Jan McNulty

If all companies danced the same production, the ballet world would be a very boring place. Sir Frederick Ashton's glorious production was actually created for the Royal Danish Ballet in the 1950s. Juliet was created by Mona Vansgae (many apologies if I have got her surname wrong), Peter Shaufuss' mother. Peter persuaded Sir Frederick Ashton to revive this version for London Festival Ballet (now ENB) in 1985. Deane also revived his in-the-round production as an attractive proscenium version so arguably ENB have performed 4 versions of R&J over the 30 years. BRB perform the McMillan version and have done so since they moved to Birmingham 25 years ago. It does look slightly different to the RB version because the sets and costumes are different and Sir Kenneth McMillan tweaked the production for them. Amongst other productions, I have now seen NB perform Morricone/Gable's (my favourite) and Maillot's and Scottish Ballet perform Cranko's, North's and Pastor's. I am not seeing the Royal performing it this time around but wild horses wouldn't have kept me away if a certain dancer (whom we saw dance the role of Romeo so wonderfully with BRB) had been dancing Romeo!

We're with Virgin Media and have been for many years because we are on cable. I've got to say that we have never had any issues with them and they were very helpful at the start of this year when I had to change the account. I don't know if you can get Virgin Media broadband if you are not on cable services.

The view from the Manchester Evening News

Birmingham Royal Ballet are so lucky to have Sir Peter Wright's majestic and traditional production of Swan Lake. I love the dark, gothic sets and the richness of the costumes as well as the meticulous attention to detail in the choreography. I knew we were in for something special last night from the opening chord of the overture (the orchestra were on top notch form under the baton of Paul Murphy). Then William Bracewell appeared as Benno... I will say from the outset that the whole cast was on top form. The swans were just beautiful throughout Acts 2 and 4 - gorgeous synchronicity! Tryone Singleton gave the most beautifully nuanced performance as Prince Siegfried. In Act 1 he was obviously melancholy after the death of his father and weighed down by the responsibilities of his new role, as well as being told by his mother that he had to get married (Marion Tait was so commanding on the stage - a real masterclass in a character role and stage presence). But as the party organised by Benno went along you could see him visibly trying to pull himself together and enjoy himself. As for his impeccable and scintillating dancing ... if anyone was born to dance the Princely roles it has got to be Tyrone! Angela Paul and Laura Purkiss were delightful courtesans and their pas de trios with Benno was a joy to behold. William Bracewell's solo was just glorious! And then they went on the swan hunt... From the second that Celine Gittens came on stage I was captivated. She was fragile and vulnerable. The adagio was so beautiful I was in tears, as I was indeed as she and Siegfried were forced apart at the end of the Act. Yvette Knight and Yijing Jhang were deliciously well matched as the big swans and the cygnets were a delight of synchronicity. Act 3 always looks very opulent. Gorgeous and contrasting solos from the three Princess vying for Siegfried - Elisha Willis, Samara Downs and Miki Mizutani. The look on Samara's face when she was introduced to Elisha and then Miki was just priceless and worth the cost of the ticket on its own! The czardas were brilliantly led by Jonathan Caguioa and Ruth Brill. The Neapolitan, as danced by Laura Purkiss, Jade Heusen, Kit Holder and James Barton was total joy! Celine was a magnificent temptress as Odile and it was easy to see how Tyrone was totally taken in by her. The black swan pdd was breath-taking! Act 4 was heart-breaking and beautiful. Of course, I was shedding tears by the end! It was a magnificent start to BRB's Autumn season and I am looking forward to seeing not only the other casts this week but also Celine and Tyrone again on Saturday afternoon.

Christmas dreams come true in Northern Ballet’s The Nutcracker This winter join Northern Ballet on the ultimate family adventure as Christmas favourite, The Nutcracker, returns to the stage. Northern Ballet will tour with this enduring festive tale to Woking’s New Victoria Theatre, Newcastle Theatre Royal and Norwich Theatre Royal in November 2015 before returning to Leeds for its annual Christmas season at Leeds Grand Theatre with performances from 16 Dec 2015 to 2 Jan 2016. In the midst of a festive party, as the fire crackles and the pile of presents grows ever higher, Clara is caught up in the warmth and excitement of Christmas and becomes enthralled by her new Nutcracker doll. But, as the clock strikes midnight, her Nutcracker proves to be no ordinary toy and Clara is whisked away on the magical journey of a lifetime through a winter wonderland of dancing snowflakes and the famous Sugar Plum Fairy. Set to Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score, played live by Northern Ballet Sinfonia, Northern Ballet’s The Nutcracker features choreography and beautiful costumes by Northern Ballet’s Artistic Director David Nixon OBE, stunning Regency style sets by Charles Cusick Smith and lighting by Mark Jonathan. David Nixon OBE, said: ‘The Nutcracker is one of the world’s most popular classical ballets and holds a special place in the hearts of audiences young and old. We are delighted to once again revive this charming story and add that extra bit of sparkle to the festive season for audiences across our touring venues.’ Tickets for all venues are on sale now. For booking information see northernballet.com/nutcracker. -ENDS- Notes to Editors For more details of Northern Ballet's tour, on sale dates and booking information, please visit northernballet.com/whatson. Voted Best Company at the 2014 Taglioni European 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 47 dancers tours a combination of full-length new work and established repertoire to cities throughout the UK. Northern Ballet introduced a new strand of touring in 2015, widening the Company’s already extensive reach to include nine new venues. Northern Ballet 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. Production images and information are available via the online media centre. Production Credits Choreography, Direction & Costume Design David Nixon OBE Set Design Charles Cusick Smith Lighting Design Mark Jonathan Music Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Music Director John Pryce-Jones Reduced Orchestration John Longstaff Played live by Northern Ballet Sinfonia The Nutcracker – Tour Dates Woking, New Victoria Theatre 4 – 7 Nov 2015 Box Office 0844 871 7645 atgtickets.com/woking Newcastle Theatre Royal 10 – 14 Nov 2015 Box Office 0844 811 2121 theatreroyal.co.uk Norwich Theatre Royal 24 – 28 Nov 2015 Box Office 01603 630 000 theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk Leeds Grand Theatre 16 Dec 2015 – 2 Jan 2016 Box Office 0844 848 2700 leedsgrandtheatre.com

