Jan McNulty

You haven't mentioned the film Mao's Last Dancer, part of the inspirational story of Li Cunxin (book and film the same name). The film stars the very wonderful Chi Cao as the adult Li.

But artistry is not just about technique. I have seen technical brilliance that has left me stone cold and in one performance left me on the verge of leaving at the interval (actually it was a male not female dancer). David Nixon, AD of Northern Ballet, made a comment to the dancers in class one Saturday morning when we were watching along the lines of "just because you can through your leg up behind your ear does not mean to say that is how you should do it if it is not called for by the choreography". I never saw Margot Fonteyn dance live but I have seen some stuff on TV over the years and boy, even on the small screen, she had that indefinable something that makes a great artist in spades. BTW, introducing a discussion about Nureyev on a topic about favourite ballerinas is taking it too far off topic!

And this one from today's Standard will be in the links tomorrow: http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/theatre/francesca-hayward-a-sugar-plum-life-a3213211.html "I just want always to move people. If someone cries, that’s brilliant" I wept at the beauty of her performance in Rhapsody.

That's a good point Alison. Some dancers, like Trinidad Sevillano, Desire Samaii, Altynai Asylmuratova, Martha Leebolt and (now also) Francesca Hayward for me walk on stage, breathe and I am lost! Of the other favourite dancers I listed they have all seared performances onto my mind even if I have not seen much of them. I agree that some dancers are better in some styles than others but those dancers I listed on my initial post have all had that certain something that has made them special to me (although I may prefer other dancers in certain roles).

JV2 brings emerging dance talent to Leeds for first time Formed by the internationally acclaimed Jasmin Vardimon Company, JV2 takes to the road this spring with a programme of both new and established work. Performing at the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre for one performance only on 19 April 2016, JV2 presents JV2 2016, a triple bill that showcases the wealth of talent in the current company. Hand-picked by Artistic Director Jasmin Vardimon, JV2 is an ensemble of 16 young, talented international dancers, including six dancers who graduated from the Leeds-based Northern School of Contemporary Dance. JV2 is an educational initiative with the mission to develop, encourage and cultivate both young talent and young audiences. JV2 2016 features works choreographed by Jasmin Vardimon, AΦE and Vinicius Salles. Jasmin Vardimon’s work (in between), first created for the National Youth Dance Company in 2013 and premiered at Sadler’s Wells, echoes relationships between humans and the natural environment. AΦE, Ashford-based dance company founded by Esteban Fourmi and Aoi Nakamura in 2013, presents a work that questions the notion of presence, whilst choreography by Vinicius Salles offers an inquiry of social judgments and an acceptance of differences. Jasmin Vardimon says: ‘It’s a fantastic feeling to support young artists in their first steps in the professional world. I'm very proud of this company’s achievements and excited about the forthcoming tour.’ Tickets for JV2 2016 at the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre, Leeds are on sale now and can be booked online at theatreleeds.com or by calling the box office on 0113 220 8008. All tickets are priced at £10. - ENDS - Notes to Editors JV2 Now in its 4th year, JV2 has become a recognized training route for young performers from all over the world, and is just one of the training programmes offered by Jasmin Vardimon Educational Company; the charitable arm to the internationally acclaimed Jasmin Vardimon Company. JV2 offers the opportunity not only to nurture young talented performers, but young costume designers, photographers and lighting designers all collaborate on the production of the touring work. Young choreographers are also commissioned each year to create new work for the company which allows them creative freedom with a company of dancers and a national platform through performances at small and mid-scale venues in a spring tour. Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre The Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre is an intimate studio theatre situated inside the stunning home of Northern Ballet and Phoenix Dance Theatre on Quarry Hill, Leeds. The building was winner of the 2011 National Lottery Award for Best Arts Project. The theatre was named as the best family friendly theatre in Yorkshire in the Netmums Theatre Awards. The theatre also received Best Family Venue, Best Family Event and Best Family Welcome at the 2013 Family Arts Festival Awards. The Stanley & Audrey Burton has signed up to the Family Arts Standards and supports Child Friendly Leeds.

