the Screen Award ‘Event Cinema Campaign of the Year’ category in 2018 for the live broadcast of the musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. Recent highlights of the More2Screen slate include the special art exhibition event, Gauguin from the National Gallery, London, Emma Rice’s highly acclaimed production of Wise Children and two highly successful musical releases – 42nd Street and Kinky Boots. The Red Shoes is the seventh New Adventures production to be filmed in partnership with More2Screen and distributed to cinemas worldwide. www.more2screen.com

I've just queried that with the PR man. Sadler's Wells had previously announced closure until January 2021.

PRESS RELEASE 20 August 2020 NEW CREATIVE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET AND BIRMINGHAM REPERTORY THEATRE LAUNCHED WITH NEW SOCIAL DISTANCED BALLET FOR LIVE AUDIENCES WORLD PREMIERE: CARLOS ACOSTA COMMISSIONS NEW BALLET INSPIRED BY ‘SOCIAL DISTANCING’. LAZULI SKY CHOREOGRAPHED BY WILL TUCKETT USES AUGMENTED REALITY AND TECHNICAL INNOVATION AS PART OF A TRIPLE BILL WITH LIVE MUSIC WORLD PREMIERE: CITY OF A THOUSAND TRADES WILL CELEBRATE THE DIVERSITY, INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE, AND MULTICULTURAL CREATIVITY OF THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM IN 2021 A brand-new partnership has been confirmed between Birmingham Royal Ballet and Birmingham Repertory Theatre, which will see the two established companies combine creative ingenuity to stage new dance works in the heart of Birmingham city centre. The partnership will be launched with four shows for live audiences in October, following the recent announcement by the government allowing socially distanced performances to happen in theatres. The world premiere performances of Lazuli Sky, choreographed by Will Tuckett, as part of a triple bill of ballet with live music from the Royal Ballet Sinfonia will take place at The REP on 22 – 24 October, with 150 tickets on sale to the public for each of four shows. The show will also be filmed at The REP for broadcast in November via ‘pay per view’ media to audiences unable to attend the live shows. This new partnership has enabled Birmingham Royal Ballet and The REP to work together to find a way to entertain audiences and help revive Birmingham’s cultural life after lockdown. Carlos Acosta, Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet, says: ‘After joining Birmingham Royal Ballet at the beginning of the year, I set about making new friends in the city, knowing that collaboration was key to a successful and creative art form. Sean Foley, also new to the job of Artistic Director of The REP, and I spoke about an exciting cross-sector partnership, using the best of our creative networks in theatre and in dance to develop new work. It became clear that we shared a vision and commitment to making Birmingham the greatest city in the Arts. This year, Birmingham Royal Ballet celebrates 30 years of working in the heart of Birmingham. Whilst the Company continues to enjoy strong bonds with its home venue, Birmingham Hippodrome, our work to bring back large-scale, classic ballets with them is not yet complete, and will require government approval. The new partnership between Birmingham Royal Ballet and The REP will complement the relationship with Birmingham Hippodrome, and enhance creative development throughout this great city. Sean Foley, Artistic Director of The REP says: Carlos Acosta and I are both honoured to be leading amazing cultural institutions in a great international city. It is part of our job to amplify, celebrate, and create work about that city, delivering excitement and artistic excellence for the people of Birmingham and wider afield - both nationally, and internationally. Particularly now, in order to survive and thrive, the Arts must find new and inventive ways to collaborate and create new works. The REP has an unrivalled pioneering history in UK theatre - from staging the world’s first modern dress Shakespeare, to being a national leader in community development and creative learning, it has always been a theatre that seeks the cultural collisions that make extraordinary art for ordinary people. This is the beginning of an exciting partnership that will encompass full-scale productions, and new ways to create audiences together. Combining The REP’s own history with Birmingham Royal Ballet’s reputation for world-class ballet gives us both hope that we can help establish Birmingham as the very best city for theatre, for dance and the creative arts. LAZULI SKY Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Autumn Mixed Bill will be