Jan McNulty

Neither!!! I just like the design. As well as the toaster and kettle, worktop savers, storage boxes, placemats, jewellery box, dressmaker's model and mini version of same have been produced as well... (It's called beautiful birds and is available at Dunelm!)

Yabin Studio & Eastman / Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui GENESIS生长 UK Premiere Monday 28 & Tuesday 29 September 2015 Performances at 7.30pm Tickets: £12 - £38 Ticket Office: 020 7863 8000 or www.sadlerswells.com Commissioned by Yabin Studio, choreographed by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and produced by Yabin Studio and Eastman Acclaimed contemporary dancer and choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and leading Chinese dance artist Yabin Wang bring the UK premiere of their new work, GENESIS 生长 to Sadler’s Wells on 28 & 29 September 2015. The first dance work to have been commissioned from a European choreographer by a dance artist working in mainland China, GENESIS生长 had its World Premiere at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing in 2013, and has since toured throughout Europe. Set to live music with roots in Africa, India, Japan, China and Poland, GENESIS生长 is a show about origin. We are born and then we die, and in the meantime we undergo constant testing and increasing estrangement from the natural world. The production translates philosophical ideas about life, the pressures imposed on us by society to perform and conform, into beautiful sequences of movement in which east and west, life and death, come together. GENESIS生长 marks the first London appearance of Yabin Wang. She will dance alongside six other dancers, three from Eastman and three from Yabin Studio, her company. It features an electronic score by composer Olga Wojciechowska, set designs by Liu Kedong and costume design by Li Quing. Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui is a Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist. He has created more than 20 works including zero degrees, Babel Sutra and m¡longa and is acknowledged as one of Europe’s most exciting choreographers. He continues to work with a variety of theatres, opera houses and ballet companies from around the world including Dutch National Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, GöteborgsOperan Danskompani, Bunkamura Theatre Cocoon in Tokyo and Stuttgart Ballet. Cherkaoui received international acclaim for his choreography in Joe Wright’s feature film Anna Karenina (2012). Earlier this year, Cherkaoui was announced as the new Artistic Director of Royal Ballet Flanders from August 2015, a role he will take on alongside his work with Eastman. Larbi is currently working with Benedict Cumberbatch on the movement for Hamlet at Barbican directed by Lyndsey Turner. Yabin Wang founded Yabin Studio in 2009 and has since produced numerous dance performances under the name of Yabin & Her Friends. Yabin Studio produces full-length dance programmes and commissions choreographers from the US, Europe and China to create new work. Trained in classic Chinese dance at the Beijing Dance Academy, Wang choreographed and danced in Zhang Yimou’s internationally renowned feature film House of Flying Daggers (2004). In 2014, Artistic Director of the English National Ballet Tamara Rojo invited Wang to choreograph work for a new triple bill entitled She Said,alongside two other female choreographers Aszure Barton and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa. The new work will premiere at Sadler’s Wells in April 2016. Looking forward to her London debut, Yabin Wang said, “I was very proud to take this major step in commissioning work from an acclaimed European choreographer and am delighted to be bringing it to Sadler’s Wells. GENESIS生长 builds on the ethos of Yabin & Her Friends – to bring together the best in the dance world to create world class works. It’s all about the participation and collaboration by and of Chinese dance artists with dance artists from other parts of the world.” On working with Yabin Wang, Larbi said, “She first mentioned the possibility of working together four years ago, and we have been developing the idea ever since. I always work on several projects in parallel. That gives me the chance to work on a production over a number of years to allow it time to mature...it is thanks to her invitation that GENESIS生长 was created.” A Sadler’s Wells co-production Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui is a Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist The Monument Trust supports co-productions and new commissions at Sadler's Wells Notes to Editors: Listings information Yabin Studio & Eastman / Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui GENESIS生长 UK Premiere Monday 28 & Tuesday 29 September 2015 Performances at 7.30pm Tickets: £12 - £38 Ticket Office: 020 7863 8000 or www.sadlerswells.com About Sadler’s Wells Sadler's Wells is a world leader in contemporary dance, 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 international award-winning commissions and collaborative productions regularly tour the world. Sadler’s Wells supports 16 appointed world class 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 in 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 9% of its revenue from Arts Council England. About Yabin Dance Studio Founded by Chinese dancer and choreographer Yabin Wang in 2009 in Beijing, Yabin Dance Studio produces full length dance programmes and commissions new works from choreographers from the US, Europe and China. It has produced numerous dance performances under the name of Yabin & Her Friends. About Eastman Founded in January 2010, Eastman was set up to produce and spread the work of artistic director/choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. Cherkaoui’s work provides the audience with a vast array of projects and collaborations; ranging from con-‐‐ temporary dance, theatre, ballet, opera, musical and other forms of performance. His non-‐hierarchical thinking on movement, body language and culture is the basis of his artistical approach. Set in his native harbor city of Antwerp (Belgium), Eastman forms the central point for all of Cherkaoui’s work. Since the foundation in 2010, Cherkaoui created amongst others Babel (words), Play, Rein, TeZukA, Puz/zle ,4D and GENESIS 生 长 under the wings of Eastman. Eastman also coordinates all the work of Cherkaoui for other organizations. Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui is associate artist at Sadler’s Wells (London, UK). International partners of Eastman include Sadler’s Wells (London), la Monnaie (Brussels), Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg, Grande Halle de La Villette (Paris), Theaterfestival Boulevard ‘s Hertogenbosch, Festspielhaus Sankt-‐Pölten, Fondazione Musica per Roma. Eastman is resident at deSingel International Art Campus (Antwerp) and is supported by the Flemish authorities and BNP Paribas Foundation.