DANCE GCSE TO INCLUDE WAYNE McGREGOR’S INFRA Royal Ballet Resident Choreographer Wayne McGregor’s one act ballet Infra has been added to AQA’s Dance GCSE syllabus. Available to students from September 2016 this is the first time McGregor’s choreography has become part of the GCSE curriculum. The inclusion of Infra in the AQA syllabus marks a change from the previous course which focused on traditional narrative ballet. The Dance GCSE explores various elements and genres of dance through performance and choreography, celebrating the art form and creating an appreciation of dance. Infra was created for The Royal Ballet in 2008 and is set to a score by Max Richter and features set designs by British artist Julian Opie. Wayne McGregor comments ‘Studying dance in schools contributes vitally to a well-rounded and wide-reaching general education for young people. Engaging creatively with the arts facilitates new modes of communication and self-expression, essential attributes for innovation in any domain. Dance sharpens a student’s ability to think with and through the body, while challenging them to combine a broad range of multiple intelligences to solve creative problems. I am thrilled that Infra will play a role in inspiring the next generation of talent.’ Kevin O’Hare, Director of The Royal Ballet, adds ‘Infra is a ground-breaking work which showcases the possibilities of modern ballet. Wayne is a galvanizing force for dance in the 21st century and through his unique choreography he constantly challenges and extends balletic technique creating a new and exciting theatrical experience for dancers and audiences. I’m thrilled that thousands of young people will be able to study and learn from his genius.’ Seb Ross, AQA Performing Arts Qualifications Manager, said ‘We are delighted to have the work of renowned choreographer Wayne McGregor in our new GCSE Dance syllabus. Infra is a challenging and beautiful contemporary work and I’m pleased that AQA GCSE Dance students across the country will have the opportunity to study and enjoy the choreography.’ Wayne McGregor is renowned for his groundbreaking choreography and collaborations. He was appointed Royal Ballet Resident Choreographer in 2006 and has created 12 works for the Company. His most recent production was the critically acclaimed Woolf Works inspired by the writings of Virginia Woolf. Infra is a staple of The Royal Ballet repertory and has been performed around the world, most recently in New York as part of the Royal Ballet USA tour 2015. Obsidian Tear, McGregor’s latest work for The Royal Ballet premieres on 28 May. Ends Notes to Editors The Royal Ballet Based at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, The Royal Ballet is Great Britain’s most prestigious ballet company and one of the great classical ballet companies of the world. Led by Director Kevin O’Hare, the Company has a wide-ranging repertory that showcases the great 19th century classics alongside heritage works including those of its two great 20th century choreographers Frederick Ashtonand Kenneth MacMillan. In addition, The Royal Ballet performs new works by Royal Ballet Resident Choreographer Wayne McGregor, Royal Ballet Artistic Associate Christopher Wheeldon and Liam Scarlett Royal Ballet Artist in Residence, three of the foremost international choreographers working today. The Royal Opera House is committed to enabling as many people as possible to experience and enjoy world class ballet. Each Season more than 740,000 people attend performances at the Opera House; 33,000 people participate in learning and participation events ranging from Monday Moves for blind and partially sighted people to Chance to Dance for talented children from underprivileged backgrounds.Many hundreds of thousands across the UK and overseas tune in to BBC radio and television broadcasts; more than 47,000 attend our free outdoor BP Big Screens – live relays from the Royal Opera House; and a further 730,000 have been able to watch our productions in cinemas worldwide.

It seems to me that they are concentrating on foreign tours in the Spring.

Hello Janiceannj and welcome to the Forum!

Links - Tuesday 29 March, 2016 Review - Paris Opera Ballet, Seven Sonatas, In Creases, Duo Concertant, Other Dances, Paris: Laura Cappelle, FT Review - Paul Taylor’s Modern American Dance, various performances, New York: Deborah Jowitt, Arts Journal Review - Stephen Petronio Company, Glacial Decoy, Big Daddy (Deluxe), MiddleSexGorge, New York: Leigh Witchel, Danceview Times Photo feature - Bolshoi Ballet Academy in celebration of Bolshoi Theatre’s 240 years: Ksenia Isaeva, Russia Beyond the Headlines Photo feature - Seven greats who have appeared on the Bolshoi stage over 240 years: Staff, RT Review - BalletLorent, Snow White, London: Judith Mackrell, Guardian Review - Marie Al Fajr, Mona Gamil, Leyya Mona Tawil, Amira Chebli, Solos, New York: Alastair Macaulay, NY Times Preview - Chicago Dance Month: Janet Arvia, Examiner Review - The Dream Project, Luna Soul, Cambridge: Merli V Guerra, Arts Fuse Review - Juan Siddi Flamenco Santa Fe, Gitano flavours of steps, sights and sounds, New York: Marsha Volgyi, Broadway World Preview - Alma Dance Theatre, Flowers for Springtime, Miami: Jordan Levin, Miami Herald

Thanks Amelia. Fabulous photographs.