staged at The REP from 22 - 24 October, with tickets on sale via birmingham-rep.co.uk, before heading to Sadler’s Wells in London from 29 - 31 October, with further information and booking details available in mid-September from sadlerswells.com. Family groups will be able to sit together, but will be protected by taking neighbouring seats out of commission. The performance will be filmed at The REP for broadcast in November, with more information to be confirmed soon. World Premiere of Lazuli Sky, choreographed by Will Tuckett Lazuli Sky will be the first one-act ballet to be commissioned and presented by Carlos Acosta as Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet, a role which he started in January 2020 shortly before the COVID-19 crisis hit. At the beginning of lockdown, Carlos turned to British choreographer Will Tuckett and asked him to create a new work for Birmingham Royal Ballet that is inspired by, and utilises, ‘social distancing’. In response to the evolving way in which dance and live performance can once again be staged, Tuckett and his fully collaborative team, including designer Samuel Wyer and projection designer Nina Dunn, are creating a unique piece set to Shaker Loops by John Adams, which will be performed live by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia conducted by Paul Murphy. The ballet will be performed within a projected environment and will use architectural forms as part of the costuming that will help ‘socially distance’ the 12 dancers. In addition, an augmented reality experience is being created in collaboration with James Simpson to provide an alternate to the ‘live’ experience, using elements of volumetric capture and a digitally altered version of sections of the choreography. The deep, speckled blue of the treasured Lapis Lazuli gemstone formed the base for the most precious and expensive of colours in the Renaissance painter’s palette. It created the beautiful expanse of Leonardo da Vinci’s sky. During the recent period of lockdown, the creative team has been drawn to the open clarity of sky, wind-shaped landscapes, and birdsong, without the distractions of normal everyday living. These form the inspiration and backdrop to this outward looking, hopeful and regenerative piece. Our Waltzes, choreographed by Vicente Nebrada To be performed by ten dancers from Birmingham Royal Ballet, this Latin infused collection of neo-classical work celebrating love and romance by Venezuelan choreographer Vicente Nebrada has been performed for over 40 years. Filling the stage with fluid movements, love, romance and passion, Our Waltzes was created for the International Ballet of Caracas in the late 1970s and has since appeared in the repertory of many international companies. The score for Our Waltzes draws together music from the late 19th and early 20th centuries by a Who’s Who of Venezuelan composers of the period: Teresa Carreño, Salvador Llamozas, Manuel Guadalajara, Isabel de Maury, Sofia Limonta, Ramon Delgado Palacios and Heraclio Fernández. Liebestod, choreographed by Valery Panov Wagner’s powerful music from Tristan and Isolde inspires emotive and dextrous dance in choreographer Valery Panov's visceral solo piece. Little movements grow to explosive athleticism before subsiding to stillness. NEW WORK IN DEVELOPMENT: City of a Thousand Trades World Premiere performances at Birmingham Repertory Theatre will be on 6, 7 & 8 May 2021; on sale details to be announced. To celebrate the 30th anniversary season of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s move to the City in 1990, Birmingham Royal Ballet and The REP are delighted to reveal initial details for City of a Thousand Trades, a new one act abstract ballet in development, inspired by and celebrating the richly diverse cultural and industrial heritage of Birmingham. Commissioned as part of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s ‘Ballet Now’ programme which, under the new direction of Carlos Acosta, seeks to find exciting, diverse, international creative talent, City of a Thousand Trades will be brought to stage by choreographer Miguel Altunaga, with music by Mathias Coppens, designs by Guilia Scrimieri, and lighting by Michael Lee-Woolley. Birmingham became known as the City of a Thousand Trades at the height of Britain’s Industrial Revolution, thanks to the exponential growth of businesses using the central location and vast water network for transport and manufacturing. As the city grew into the second largest in the UK, highly skilled workers and tradespeople migrated to the city from throughout the Commonwealth including Ireland, India, the West Indies, and