Birmingham Royal Ballet seem to be experimenting with cheaper tickets for mixed programmes from this coming Autumn. They are also (as they have done for a couple of years now) charging lower prices for performances at the start of the week.

There are a couple of threads on the News Forum but, as yet, only the RBS has a list of graduate destinations: Royal Ballet School English National Ballet School Northern Ballet School Manchester Please put any comments about specific schools on those threads. Thanks

Whew - panic over! I bought a new toaster and kettle last week (because they match some of my bedding not because I needed them!) and have used both successfully. I just decided I felt like a round of toast so I put a sandwich thin in the toaster and one half must have slipped right down some how! It took me 10 minutes of shaking and maneuvering to get it out!! Fortunately no damage was done. I guess it was because it was so thin that I had the problem. I shall stick to toasting crumpets in future!

Here are some links about Jet Glue that may be of use to you: http://www.balletcoforum.com/index.php?/topic/4814-jet-glue-for-hardening-pointe-shoes/ https://buddingballerina.wordpress.com/2013/04/24/the-resurrection-of-the-pointe-shoes-jet-glue/

Sorry I don't know the answer but I have amended the title to make it clearer.

Angela, I've had a look at the website and all the dancers seem to be joining in Summer 2015. Do you know what has happened to the dancers who were with the Forsythe company?

I've had a quick look at the dancer biographies - they all seem to be coming to the company this summer. The only works listed for performance are by Godani. Effectively this seems to be an entirely new company!

The one in Manchester or Leeds? NB Leeds CAT does not cover upper school.

BRB has announced that ballet training sessions will be held around the UK (near their tour venues) for local ballet students. http://brb.org.uk/DfL-Training-on-tour.html Ballet Training classes are held in our touring venues, supporting and making Birmingham Royal Ballet's tour accessible to local ballet students. The workshops are linked to the current repertoire and led by a professional artist and a pianist. Sometimes there will be additional events available such as make-up demonstrations, an insight into the costumes or talks with Birmingham Royal Ballet dancers. Over time you could build up great experience of our wide-ranging and innovative choreography. The Lowry, Salford Swan Lake ballet repertoire workshops Sunday 27 September 2015 10.00-11.30am, Grade 2-3: £16.50 11.45am-1.30pm, Grade 4-5/ Inter foundation: £19.50 2.15-4.15pm, Grade 6+/ Intermediate/ Advanced: £21.50 Click here to download your application form and submit by 11 September. Roland Levinsky Building, Plymouth University Swan Lake ballet repertoire workshops Friday 16 October 2015 4.00-5.15pm, Grade 2-3: £13.50 5.30 – 6.45pm, Grade 4-5/ Inter foundation: £13.50 7.00-8.30pm, Grade 6+/ Intermediate/ Advanced: £16.50 Click here to download your application form and submit by 2 October. Kathleen Davis Stage School, Sunderland Swan Lake ballet repertoire workshops Friday 23 October 2015 4.15-5.15pm, Ballet/ repertoire class (Grades 2-3): £11.50 5.30-6.45pm, Ballet/ repertoire class (Grades 4-5/Inter found): £13.50 7.00-8.30pm, Ballet and repertoire class (Grades 6/Intermediate+): £16.50 Click here to download your application form and submit by 7 October. Grand Opera House, Belfast Swan Lake ballet repertoire workshops Friday 6 November 2015 4.00-5.15pm, Grade 2-3: £13.50 5.30 – 6.45pm, Grade 4-5/ Inter foundation: £13.50 7.00-8.30pm, Grade 6+/ Intermediate/ Advanced: £16.50 Click here to download your application form and submit by 16 October. Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Swan Lake ballet repertoire workshops Friday 13 November 2015 4.00-5.15pm, Grade 2-3: £13.50 5.30 – 6.45pm, Grade 4-5/ Inter foundation: £13.50 7.00-8.30pm, Grade 6+/ Intermediate/ Advanced: £16.50 Click here to download your application form and submit by 2 November.

