Jan McNulty

I couldn't find an I-rooms website of that name but I have come across: http://www.london-rooms.com https://www.spareroom.co.uk/london https://www.spareroom.co.uk/flatshare/london https://www.facebook.com/iRoomUK/ http://uk.easyroommate.com

I've just picked up via FB that BRB are offering tickets for £10. Use promo code DREAM

I came across this on Facebook yesterday. The choreography is by Jenna Lee. Two very talented ladies, and the music isn't bad either!

Great news Don Q! Something else to look forward to in the Autumn.

Thanks A Frog. Some tempting programmes there...

Thanks RMM1. I've corrected the name in my post.

Thanks for the information Capybara.

I saw one of the other dancers after the performance and he said Chi is aiming to be back for his performance next week. It is, of course, in the lap of the gods (but I've got everything crossed too).

The Evening of Music and Dance at Symphony Hall is an annual treat from the Birmingham Royal Ballet and Sinfonia. Birmingham's Symphony Hall is a glorious venue for the event, the concert hall is very beautiful. It's great to see the orchestra (with extra players drafted in for the evening) taking centre stage too. The dancers perform in, what looks to be a ridiculously small space, in front of the orchestra. This year's conductor was Dominic Grier and the evening was hosted by David Bintley. The evening consists of a mixture of orchestral and dance pieces, usually ending with one of the famous pdd. This year's musical pieces were: Joyeuse Marche - Emmanuel Chabrier The Sorcerer's Apprentice - Paul Dukas Adagio of Spartacus & Phrygia - Aram Khachaturian March in B flat major Op.99 - Sergei Prokofiev orchestrated by Simon Wills Henry V Suite - William Walton Finale from Symphony No 3 - Pyotr ilyich Tchaikovsky I enjoyed all the musical pieces but can't really comment on them as I am not a hugely musical person. David Bintley is an erudite and amusing host, with lots of interesting anecdotes about the different pieces. Unfortunately this year the sound was very muffled where we were sitting but other friends could hear perfectly. I particularly liked the anecdote about the student on one of the biers in Juliet's tomb, who fell asleep and woke up mid performance... And so to the danced items... The first piece was the winter pas de trois from David Bintley's The Seasons (Verdi). This has got really fast, intricate footwork and it was sparklingly danced by Ruth Brill, Yaoqian Shang and Tzu-Chao Chou. Next up was the Elmhurst School for Dance dancing a piece called Preludes to a selection of Elgar's Enigma Variations. It was an absolute delight and, as usual, brought the house down. The programme note said the piece was performed by students from years 6:1 and 6:2 so no names but some lovely looking dancers and everyone danced to a very high standard. Then Momoko Hirata and Joe Caley performed Spring from The Seasons; a beautiful piece that was originally choreographed for Nao and Chi at a gala. Momoko and Joe were glorious. After the interval, the first piece we were treated to was the sublime duet from The Dream by Sir Frederick Ashton. It was danced by Nao Sakuma and William Bracewell (replacing the injured Chi Cao). What can I say, it WAS sublime. William has grown so much in stature as a performer and he just had total command of the stage as Oberon. (He will be a feast for the eyes in the full production). Nao, as we all know, is wonder woman and was an utter delight. She and William looked fabulous together, especially as they cannot have had much rehearsal time. Highlight followed highlight and next we saw Iain Mackay and Jenna Roberts in the balcony pdd from Romeo and Juliet. Even on a blank stage totally out of context they brought a depth of meaning to this piece that was so beautiful I was moved to tears. And so to the exciting finish ... Yaoquian Shang and Mathias Dingman raised the rafters with a spectacular rendition of the Le Corsaire pdd. They really were totally on fire. It amazes me that these dancers can pull of a spectacular showstopper in such a tiny space ... and they really filled that space. It was a rip-roaring end to a gorgeous evening. I can't wait for next year now!

Absolutely fabulous. I'll post more details in Performances Seen.