from all over the world, creating a melting pot of cultures. The international creative team of City of a Thousand Trades is using pre-recorded interviews with a cross section of the Birmingham community as a reference, to make connections and to tell its residents’ stories. Their voices and opinions, tone, music and ambitions will greatly influence this work: Where have they come from? Where are they now? What are their hopes and desires for the future of the great city of Birmingham? Havana-born choreographer Miguel Altuanaga has created work for Rambert, The Royal Ballet (as part of the Deloitte Ignite Festival 2014), Danza Contemporanea de Cuba, Tate Modern, and for bands Simply Red and The Zutons, and for Raindance an award-winning film Love Tomorrow, and previously for Carlos Acosta (Memoria). As a performer he is twice winner of the Cuban Best Male Solo Award, and a Critics’ Circle of London National Dance Award nominee. ENDS LISTINGS: LAZULI SKY WORLD PREMIERE OF LAZULI SKY CHOREOGRAPHY: Will Tuckett MUSIC: John Adams (Shaker Loops, for small string orchestra) VIDEO DESIGNS: Nina Dunn COSTUME DESIGNS: Samuel Wyer CONDUCTOR: Paul Murphy OPENING NIGHT CAST: Damen Axtens, Ryan Felix, Haoliang Feng, Tori Forsyth-Hecken, Kit Holder, Yu Kurihara, Gus Payne, Rachele Pizzillo, Emma Price, Tom Rogers, Eilis Small, Yuki Sugiura OUR WALTZES CHOREOGRAPHY: Vicente Nebrada MUSIC: Teresa Carreño, Salvador Llamozas, Manuel Guadalajara, Isabel de Maury, Sofia Limonta, Ramon Delgado Palacios and Heraclio Fernández LIEBESTOD CHOREOGRAPHY: Valery Panov MUSIC: Richard Wagner Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Centenary Square, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EP Thursday 22 October 2020 (7.30pm) Friday 23 October 2020 (7.30pm Saturday 24 October 2020 (2.30pm) Saturday 24 October 2020 (7.30pm) Tickets £15, £25, £35 birmingham-rep.co.uk/whats-on Details of all COVID measures that Birmingham Repertory Theatre has in place for these performances can be found here https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/our-place/ Sadler's Wells, Rosebery Ave, London EC1R 4TN Thursday 29 October 2020 - Saturday 31 October 2020 Details of performances at Sadler's Wells, London will be published on 10 September CITY OF A THOUSAND TRADES CHOREOGRAPHY: Miguel Altunaga MUSIC: Mathias Coppens DESIGNS: Guilia Scrimieri LIGHTING: Michael Lee-Woolley Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Centenary Square, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EP Thursday 6 May 2021 (7.30pm) Friday 7 May 2021 (7.30pm) Saturday 8 May 2021 (2.30pm & 7.30pm) birmingham-rep.co.uk 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 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 175 shows a year nationally and internationally. 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 with: The Royal Ballet, Paris 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. Birmingham Repertory Theatre Birmingham Repertory Theatre is the only producing theatre in the UK’s Second City. The oldest building-based theatre company in the UK, The REP has an unparalleled pioneering history and has been at the forefront of theatre in this country for over 100 years. It is a registered charity (number 223660). The REP’s mission is to create artistically ambitious popular theatre for, by and with the people of Birmingham and the wider world. The commissioning and production of new work lies at the core of The REP’s programme and over the last 15 years, the company has produced more than 130 new plays. As well as presenting over 60 productions on its three stages every year, the theatre tours its productions nationally and internationally. The REP’s acclaimed learning and outreach programme is one of the largest and most diverse of any arts organisation in the country. Every year we have over 70,000 contacts with young people and adults in the community on projects from drama or writing workshops to large-scale productions. The REP is also committed to nurturing new talent through its youth theatre groups, and it offers training for early career writers, directors, and artists through its ground-breaking REP Foundry theatre makers programme. Many of The REP’s productions go on to have lives beyond Birmingham. Recent tours and transfers include The Lovely Bones, Brief Encounter, Nativity! The Musical, What Shadows, LOVE, The Winslow Boy, The Government Inspector, Of Mice and Men, Anita and Me, Penguins and The King’s Speech. The theatre’s long-running production of The Snowman celebrated its 25th anniversary as well as its 22nd consecutive season at London's Peacock Theatre in 2019.