The charge was still showing as pending on my credit card this morning so I put in a query to TfL on line. Imagine my surprise when a young man from TfL telephoned me about an hour later to go through what I had done on Saturday. He explained that the transaction was showing as "failed" and that if the credit card charge was confirmed I just needed to contact them again and it would be refunded. What wonderful customer service!

As previously announced by Northern Ballet, Archie Sullivan, Kaylee Marko and Diogo Barbosa are joining NB,

I've used the contact form to ask the school. I would imagine that either someone has loaded the message incorrectly or they have set up a marker for future publication that should not be visible.

It's in the pending transactions on my credit card. I'll keep checking to see what happens. Thanks for the information Jane.

Don't laugh but I am having dreadful problems topping up my Oyster Card PAYG. When I was coming to London in May, I topped up on line but then discovered that I wasn't starting a tube journey at Euston (where I had elected to validate the payment). I would have started a journey there but there was a queue to use the escalator into the station and I just didn't have time to hang around. I knew there was enough money on my card for any journeys that day so I went for the bus instead. I didn't end up passing through Euston on my way home either and the money was refunded to my account. I was in London on Saturday and queued for 20 minutes in the tube station to top my card up at one of the automated machines (Euston is a total nightmare at the moment) using my non-contactless credit card to pay. It all seemed to work. I trundled off to get the bus but came back to Euston on the tube. Yesterday I checked my Oyster card balance and the top-up has not appeared. I thought if you topped up at a machine the money went on your card straight away so I can't understand what has happened. Any ideas?

Thanks for the update Regattah. It's so nice to hear how well your younger DD is progressing.

Congratulations to all the promotees, best wishes to the leavers and good luck to the joiners!

This is just one Funny Cats scared of random things:

Do you mean this one Alison? HILARIOUS!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTzhAJTXOJA

Happy Birthday Bruce!

A friend very kindly got me a ticket for a performance when ordinary Friends booking opened and I'm very happy with the seat. Today, out of interest, I looked at the performance I am already booked for and there were several tickets showing for the row I am booked on but on the day my friend booked it was the last seat on the row. Presumably this is because seats are held back for public booking.

BTW (and only because his name is in the title of the thread) Mr Campbell's twitter feed has taken off again! He is involved in a project with Adam Cooper, Laura Morera and Sam Archer doing A Soldier's Tale in Japan, opening next Friday! http://heishi2015.tumblr.com/ http://www.adam-cooper.com/currenteventsset.htm

Lewis Landini of Scottish Ballet has released a short film via The Skinny: http://www.theskinny.co.uk/videos/entertainment/scottish-ballet-film-replay