A Sadler’s Wells production National Youth Dance Company / Michael Keegan-Dolan In – Nocentes WORLD PREMIERE (followed by national tour) Sadler’s Wells, EC1R 4TN Thursday 7 April at 7.30pm Tickets: £12 (concessions £6 including under-18s) Ticket Office: 020 7863 8000 or www.sadlerswells.com This year’s line-up of the National Youth Dance Company (NYDC), the country’s flagship organisation for young dancers, performs a new creation by the company’s Guest Artistic Director Michael Keegan-Dolan, an Associate Artist of Sadler’s Wells. The work entitled In – Nocentes receives its world premiere on Thursday 7 April at Sadler’s Wells, which is followed by a national tour in June and July. Set to Max Richter’s re-composition of The Four Seasons by Vivaldi, performed live by Southbank Sinfonia, this new NYDC commission is a ritualistic piece with which Keegan-Dolan celebrates the natural and instinctive way in which young people can move and behave. The Latin root nocens implies “harm”. As we grow older we become accustomed to living cautiously – but the title In – Nocentes denotes the confidence of youth to open oneself to a situation without reservation or fear. While this might appear risky, it also creates the possibility for something wonderful to unfold. This sublimely musical work sees Richter’s recomposed Vivaldi score permeate the bodies of the dancers, which display rhythmical, vibrant and natural movement. The choreography excavates the score to reveal hidden percussive elements, while maintaining an aesthetic simplicity. Keegan-Dolan is founder and artistic director of Fabulous Beast Dance Theatre. His productions Giselle, The Bull and The Rite of Spring were all nominated for Olivier Awards and The Bull won the UK Critics' Circle Award for Best Modern Choreography in 2008. He has worked on productions for world-class companies and theatres including English National Opera, La Monnaie, Royal Opera House and National Theatre. In his appointment as NYDC Guest Artistic Director, Keegan-Dolan follows in the footsteps of Jasmin Vardimon, Akram Khan and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, who have each in turn held the position over previous years. Through their work with NYDC, these internationally acclaimed figures illustrate their commitment to young artists and highlight the power young dancers have to shape the future of dance. This year’s diverse cohort of 41 young dancers comprises 30 new members, selected through NYDC Experience Workshops held in towns and cities all over the country, and 11 dancers returning from last year’s NYDC cohort. The dancers are mentored during three intensive residencies through the year in order to create, rehearse and develop the new piece. Now in its fourth year, NYDC has established a reputation for innovative, challenging and influential work, and producing open-minded, curious and brave dancers. The company brings together the brightest talent from across England, immersing the members fully in the process of creating, performing and touring new work, giving them a unique insight into the dance profession. NYDC has a track record of putting young people on paths to successful dance careers, with over 80% of all former NYDC dancers now either in further dance studies, in vocational training or working professionally. NYDC Guest Artistic Director and Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Michael Keegan-Dolan said: “Innocence is often associated with weakness – but there is tremendous strength and beauty in the ability to remain open in the face of perceived harm. As adults, we lose our innocence as we learn to live safe or exact lives and in the process we can easily forget what it means to live fully. With this work I celebrate the wonderful individuality, freedom, diversity and innocence of these bold young dancers, who have the power to shape the future of their world.” NYDC Director Jane Hackett said: “We believe in the importance of identifying talent at an early age. These young people have the potential to be the future leaders of the dance world and we want to provide them with as many tools as possible to excel and succeed. Joining NYDC can be a life-changing experience, presenting career possibilities, raising aspirations, self-esteem and confidence, and introducing the very best of professional dance practice.” Sadler’s Wells Artistic Director and Chief Executive Alistair Spalding said: “It is vital for the health of the dance sector that there is a pipeline of talent feeding it, and I firmly believe that young performers should have the opportunity to work to the highest standards and with world class resources in the dance profession. The outstanding skills of NYDC dancers demonstrate how crucial it is to make sure young talent is properly nurtured and allowed to flourish.” NYDC is jointly funded by Arts Council England and the Department for Education from the National Lottery and Grant in Aids funds Under 5s admitted Confirmed