BOOKED!!!!! So excited, even if the website wasn't hugely user friendly for booking and my blood pressure was sky high!! (I'd been keeping this secret till we got the seats but somebody spilled the beans!!!) We're only going to the Saturday matinee.

Not that I am in any way condoning teacher/student relationships when you have students of 17/18 and teachers of 21/22 you can see how this can arise. When I was at school many moons ago one of our young teachers was in the same tennis club as one of our older girls. When she left school after her A levels he resigned and left at Christmas. He explained that they had got to know each other through tennis but it would not have been appropriate to have a relationship until she finished school. The next thing we heard they had got married and when he retired as a head teacher from somewhere there was an article in the paper. They were still married 40 years later.

When you say the whole thread comes up do you mean that the whole thread is sent to the recipient of the text? The whole thread shows up on Apple too but only the latest text is sent to the recipient which preserves the thread but doesn't irritate the recipient.

Thank you for posting Danceparent. I've given up looking at company websites so I would have missed this news!! Will it be worth the 200 mile round trip to Birmingham ... OH YES IT WILL, I am so starved of live performance!!!

TUESDAY 18 AUGUST 2020 SADLER’S WELLS' DIGITAL STAGE & BREAKIN’ CONVENTION RELEASE NEW FILM OUR BODIES BACK Today Sadler’s Wells’ Digital Stage and Breakin’ Convention announce the release of Our Bodies Back, a riveting new dance film that speaks out against anti-Black racism and honours the lived experiences of Black women past and present. This new commission made in collaboration with Jonzi D Projects and BCTV stages the poem We Want Our Bodies Back, the work of acclaimed American poet and performance artist jessica Care moore in a film directed by Breakin’ Convention Artistic Director and Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Jonzi D. Our Bodies Back will be available for audiences all over the world to watch on Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage via Sadler’s Wells YouTube channel from 11am BST Wednesday 19 August 2020. Created during lockdown and filmed remotely, Our Bodies Back is choreographed and performed by Axelle ‘Ebony’ Munezero in Montréal, Canada; Bolegue Manuela (b-girl Manuela) in Hanover, Germany; and Nafisah Baba in London, UK, in response to moore’s poem We Want Our Bodies Back, from a collection of the same name published in spring 2020. Our Bodies Back presents a powerful rendering of Black women’s voices; speaking out against the realities of anti-Black racism, misogynoir and sexual violence, while uplifting and honouring in full the Black lives and memories lost, in a stunning ceremony of dance, spoken word and visual art. With soundscape design from Saxophonist and MC Soweto Kinch and narration by jessica Care moore, Our Bodies Back is an empowering ode to Black womanhood; affirming experiences of pain and trauma as well as pride, power and beauty as lived by generations of Black women all over the world. Writer jessica Care moore said: ‘This exquisite collaboration has moved me to tears more than once. I am honoured to see my poem come to life through the bodies of genius woman & this multi-disciplinary, visionary team of artists. Sandra Bland, Breonna Taylor…we embody these women, we tell their stories.’ Director Jonzi D added: ‘This poem is a demand. For justice, for equality, for respect, for Our Bodies Back. The whole team were so moved by jessica’s incisive lyrics and intense delivery, we had the perfect blueprint for this film. The dancers responded with honesty, grace and power. Here is a link to the YouTube premiere where audiences can watch the film, once it is live from 11am BST Wednesday 19 August Our Bodies Back is part of Sadler’s Wells’ Digital Stage programme. Further details about the Digital Stage programme can be found via Sadler’s Wells social media channels, and updated via this link on the Sadler’s Wells website: https://www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/2020/digital-stage. -ENDS- Notes to Editors Our Bodies Back Sadler’s Wells’ Digital Stage and Breakin’ Convention present Our Bodies Back in collaboration with Jonzi D Projects and BCTV Director - Jonzi D Writer / Recording Artist - jessica Care moore Dancer / Choreographer - Axelle ‘Ebony’ Munezero Dancer / Choreographer - Bolegue Manuela (B-Girl Manuela) Dancer / Choreographer - Nafisah Baba Editor – Ben Williams Sound Design- Soweto Kinch Assistant Director – Jane Sekonya John jessica Care moore’s collection We Want Our Bodies Back is available from Harper Collins Biographies Jessica Care moore jessica Care moore is the founder and CEO of Moore Black Press, executive producer of Black WOMEN Rock!, and founder of the literacy-driven, Jess Care Moore Foundation. An internationally renowned poet, playwright, performance artist, and producer, she is the 2019 and 2017 Knight Arts Award Winner, 2016 Kresge Arts Fellow, NAACP Great Expectations Awardee, and an Alain Locke Award recipient from the Detroit Institute of Arts. Moore is the author of The Words Don’t Fit in My Mouth, The Alphabet Verses the Ghetto, Sunlight Through Bullet Holes, and the critically acclaimed Techno Choreopoem, Salt City. Her work has been published in numerous literary collections and she has performed on stages all over the world, including The Apollo Theater, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the London Institute for Contemporary Arts. jessica lives and writes in an historic Detroit neighborhood with her son King Thomas. Jonzi D Jonzi D is the foremost advocate for hip hop theatre, changing the profile and heavily influencing the development of Britain’s hip hop dance and theatre scene over the past two decades. He’s an MC, dancer, spoken word artist and an established performer in his own right. Jonzi is a graduate from the London Contemporary Dance School