Jan McNulty

I've seen the Cranko production performed several times in the past by Scottish Ballet (including seeing Ms Rojo in the title role!). Funnily enough I first saw NB performing the Morricone/Gable production in Blackpool during its first season. I was sat next to a Scottish lady who turned to me at the end and said it reminded her very much of the Cranko production...

Just picked this up while preparing for tomorrow's (today's???) links - the BFI is releasing a dvd of Nureyev/Fonteyn dancing R&J including the original theatrical trailer: http://www.film-news.co.uk/show-review.asp?nItemID=1508&nType=2

Sadly, as far as I am aware, no DVDs are available for my 2 favourite productions - Ashton's (as danced by ENB) and Morricone/Gable's. Fortunately both live on in my memory.

There is a website listed at the end of the video. That may have more information.

Interesting final paragraph Floss (I most definitely agree with the rest of your post) given that the wonder woman known as Nao Sakuma's first UK performance 5 months after giving birth to her daughter was a master class in how to perform Odette/Odile in BRB's Swan Lake. I understand she performed in a couple of galas in Japan in August!

I suppose it depends on what you are looking for. I always look for artistry and prefer not to see 6 o'clock extensions unless they have been choreographed in. I know what you mean about RB disillusionment Ali Pasha as I used to be a semi-regular but got fed up around the same time as you. However, I think those doldrums have largely passed so I hope, at the least, you will enjoy some of the cinema broadcasts. I'm only an infrequent visitor to RB these days but have certainly enjoyed the performances I have seen over the last couple of years (and not just because of one particular dancer!).

FT review published a few days ago: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/988877ae-70ca-11e5-9b9e-690fdae72044.html

Links - Thursday, Oct 15 2015 Review – New York City Ballet, Harlequinade, NY Export: Opus Jazz, New York: Alastair Macaulay, NY Times Review – New York City Ballet, Polaris, The Blue of Distance, Common Ground, New Blood, Jeux, New York: Robert Greskovic, Wall Street Journal Preview/Feature – American Ballet Theatre, Monotones l and ll, New York: Alastair Macaulay, NY Times Reviews – Birmingham Royal Ballet, Swan Lake, London: Clement Crisp, FT Hannah Weibye, Artsdesk Mark Monahan, Telegraph Vera Liber, British Theatre Guide Review – Jose Limon International Dance Festival, New York: Siobhan Burke, NY Times Review – Sylvie Guillem, A Life in Progress, Singapore: Germaine Cheng, Straits Times Feature – Twyla Tharp: A Lifetime in Dance: Martha Ullman West, Oregon Arts Watch Reviews – Fall for Dance Festival, New York: Robert Gottlieb, NY Observer Jessica Abejar, Broadway World News – Wendy Whelan joins Barnard College as Artist in Residence: Joshua Barone, NY Times Review – New York Ballet Theatre, Legends and Visionaries, New York: Matt Hanson, Broadway World Comment – Liam Scarlett’s Uplifting End to World Ballet Day 2015: Valerie Lawson, Dancelines Interview – Marcos Morau: Lyndsey Winship, Standard Review – Jacqulyn Buglisi, Table of Silence, New York: Matt Hanson, Broadway World Review – PRIME Choreographic Showcase, Auckland: Roxanne de Bruyn, NZ Theatreview Review – Ross McCormack, Triumphs and Other Alternatives, Auckland: Jenny Stevenson, NZ Theatreview Review - Carol Mendes & Artists, Lanotte + Verso, Matt Hanson, Broadway World

It opened in Birmingham with Enigma closing.

There is a casting tab on the information page. You just need to look at it for the theatre you are going to: http://www.ballet.org.uk/whats-on/romeojuliet/

Oh I thought I'd read about it here but it must have been on Facebook. Thanks for the reminder Alison.

SIT CLOSE!!! Not that I am biased! (You did see the swans from afar at The Lowry!)

See you there too DQF!

Well that is an interesting question. I follow Birmingham Royal Ballet and Northern Ballet. BRB usually post casting around 2 weeks before the performance and NB (if we are lucky) a day or so. As I have to travel to see both companies I tend to book when it is convenient for me to go. I also book early to make sure I can sit where I want to sit. Therefore, casting is not so important initially. However, when the casting is issued I may well book for more performances! I am only an occasional visitor to ROH. Previously I have booked for when I can go, usually matinees (which I can do in a day from Liverpool) but as there is currently a dancer I follow I try to book to see his major performances. I am no longer familiar enough with RB for the casts to mean too much to me. For excursions abroad, I have to take pot luck.

Hopefully see you there Linda!

Nice video feature on BBC news: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-34479477

Yes, I saw it via FB earlier today. I chose not to post the link. It is horrific and salutary.

Very sad news. Sincere condolences to Mandev's family, friends, colleagues and students.