tour dates (with further dates TBC): Sunday 26 June: Lakeside Arts Centre, Nottingham Saturday 3 July: Dance City, Newcastle Sunday 4 July: Stanley and Audrey Burton Theatre, Leeds Friday 8 July: The Lowry, Salford Tuesday 19 July: Jerwood Dance House, Ipswich Thursday 21 July: Falmouth University Saturday 23 July: Mac, Birmingham Confirmed NYDC Experience Workshops for 2016-17 intake (with further dates TBC): Saturday 28 May: DanceXchange, Birmingham Sunday 29 May: Sadler’s Wells, London Monday 30 May: UClan, Preston Tuesday 31 May: Wyke College, Hull Wednesday 1 June: Marina Studios, Brighton Thursday 2 June: The Garage, Norwich Friday 3 June: Dance East, Ipswich Saturday 4 June: Swindon Dance Saturday 4 June: Plymouth Dance Sunday 5 June: The Point, Eastleigh Sunday 26 June: Lakeside Arts Centre, Nottingham Saturday 2 July: Dance City, Newcastle Sunday 3 July: Stanley and Audrey Burton Theatre, Leeds Saturday 9 July: Manchester NOTES TO EDTORS: National Youth Dance Company Founded in 2012, and hosted at Sadler’s Wells, NYDC is an exciting young company that creates and performs innovative and influential dance, drawing together some of the brightest young talent from across the country to work with Sadler’s Wells’ internationally renowned Associate Artists. NYDC is funded jointly by Arts Council England and the Department for Education, from the National Lottery and Grant in Aid funds. Since NYDC’s inception in 2012: - 120 dancers have joined the company, working intensively with renowned dance artists including Guest Artistic Directors: Jasmin Vardimon (2012-13), Akram Khan (2013-14) and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui (2014-15) and Michael Keegan Dolan (2015-16). These 120 dancers come from 48 different towns and cities in England. - Over 1500 young people have worked with the company - NYDC has delivered 66 workshops in 26 different venues across 23 towns and cities - Over 25,000 people have seen the company perform - NYDC has featured in 36 performances, visiting 19 different venues across the UK, including some leading theatres in the country. Sadler’s Wells Sadler's Wells is a world-leading dance house, committed to producing, commissioning and presenting new works and to bringing the very best international and UK dance to London 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. Since 2005 it has helped to bring over 90 new dance works to the stage and its award-winning commissions and collaborative productions regularly tour internationally. Sadler’s Wells supports 16 Associate Artists, three Resident Companies and an Associate Company and nurtures the next generation of talent through hosting the National Youth Dance Company, its Summer University programme, Wild Card initiative and its New Wave Associates. Located in Islington, north London, the current theatre is the sixth to have stood on the site since it was first built by Richard Sadler in 1683. The venue has played an illustrious role in the history of theatre ever since, with The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and English National Opera all having started at Sadler’s Wells. Sadler’s Wells is an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation and currently receives approximately 10% of its revenue from Arts Council England. Michael Keegan-Dolan Born in 1969, Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Michael Keegan-Dolan lives in his family ancestral home in County Longford. He is the Founder and Artistic Director of Fabulous Beast Dance Theatre. Productions for Fabulous Beast include: Sunday Lunch (1997), Fragile (1999), The Flowerbed (2000), TheChristmas Show (2001), Giselle (2003), The Bull (2005), James Son of James (2007), The Rite of Spring(2009), Helen and Hell (2010), and Rian (2011). Most recently, he directed and choreographed a new production of Handel's masterpiece Julius Caesar, at the London Coliseum, for English National Opera. Other choreographic work includes: Ariodante, Manon and Alcina (English National Opera); The Rake's Progress (La Monnaie, Royal Opera House); Faust and Macbeth(Royal Opera House); The Duchess of Malfi, Carousel and The Oedipus Plays (National Theatre); Idomeneo(Royal Flanders Opera); The Love for Three Oranges (Cologne Opera); Pique Dame and Ariodante (Bavarian State Opera). Rian was nominated for a 2011 Irish Times Theatre Award. Giselle, The Bull and The Rite of Spring were all nominated for Olivier awards and in 2008 Michael won the UK Critics' Circle Award for Best Modern Choreography for The Bull. In 2004, Giselle won the Judges' Special Award at the Irish Times Theatre Awards. Both Michael and Fabulous Beast received a nomination for the 2009 Europe Prize New Theatrical Realities. Michael and writer Enda Walsh were awarded the 2012 Meadows Prize by the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University, Dallas (SMU), and they spent three weeks in residence at SMU, workshopping a new dance theatre production.