and an Associate Artist at Sadler’s Wells. He has toured his own work internationally and is regularly invited to judge international dance competitions. Since founding Breakin’ Convention in 2004 Jonzi has triumphed in both raising the profile and giving a platform to hip hop disciplines; Breakin’ Convention has gained worldwide recognition as being at the vanguard of the art form’s development. Through professional development projects including Open Art Surgery and Back to the Lab, Jonzi has supported hundreds of hip hop dance and rap/poetry artists on their journey to creating theatre. His critically acclaimed works include Lyrikal Fearta (1995), Aeroplane Man (1999), TAG… Just Writing My Name (2006), Markus the Sadist (2009) and The Letter: To Be, Or To MBE (2013). Jonzi has been featured in HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, had his short films Silence da Bitchin’ & Aeroplane Man screened on Channel 4, toured his work extensively all over the world and delivered his own TED talk about the influence and evolution of hip hop culture. Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage Our Bodies Back is part of Sadler’s Wells’ Digital Stage programme. Though our theatres remain dark, we will continue to connect with audiences through our Digital Stage. Since 27 March, our online programme of performances and workshops for people to watch at home has been enjoyed by audiences all over the world, with 2.7 million video views globally. All previously released workshops remain available online, including the full Company of Elders series - specially aimed at over 60s though anyone is welcome to join in - and ten themed family workshops for children aged 2 – 6 years old. All workshops are available to follow as playlists on Sadler’s Wells YouTube channel. Other dance films and documentaries made by Sadler’s Wells in partnership with others including BBC Arts, BBC Films, Academy Films, Artangel, Financial Times, and Clearstory Productions. Details of further new content for Digital Stage audiences will be announced soon with programme updates available on our website and social media channels. Sadler’s Wells social media handles: Facebook: @SadlersWells Twitter: @Sadlers_Wells Instagram: @sadlers_wells YouTube: Sadler’s Wells Theatre About Sadler’s Wells Sadler's Wells is a world-leading dance organisation, committed to producing, commissioning and presenting new works and to bringing the best domestic and international dance to UK and worldwide audiences. Under the Artistic Directorship of Alistair Spalding, the theatre’s acclaimed year-round programme spans dance of every kind, from contemporary to flamenco, Bollywood to ballet, salsa to street dance and tango to tap. Audiences of over half a million come to Sadler’s Wells’ three London theatres each year, with many more enjoying its touring productions at venues across the UK and around the world and accessing its content through its Digital Stage. Sadler's Wells commissions, produces and presents more dance than any other theatre in the world, embracing the popular and the unknown. Since 2005, it has helped to bring over 180 new dance works to the stage, many of them involving its 16 Associate Artists, three Resident Companies and four Associate Companies – the most exciting talents working in dance today. Sadler’s Wells own productions have toured to some of the most prestigious theatres and festivals around the world, such as the Sydney Opera House, the Lincoln Center’s White Light Festival in New York, and the National Centre for Performing Arts in Beijing. Sadler’s Wells also nurtures the next generation of talent through a range of artist development initiatives including its New Wave Associates programmes, its Wild Card initiative and the National Youth Dance Company. A further 30,000 individuals take part in its learning and engagement programmes each year. During the Covid-19 crisis, Sadler’s Wells has continued to connect with global audiences through its Digital Stage, an online programme of performances and workshops for people to watch at home. Since 27 March 2020, the programme has been enjoyed by audiences all over the world, generating over 2.7 million video views globally. Sadler’s Wells is an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation and currently receives approximately 10% of its revenue from Arts Council England. www.sadlerswells.com About Breakin’ Convention Breakin' Convention represents the origins and evolution of hip hop culture from around the world and around the corner. It is world-renowned for hip hop dance theatre. Through its international festivals and professional development programme, Breakin' Convention is at the vanguard of the global development of hip hop theatre artists. Supporting the artistic vison of hip hop theatre pioneer Jonzi D, Breakin’ Convention is part of Sadler’s Wells and produces its flagship annual festival there. It is one of the most prestigious platforms for dance theatre in the world. Since its inception in 2003, the festival has been pivotal to the development of the global hip hop theatre scene; touring nationally since 2007 and internationally since 2013, Breakin’ Convention has reached live audiences of over 100,000. Breakin’ Convention is committed to the development of hip hop theatre artists by providing a variety of participatory opportunities. These include professional development programmes for choreographers, dancers and emcees, projects for young people and educational activities in schools as well as bespoke special events. In the next five years, these projects will culminate in the opening of a new hip hop theatre academy, within the new Sadler's Wells venue in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, east London. As well as a mid-scale auditorium, this new Sadler’s Wells venue will also include a new choreographic centre and will be part of the East Bank project alongside UAL’s London College of Fashion, BBC, UCL and the V&A in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution. www.breakinconvention.com