I remember seeing Terekhova as Myrthe when I was a ballet-watching newbie. I thought she was absolutely awesome. It looked to me as though she was floating a couple of inches above the stage. Thanks for reminding me of her TP.

As mischance would have it, when I pressed the pause button a timebar appeared across the dancer's names. There was one name I couldn't make out at all and I am wondering if it was a student from the graduate programme: The dancers were: Sebastian Loe - Tortoise - also co-choreographer and now retired Riku Ito - Hare Victoria Sibson - Mole Jenny Hackwell - cheerleader and bee Natalia Kerner - Butterfly Archie Sullivan Antonio Mirrane (?) I'm afraid I couldn't tell which parts the 2 young gentlemen were playing because of the make-up.

Nice CBeebies trailer showing some of the makeup: https://www.facebook.com/cbeebies/videos/959726374062665/?fref=nf

Amongst others and in no particular order: Trinidad Sevillano Lesley Collier Altynai Assylmuratova Jayne Regan Desire Samaii Martha Leebolt Sandra Madgwick Victoria Marr Nao Sakuma Delia Matthews Francesca Hayward

We had a general thread on the Not Dance Forum: http://www.balletcoforum.com/index.php?/topic/1419-no-what-oh-heck-moments-can-we-share/ Perhaps, Dancingtodance, we can use your thread for dance-related moments! To that end I have slightly amended the title.

Chris Dudgeon has also worked with Northern Ballet: http://www.chrisdudgeonstudio.com

I'm going to record the 5pm showing so I can replay and slow down the credits! If I can read them, I will let you know!

Or perhaps the UK is ahead of the curve!

Hello 77dancer01 and welcome to the Forum! We've had a couple of threads in the past about dance photographers but not necessarily covering the North. Worth a look though: http://www.balletcoforum.com/index.php?/topic/8039-dance-photographer-recommendation-london-area-for-professional-dancer-not-student/?hl=photographer http://www.balletcoforum.com/index.php?/topic/7853-dance-photographers-birmingham-area/?hl=photographer http://www.balletcoforum.com/index.php?/topic/3486-dance-photographer/?hl=photographer I'm not sure where you are based but 2 photographers who have worked with Northern Ballet in Leeds are: Lisa Storehouse: http://www.lisastonehouse.com/about Justin Slee: http://justinslee.co.uk/info-contact/about-me/

As a result of a comment about taller dancers on another thread I have had a quick look at both NB and BRB's websites. I can't comment on torso/leg ratio but 25% of the lady dancers in NB are 5'3" or less (i.e. the same or shorter than me). With BRB the percentage is approximately 22 but may be higher because I have not seen some of the new dancers in street clothes and it can be hard to judge height when you are looking at people on a stage. Both companies also have male dancers of a variety of heights. I'm not so familiar with RB or ENB but I've just read an interview with Francesca Hayward who is stated as being 5'2". Here's the interview: http://pointemagazine.com/featured-article/the-natural/

This lovely interview with Francesca Hayward by Laura Cappelle was published in Pointe Magazine recently. It's well worth a read if you haven't already seen it: http://pointemagazine.com/featured-article/the-natural/

25% of the lady dancers in Northern Ballet are 5'3" or less - i.e. the same height or shorter than me. Jenny Hackwell only joined this year. I can only think of 2 or 3 lady dancers there who may be taller than 5'4". Approximately 22% of BRB lady dancers are my height or less - again with some of them only joining the company in the last year or so. The percentage may be higher as I have not seen some of the newer dancers in street clothes.

No, I've just read an interview with Francesca Hayward who says she is 5'2". There are also petite ladies in NB, BRB and ENB.

DON'T FORGET TORTOISE AND THE HARE IS ON CBEEBIES TODAY AT 11:00 AND 17:00. Enjoy!

Very sad news. Sincere condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.