Carlos Acosta A Classical Selection London Coliseum, St. Martin’s Lane, WC2N Tuesday 8 - Sunday 13 December 2015 Performances: Tues – Sat at 7.30pm, Sun at 5pm Tickets: £19 - £90 Ticket Office: 020 7863 8000 or www.sadlerswells.com 020 7845 9300 or www.eno.org “Carlos Acosta is the great male ballet dancer of his generation, a virtuoso performer who could – from the moment we first saw him as a gauche 18 year old – soar across the stage as if suspended from the sky”The Telegraph One of the greatest male dancers of this generation, Carlos Acosta returns to the London Coliseum for a limited run from Tuesday 8 - Sunday 13 December 2015, with A Classical Selection, presenting highlights from Carlos’ career in celebration of twenty-four years as a dancer on the London stage. The production follows the popular format of his 2006 show Carlos Acosta with Guests of The Royal Ballet, for which he won an Olivier Award, this time featuring a new selection of classical works. Carlos Acosta has thrilled audiences throughout the world with his breathtaking performances, including principal roles in many ballets in the classical repertoire. Carlos has put together a programme with Guest Artists from The Royal Ballet, presenting some of his favourite pieces from the classical repertoire. At the London Coliseum, Carlos is joined by Marianela Nunez, Zenaida Yanowsky, Yuhui Choe, Tierney Heap, Anna Rose O’Sullivan, Thiago Soares, Valeri Hristov and Nehemiah Kish. The evening’s programme is accompanied by the ENO Orchestra conducted by Paul Murphy. The performance includes a number of the most famous pas de deux from the classical and neo-classical canon. Extracts performed include Kenneth MacMillan’s Winter Dreams, George Balanchine’s Agon, August Bournonville’s La Sylphide and Diana & Acteon by Agrippina Vaganova. Acosta trained at the National Ballet School of Cuba and won the Gold Medal at the Prix de Lausanne (1990). He was a principal with English National Ballet (1991–2), danced with National Ballet of Cuba under Alicia Alonso (1992–3) and was a principal with Houston Ballet under Ben Stevenson (1993–8). He joined The Royal Ballet in 1998 and became a Principal Guest Artist in 2003. Acosta has frequently appeared worldwide with companies including American Ballet Theatre, Paris Opera Ballet, Kirov, Bolshoi and Australian Ballet. Acosta’s past productions have played to sell-out audiences and have been lauded by critics and audiences alike. He was awarded the CBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List in 2014 for his services to ballet and is passionate about nurturing and inspiring the next generation of dancers through the Carlos Acosta International Dance Foundation. The award marked the end of a remarkable year which had seen him stage a new production of Don Quixote at the Royal Opera House, release his debut novel Pig’s Foot, which was subsequently named as one of the Waterstone’s Eleven, an annual list of some of the most promising debut novels. This forthcoming season he also choreographs Carmen at the Royal Opera House and Chichester Festival Theatre’s new production of Guys and Dolls which is due to transfer to the West End at the end of 2015. At the National Dance Awards 2015 Acosta was awarded the De Valois Award for Lifetime Achievement. Full programme details to be announced. Co-produced by Sadler’s Wells and Valid Productions Presented in association with Como No Notes to editors Listings information Carlos Acosta A Classical Selection London Coliseum, St. Martin’s Lane, WC2N Tuesday 8 - Sunday 13 December 2015 Performances: Tues – Sat at 7.30pm & Sun at 5pm Tickets: £19 - £90 Ticket Office: 020 7863 8000 or www.sadlerswells.com or 020 7845 9300 or www.eno.org ABOUT 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.

Welcome to the Forum, Pianolady. I hope we will hear more from you.

This sounds as though it was a lovely gala last night. Was anyone able to go?

I saw both performances in Birmingham yesterday, where The King Dances is replaced by Kin. I adore Theme and Variations and last night Momoko Hirata was just took my breath away with her speed and precision. She filled the stage with her presence and her partnership with Joe Caley continues to grow. I love Kin and we saw mostly the same dancers in both performances. In the afternoon the leading couple was Elisha Willis and Joe Caley. Elisha has a sublime limpid quality that beautifully suits her opening solo and the duet with Joe. Delia Matthews and William Bracewell led the evening performance. Delia is taller than Elisha and it brings a completely different but equally enjoyable dynamic to the choreography. Tzu-Chao Chou dazzled in his incredibly fast solo. Great stuff! Enigma Variations is just sublime and a total masterpiece. In the evening it was a joy to see Dominic Antonucci as Elgar and Wolfgang Stollwitzer as Jaeger. Their performance of Nimrod with Ana Albutishvili as Lady Elgar was incredibly moving. Jade Heusen was a total delight as Winifred Norbury and I very much enjoyed Yvette Knight and Tom Rogers in the hammock duet. It's a cracking good mixed programme. I am looking forward to seeing T&V, Enigma and The King Dances at Sadler's Wells on Saturday. I'm looking forward to everyone's thoughts...

Costume featurette: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-34476395

And then check it again when you wake up... (hangs my head in shame!)

Starts at 16:50: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b06fpgdk/midlands-today-08102015 Only available till 19:00 tonight