I know it's not theatre or dance but the Crucible in. Sheffield had audiences of around 300 for the last couple of days of the snooker world championship. Apparently they were in socially distanced groups but they weren't wearing masks. It will be interesting to see if there is a spike amongst snooker players and audience in the coming weeks. I didn't watch but apparently people were cheering and whistling.

I've just had an email reminder about this: View this email in your browser BOUNCING BACK Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 August - online last chance to book - limited places remaining With less than a week to go there are only limited places remaining on Bouncing Back, our exciting weekend of online masterclasses. Each day will begin with inspirational messages from some very special guests, including professional dancers Araminta Wraith, Sarah Kundi and Katie Webb. Daily masterclasses will include ballet, with Denzil Bailey, drama with Nick Evans and an interactive talk focussed on nurturing a healthy, resilient mind and body led by Carrie Johnson and Charlie Brittain and featuring alumna Grace Swaby Moore. Age groups 8-10 years old, minimum RAD Grade 1 ballet (or equivalent) 11-12 years old, minimum RAD Grade 3 ballet (or equivalent) 13-15 years old, minimum RAD Inter-found/grade 5 ballet (or equivalent) 16+ yrs, minimum RAD Advanced Foundation ballet (or equivalent) NYB Bouncing Back takes place on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August. The cost for the weekend is £50. VIEW THE TIMETABLE FOR THE WEEKEND AND BOOK NOW

And a link to Links! https://www.balletcoforum.com/forum/13-dance-links-reviews-news-features/

Yes, up to now (and apart from that one day) Ian and I have been finding plenty to publish!

I read an article that came up somewhere the other day that said New York was coming out the other side - obviously not by the sounds of it.

Done (and I've amended the location in your original post too). Wish it wasn't so far away!

This is quite ... scary, awesome, hilarious, manic, mad ... and it's made Saturday a very happy place to be. https://www.classicfm.com/composers/stravinsky/rite-of-spring-teletubbies/?fbclid=IwAR3K21-wAobq1MZWfrG_WY_JWroHxZeVb3Wv0k2ii30M2GDzgChDVNBONDQ

I can't say, as a non-regular visitor to the ROH, that I saw many performances by Ed Watson but see him I did and 2 of those performances will be seared on my mind forever. Of course Ed Watson has been much lauded for his performance as Rudolf in Mayerling and rightly so. The performance a friend and I saw in 2013 was truly remarkable. The other performance that astounded me was his portrayal of Des Grieux in Manon. I had actually gone because Alex Campbell was performing Lescaut with Francesca Hayward as Manon. I was totally blown away by Ed Watson's performance. For me, he wouldn't have been an obvious choice as Des Grieux but the depth of his characterisation and the almost delicacy of his dancing as well as his beautiful rapport with Hayward stole the performance for me. His performances in McGregor's work have always been of note too. Congratulations to Ed Watson on his fantastic career as a principal dancer with the Royal Ballet. Very best wishes to him for the future. Thank goodness he is moving onto the ballet staff.

Bruce I can’t bring myself to like your post but I echo your thoughts.

Links - Saturday 15 August, 2020 News - Edward Watson to retire as Royal Ballet principal: Chris Wiegand, Guardian News - Inquiry at a ballet school in Scotland: Ballet West: Board of Trustees release updated statement: Elle Duffy, Herald Scotland Inquiry into ballet school misconduct: Mike Wade, Times Founder suspended with immediate effect: Peter Smith, ITV News Teacher at a ballet school in Scotland quits after student claims: Graham Grant, Mail Streaming Review - Edinburgh International Festival - An evening with Scottish Ballet: Jann Parry, DanceTabs Feature - Susan Jaffe, new AD Pittsburgh Ballet: Bill O’Driscoll, WESA Covid-19 News: Sadler’s Wells cancels Christmas performances: Georgia Snow, Stage Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker at Sadler’s Wells rescheduled to 2021: Teresa Guerreiro, Culture Whisper News - A space for black dance artists to create in Hudson Valley: Peter Libbey, NY Times

NJH was absolutely correct in what she pointed out and I did not find the post confrontational. I'm very glad you've had a lot of DMs and you have given people the opportunity to check you alternative platform.

Trouble is, I find, that price rises are never a short term measure!