A Sadler’s Wells co-production Russell Maliphant Company Conceal | Reveal World premiere and tour Friday 2 October - Saturday 28 November 2015 Sadler’s Wells presents the world premiere and tour of Conceal | Reveal from Friday 2 October to Saturday 28 November 2015, a celebration of the 20th anniversary of one of the most prolific and highly acclaimed artistic collaborations, between contemporary dance choreographer Russell Maliphant and lighting designerMichael Hulls. This Sadler’s Wells and Russell Maliphant Company co-production, which tours across the UK and internationally, honours the unique and unparalleled language between light and movement that these two award-winning Sadler’s Wells Associate Artists have developed over the past two decades. To mark the occasion and celebrate this extraordinary relationship, Russell Maliphant Company presents both new and classic work, including the iconic trio Broken Fall, performed by Carys Staton, Adam Kirkham andNathan Young and accompanied by music from Barry Adamson. The piece was originally performed in 2003 by Sylvie Guillem and the BalletBoyz, Michael Nunn and William Trevitt, and was awarded an Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production in 2004. The evening also sees the return to dance of former Royal Ballet dancer Dana Fouras, after over 10 years, who performs a new solo created specially for the occasion by Maliphant. Some of Maliphant’s most famous works, Sheer and Two, have been created for Fouras, who has worked with him on numerous dance works for stage, film and television. The new solo piece features a commissioned score by cutting edge composer Mukuland costume by iconic fashion designer Stevie Stewart. The other new creation performed in the programme is a quintet for the new line-up of Maliphant’s company of outstanding dancers. The piece sees Maliphant’s continued fascination with the bridge between classical and contemporary movement, exploring how the dynamic architecture of light informs the performers’ physical language and feeds their relationship with the rhythmic, energetic and emotional elements of music. Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Russell Maliphant said: “Movement and articulation for me have a logic related to flow, gravity, dynamics, line, form, rhythm and space. These elements can be seen not only to relate to the body but also to the shape, form, direction and intensity of light.” He continued: “Michael and I both share an interest in sculpture and the way light and movement interact and we follow this in our work together – whether this means dealing with the frame implied by a light, the intensity of brightness, the direction of movement in a transition or the rhythmic interplay of the elements.” Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Michael Hulls said: “Over our twenty years of collaboration Russell and I have put lighting at the forefront of the process of creating dance. No matter what the production, our aim has always been to combine the choreography of the body and the choreography of light to create a symbiotic whole in which both those elements can reach their full potential.” Sadler’s Wells Artistic Director and Chief Executive Alistair Spalding said: “With this production we are honouring not just two of our Associate Artists, but the outstanding artistic achievements made between them collaboratively. Russell and Michael share a passion for and dedication to innovative dance making and their extraordinary partnership has created some of the most memorable performances in dance over the last 20 years. This is a fitting tribute to their combined vision that has won such acclaim among UK audiences and all over the world.” Russell Maliphant is one of the longest standing Associate Artists of Sadler’s Wells. During his hugely successful career he has received many of the highest theatrical accolades including an Olivier Award, two South Bank Show Awards and three Critics' Circle Awards. Similarly, Michael Hulls has won several awards including an Olivier for Outstanding Achievement in Dance in 2014 and a Knight of Illumination Award. Conceal | Reveal is co-produced by Sadler’s Wells and Russell Maliphant Company and supported by Arts Council England, and co-commissioned by DanceEast, The Lowry Salford Quays and The Point Eastleigh. The Monument Trust supports co-productions and new commissions at Sadler's Wells. TOUR DATES 2-3 October – DanceEast, Ipswich, UK 6-7 October – Roma Europa, Rome, Italy 15-16 October – The Point, Eastleigh, UK 22 October – The Lowry, Salford Quays, UK 3 November – Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, UK 10 November – Lakeside, Nottingham, UK 13 November – Northcott, Exeter, UK 17 November – Weston Auditorium, University of Hertfordshire, UK 20 November – The Lighthouse, Poole, UK 26-28 November – Sadler’s Wells, London, UK NOTES TO EDITORS: Sadler’s Wells Sadler's Wells is a world leader in contemporary dance, 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 international award-winning commissions and collaborative productions regularly tour the world. Sadler’s Wells supports 16 appointed world class 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, its Wild Card initiative and its New Wave Associates. Located in Islington in 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 9% of its revenue from Arts Council England. Russell Maliphant Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Russell Maliphant trained at the Royal Ballet School and graduated into Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet