Jan McNulty

I must admit that it was the Markova clip that most grabbed me. I found Danilova too strident for my taste.

And I fear that television is not the only art form that is dumbed down! When I look at some of the glorious and witty American films of the 1930s, 40s and 50s I often wonder where that has all gone. For example - It happened one night, After office hours, The Bride came COD, The Philadelphia Story and so many more wonderful films my friend and I used to watch on BBC2 on a Saturday afternoon! I thoroughly enjoyed the new Star Wars film when I saw it this week but in terms of style and wit it is not a patch on any of the films I have just mentioned. Come to think of it, I had watched about half of the Wayans Brothers White Chicks before I finally realised that it was a remake of Some Like It Hot! The BBC may not have radically different audiences for which it has to cater but it does cater for radically different audiences. I understood BBC4 was supposed to be a serious arts channel and I suppose that gave the Beeb license to think that it could dumb down BBCs 1 and 2. The mainstream TV channels are competing with the streaming services and the likes of YouTube and perhaps their current policies are how they think they can compete. Like it or not, we have moved away from the heady days of serious arts programmes on mainstream channels.

If you know the dancer I really like at RB - it's him!

Good point DQF. I often tweet dancers if I have enjoyed a performance and most seem really chuffed to hear feedback.

That's a terrific clip isn't it capybara! When Friends of BRB used to have interviews with dancers, I found I often looked out for those dancers more on stage as I knew something about them and felt almost a link to them.

On various threads people have spoken about how speeds of dances have altered (usually slowed down) over the years. In a recent article about NYCB’s Nutcracker Alastair Macaulay included links to Danilova and Markova dancing Sugarplum. He also gives a quote from Margot Fonteyn’s autobiography about Frederick Ashton talking about watching both dancers rehearsing this role. The Danilova clip is from the Jacob’s Pillow Archive. The Markova clip is on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBknFnVu7Hw Here is also a clip of Yoshida in the RB’s production from Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K65lcuHQn-E And here is a BRB rehearsal clip Would anyone like to give some thoughts on these 4 performances?

I know someone who has just started a new job; she was given a list of rules about what she could and could not do on social media as she is now a representative of that company even when she is off-duty. I wonder if companies' media officers give guidelines on how to use social media sensibly?

I don't disagree with the sentiments that a more serious and in-depth programme could be presented by Ms Bussell but she is still at the whim of what is required by her contract, the writer, director and producer. If she is categorised as a light entertainment presenter then that is what we will probably get.

Tabitha, this subject was raised a couple of months ago. I have merged your comment in to the extant thread and perhaps it will encourage more discussion. Depending upon how they post it can, IMHO enhance my enjoyment of their performances. Since I joined twitter over 5 years ago I think a lot more people in the entertainment world have realised that what goes on the internet stays on the internet and have become more careful about how they post. (Or at least I hope they have!)

Some years ago both Birmingham Royal Ballet and Northern Ballet had their own calendars. I think both companies gave up after a couple of years because they cost too much to produce compared to the numbers bought.

Links - Wednesday 30 December, 2015 Review - Blanca Li and Maria Alexandrova, Déesses et Démones, Paris: Laura Cappelle, FT Review - Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Exodus, Awakening, Untitled America: First Movement, Open Door, New York: Rose Marija, Broadway World Interview - Rachael Gillespie, Northern Ballet: Marion Sauvebois, Swindon Advertiser Review - Shanghai Ballet, Swan Lake, Amsterdam: Isabella Zijp, Bachtrack List - The Five Best Dance Performances in Sydney in 2015: Jill Sykes, Sydney Morning Herald Feature - Atlanta Dance Review 2015: Staff, Arts Atlanta Interview - Jennifer Weber talks the Hip Hop Nutcracker: Linda Ann Watt, Broadway World Reviews - The Imperial Ice Stars, The Nutcracker on Ice, London: Louise Levene, FT Michael Coveney, What's On Stage

TP, I assume you mean BBC1 or 2 for Darcey rather than BBC4 for the rest! I agree with Anna that it was rather rude. I would just like to say again that programmes intended to appeal to a mass audience are probably not going to be as in depth as programmes aimed at keen fans such as members of this Forum.

I've moved this post to Doing Dance where you are more likely to get a response.

The performances at the Lowry in May are almost sold out despite the horrendous (for the Lowry) prices. Guess I will have to miss his Swansong.

Scottish Ballet performed Matthew Bourne's Highland Fling a couple of years ago. It was, I believe, the first time a company other than his own had performed the work. I would guess it would depend on who owns the rights for the work and how contractual arrangements would be set up. I would assume it would be the same with any work by any living choreographer/producer.

Hello Dizzy dancer and welcome to the Forum. I think Bluebell has given some good advice and I am sure other members will have comments too. Please let us know how you get on, and good luck to your DD.

Lemmy, the founder of Motorhead and previous member of Hawkwind has passed away at the age of 70. Although I was not a Motorhead aficionado, I did see him with Hawkwind. He had enormous stage presence and was a great bassist. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24806076 Sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Sorry I can't answer your query Spencedance but just wanted to welcome you to the Forum.

I've been meaning to ask a question on this thread for a while now about the speed at which roles in the classics are danced. Numerous examples have been given about how much faster variations were danced in days gone by. I was wondering, however, if current producers of traditional versions of the classics are happy with the speeds as they are currently danced or if the dancers have more influence in that these days? I know that, for example, Sir Peter Wright is still actively involved in revivals of his classic productions such as Swan Lake and The Nutcracker.

I'm so very sorry to hear of your loss Helen. Heartfelt condolences to Mrs Schon's family and friends at this dreadfully sad time.

Yes, I think that is why she was surprised she liked it!

I've just been chatting to a friend on the telephone. She watched Carmen on TV and enjoyed it (much against her expectation)!

Spoke too soon - just wanted to quote part of a posting and I couldn't!

Sorry but the quote function seems to be a bit erratic so I have had to post the whole post. I was under the impression that Peter Schaufuss was a dancer of world renown who kept the Bournonville style in the international public eye during his dancing and directorship career prior to his return to Denmark. I started watching ballet just as he was appointed AD to London Festival Ballet and one of my earliest memories of an unforgettable performance was him and Eva Evdokimova in his production of La Sylphide at RFH in August 1985. During his international career he danced with Kirov/Mariinsky, POB, ABT and NYCB where roles were created on him by Balanchine. As for Irek Mukhamedov, surely the documentary clips demonstrated why he was worthy of inclusion. This documentary will have been aimed towards a mass audience and I thought it was great for that purpose even if many Forum members may have expected more.

Thanks Geoff.