I am saddened to read the news that Violette Verdy, the great Balanchine ballerina has passed away. My thoughts are with her family and friends at this time.

Northern Ballet returns home from Gatsby glory in China Northern Ballet has returned home to Leeds following a sell-out international tour to China that saw them perform to over 10,000 people. The Company performed its blockbuster production, The Great Gatsby, to packed houses at Shanghai Grand Theatre and Beijing’s National Centre for the Performing Arts between 30 January and 5 February 2016. This latest tour by the Company follows an earlier successful visit to China with A Midsummer Night’s Dream in January2014. At that time, Northern Ballet was the first British cultural organisation to tour to China following the signing of a new cultural agreement between the UK and China. This year, the Company sought to further strengthen bonds between the two countries and continue to build its profile with audiences in the Far East. This is the first time that Northern Ballet’s smash hit production of The Great Gatsby, which premièred in 2013, has been performed outside of the UK. Northern Ballet Chief Executive, Mark Skipper DL, said: ‘I am delighted that Northern Ballet was invited to return to perform in China just two years from our last visit. This is the first time that our production of The Great Gatsby has been performed internationally and the whole company has been thrilled by the positive reaction we have received from audiences there. Northern Ballet continues to be a passionate cultural ambassador for Leeds, Yorkshire and the UK so we are delighted to be able to take opportunities to reach audiences further a field with our work and showcase what the UK has to offer.’ Leeds City Council Leader, Cllr Judith Blake, said: ‘It is fantastic that Northern Ballet have once again been flying the flag so successfully for Leeds and showcasing their incredible talents to the world. As one of the city’s cultural standard bearers, they are superb representatives for how passionately Leeds embraces the arts and how rich and varied our cultural offering is. I’d like to personally congratulate everyone involved in the tour and thank them for their continued support in further raising the city’s international profile.’ Northern Ballet commences its UK tour with Swan Lake opening at Leeds Grand Theatre on 3 March 2016. For more information on upcoming productions and tour dates, please visit northernballet.com/whatson. -ENDS- Notes to Editors For more details of Northern Ballet's tour, on sale dates and booking information, please visit northernballet.com/whatson. Nominated for Outstanding Company at the 2015 National Dance Awards and voted Best Company at the 2014 TaglioniEuropean Ballet Awards, Northern Ballet is one of the UK’s five large ballet companies. Based in Leeds it performs throughout the UK as well as overseas. Northern Ballet’s productions mix classical dance and theatre, embracing popular culture and taking inspiration from literature, opera, or giving a unique interpretation of popular classical ballets. Northern Ballet is the busiest touring ballet company in the UK and is typically on the road for around 32 weeks of the year. The Company of 46 dancers tours a combination of full-length new work and established repertoire to cities throughout the UK. Northern Ballet also tours widely with its ballets for children, the first three of which were adapted for TV by CBeebies, and also performs a mixed programme showcasing the versatility of its dancers. Visit northernballet.com for more information on the Company and tour.

Link to the school website: http://www.bejart-rudra.ch/pen_homepage_01.php

Good for your brother Fonty!

Thanks for that cracking review Duck. The Bel piece sounds terrific.

Emeralds is my favourite section too.

But surely there is contemporary ballet as well as contemporary dance, surely - for example the lamented Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet or perhaps our own Ballet Black or the choreography of Kenneth Tindall? Within contemporary dance there are so many different styles too. I have always thought, going back to Sim's post, that contemporary dance is more disposable than classical ballet. I started off as a dance watcher at a performance by the very much lamented London Contemporary Dance Theatre in Southport. I can remember very few of the works I saw over the years and those that I do are not often revived.

We are back to the same situation that seems to be affecting the "classical" companies - how do you keep alive the heritage works that have made you who you are and move forward to keep pace with developments at the same time?

What is ballet? I am not asking this lightly. As far as I can see there are a number of genres of dance where, for want of a better description, ladies wear pointe shoes. Are all these genres ballet? Does a lady have to wear pointe shoes for a production to be classed as ballet? Some genres off the top of my head: Romantic, Classical, Neo-classical, Contemporary Ballet. And then there are the styles - English, Bournonville, Russian, Cuban, French. This clip was brought to my attention on Facebook this morning. Bournonville steps but not, to my mind, Bournonville style: Now this is how it should be done!: As an art form ballet is still evolving but how do we preserve the best of the heritage. I don't know what the answer is.

Hello Kameliendame and welcome to the Forum! Thanks for your comments on Millepede's departure from POB. I do hope you will continue to contribute to the Forum.

Sorry to hear that he has passed away. RIP

Sounds like a fabulous line-up; wish I could go.

Details about the pieces being performed. Wish I could be there! http://northernballet.com/ballet-at-the-gallery/the-pieces

Done!