I always think it's rude to count the fouettes but suffice to say that Celine absolutely nailed them tonight! Definitely a black tutu for Odile too. This is a truly wonderful traditional production - my favourite without a shadow of a doubt.

BRB's Autumn season opened at the Lowry tonight with Swan Lake. The performance was led by the divine Celine Gittens and magnificent Tyrone Singleton. It was a fabulous start to the season! Please let us know what you think about BRB's Swan Lake on this thread. Thanks!

Well said Floss!

I hope you will report back too Dancing Shoes!

Ooooooo RDB school. If you are really very fortunate it will be the wonderful Thomas Lund (whom I believe was involved last time around). I LOVE the Bournonville style!! Please report back!

I do hope you will tell us about the performance SBF after you have seen it. You could well be seeing a star in the making!

Welcome to the Forum, Myth Australia. I do hope you will continue to join in! As a Friend of BRB, a company which has nurtured a number of Australian-born dancers over the years, I have found the Australian dancers I have met to have a confidence (and perhaps lack of or hidden shyness) that is not necessarily the case with equivalent British dancers. As most people on this board will have realised there is one particular Australian dancer who has been a favourite of mine since he joined BRB (and is now with RB)! I seem to have exceeded my monthly allowance for The Stage but I saw that there is an article about the medal winners in the current edition.

No press release with details yet but it looks as though R&J casting is starting to emerge on the ENB website: http://www.ballet.org.uk/whats-on/romeojuliet/

It looks awful on my iPhone!

We saw Jiri Bubenicek guesting at POB in 2006. As he was not listed in the programme we believe he was a last minute replacement appearing in Lady of the Camellias with Agnes Le Testu (and still the performance I have shed most tears over - my friend and I were beyond the power of speech for at least an hour afterwards). I believe he was invited back after that too.

Hello Munchkin, If you are still reading this thread - did you decide which cast to go for? Don't forget to tell us what you thought of the performance too!

Hello Hattiesmum and welcome out of the lurking shadows. Do let us know how your dd gets on.

I've moved the O/T posts to another more appropriate thread.

I was saddened over the weekend to hear of the passing away of Jackie Collins. She always came over as an erudite and lovely person and while her books were 'racy' for their time I was an avid reader of them when I was younger. I thought they were very well written. Condolences to her family and friends.

I haven't particularly found the tone of this specific thread depressing but taken in conjunction with the Osipova thread in News I think it leads to depressing overall.

I once knew a lady from Northern Italy who had white-blonde hair, and I gather blonde is not an unusual hair colour in the north of the country. I tend not to get hung up on hair colour.

I saw a dancer as Juliet many years ago and was so unmoved I chose not to see her in that role again. Some years later I was invited to go with a friend who had an extra ticket - it was for the dancer I had not wanted to see but I went anyway. What I had not given a thought to was the fact that over around 10 years the dancer had matured into the role and I was totally blown away by her performance! I was so glad I had gone to see what turned out to be a wonderful and rewarding performance. I can appreciate your points Penelope, and realise I am lucky to follow companies where the ticket prices are considerably cheaper than top price tickets at ROH, but I would still give her one chance.

How do you know whether you like her work or not if you have never tried any of her books. I read a number of them some years ago and, ok they were "racy" for those days but I thought they were well written and I enjoyed them. Jackie Collins always came over as a lovely and erudite lady when she was being interviewed. RIP Jackie Collins.

Here are some extant threads about Block booties: http://www.balletcoforum.com/index.php?/topic/8212-bloch-bootie-size/?hl=%2Bbloch+%2Bbooties#entry115358 http://www.balletcoforum.com/index.php?/topic/9050-new-bloch-booties/?hl=%2Bbloch+%2Bbooties http://www.balletcoforum.com/index.php?/topic/9698-cleaning-bloch-booties/?hl=%2Bbloch+%2Bbooties

Not as far as I am aware. I believe Peter Shaufuss owns the rights (but stand to be corrected if not).