Company before leaving to pursue a career in independent dance. As a dancer he worked with companies such as DV8 Physical Theatre, Michael Clark & Company, Laurie Booth and Rosemary Butcher and also studied anatomy, physiology and bio-mechanics. He became certified as a practitioner of the Rolfing Method of Structural Integration in 1994 and this has subsequently informed both his teaching and choreographic work. He created his first solo in 1992 and formed the Russell Maliphant Company in 1996 which has sought to integrate and explore elements from a diverse range of body practices and techniques, including classical ballet, contact improvisation, yoga, capoeira, tai chi & chi gung. He has collaborated closely with the lighting designer Michael Hulls, and in addition to working with his own company of dancers, has set works on renowned companies and artists including: Sylvie Guillem, Robert Lepage, The Ballet Boyz, Lyon Opera Ballet, Ricochet Dance Company, CobosMika, The Batsheva Ensemble, and Ballet de Lorraine. He has been the recipient of several awards including two Olivier Awards for, a Critics Circle National Dance Award for Best Choreography (Modern) and a South Bank Show Award. Michael Hulls Michael trained in dance and theatre at Dartington College and in 1992 was awarded a bursary by the Arts Council to attend dance lighting workshops with Jennifer Tipton in New York. Over the last 20 years Michael has worked exclusively in dance, particularly with choreographer Russell Maliphant, and established a reputation as a “choreographer of light”. Their collaborations have won international critical acclaim and many awards: Sheer won a Time Out Award for Outstanding Collaboration, Choice won a South Bank Show Dance Award, PUSH, with Sylvie Guillem, won four major awards including the Olivier for Best New Dance Production and Afterlight won two Critics Circle awards. In 2009, Michael became an Associate Artist of Sadler’s Wells, the first non-choreographer to do so. In 2010, his contribution to dance was recognised with his entry into the Oxford Dictionary of Dance, where he joins Jean Rosenthal, Jennifer Tipton and John B Read as only the fourth lighting designer to be given an entry. Michael was nominated for the 2012 Theatre Managers Association award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance for his “brilliant contribution to lighting for dance; in particular for DESH, Torsion and The Rodin Project”. In 2014 Michael received the Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance. Dana Fouras Dana Fouras trained as a classical dancer in Australia and at The Royal Ballet School. She won Adeline Genée Silver medals in 1984 & 1985 and Prix de Lausanne medal in 1986. On joining The Royal Ballet in 1988 she created the role of Lead Girl in Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Soirée Musical and danced roles such as Juliet in MacMillan’s Romeo & Juliet, Solo Swan in Swan Lake, Requiem and My Brother My Sisters and created leading roles with choreographers Page, Bintley & Tuckett. In 1994 she left the Royal Ballet to pursue a career in independent dance, touring with Irek Mukhamedov, Jonathon Burrows and Russell Maliphant. Works with Russell include the duet Sheer, which won a Time Out Live Award in 2001 and the solo Two. Dana has worked closely with Russell on numerous dance works, film for dance and commercial projects as researcher and collaborative assistant since 1998. Mukul Mukul is co-director of ambientspace, an artist-run studio in London that produces critical, intermedia work, often involving public participation. He plays predominantly with sound, language, and processes; past projects include an audio-visual performance based on the preparation of food, and a (playable) harp with strings of razor wire. As sound artist, he composes for experimental film (Manu Luksch, Isaac Julien) and dance (Shobana Jeyasingh, BalletBoyz). His writing ranges from film scripts (FACELESS, voiced by Tilda Swinton) to nonfiction in the realms of art, mathematics and technology – including books for children. Influences: the music of North India, early electronic music, Oulipo. Mukul has collaborated on 5 projects with Russell including a commission for Lyon Opera Ballet (2004) and for Bayerische Staatsballett (2014). Stevie Stewart Formally one half of the innovative and influential fashion design label BodyMap, Stevie now works with top creative names in fashion, music, film and advertising as a costume, set and production designer and fashion stylist. In the dance world, she began collaborating with Michael Clark in 1984, creating memorable costumes for many of his productions. She has also costumed Rambert Dance Company and Jean Abreau. She has had previous collaborations with Russell Maliphant Company and worked with him on Afterlight and Still Current. Other theatrical collaborations include: costume design for Jan-Willem van den Bosch’s Mother Courage and her Children (Graeae Theatre Company) and costume designs for The Importance of Being Earnest directed by David Fielding (Bristol Old Vic). Film credits include: production and costume designer for Jan Dunn’s Ruby Blue, costume designer for Baillie Walsh’s Flashbacks of a Fool starring Daniel Craig and costume and production design for Jan Dunn’s The Calling. Stevie has also designed costumes for several international music tours including Kylie Minogue’s KYLIEX2008, Show Girl and Homecoming and most recently her Aphrodite tour. Stevie worked on William Baker’s The Hurly Burly Show as costume and set designer.