Jan McNulty

SADLER’S WELLS PLAYS LATITUDE FESTIVAL 2015 Since 2008 Sadler’s Wells has presented dance at Latitude Festival to audiences in excess of 45,000 people across the years. This summer, the UK’s leading dance house, returns for an eighth consecutive year presenting a diverse programme of world-class dance in all its forms on the Waterfront Stage from Thursday 16 – Sunday 19 July 2014. This year’s highlights include five of the BBC Young Dancer Grand Finalists performing together for the first time since the Grand Final which was held at Sadler’s Wells and broadcast on BBC Two on Saturday 9 May 2015; and Titanium, an unprecedented fusion between flamenco, hip-hop and breakdance, by award-winning flamenco duo Ángel Rojas and Carlos Rodríguez, co-founders of the flamenco dance company Nuevo Ballet Español. Sadler’s Wells’ Chief Executive & Artistic Director Alistair Spalding says: “We are delighted to be returning to the beautiful setting of the Waterfront Stage for our eighth year and to be part of Latitude’s 10th anniversary. Latitude continues to provide us with a platform to present dance to new audiences, many of whom are seeing the art form for the first time. This year’s programme will be an exciting showcase of some of the work on offer at Sadler’s Wells and the many projects we support.” Opening Sadler’s Wells’ programme and the inaugural performance on the Waterfront Stage for 2015 is Titanium by Rojas & Rodríguez onThursday 16 July at 8.30pm. This high-energy show sees an all-male cast of nine dancers bring together three dance styles - flamenco, hip-hop and breakdance - which all share a history of improvised movement, dance battles, live music and community spirit. Titanium is one of the most ambitious incarnations of urban flamenco, earning critical acclaim across a European tour, and winning a National Dance Award in Spain. Joining the multi-talented cast of three flamenco dancers, three hip hop dancers and three b-boys on stage is a live band mixing flamenco with urban beats, offering audiences a new perspective on the commonality between different dance traditions. The company perform again on Friday 17 July at 2.30pm. On Saturday 19 July at 3.20pm Sadler’s Wells presents one of the UK’s leading dance companies Rambert. Featuring some of the most distinctive and creative dancers working in Britain today, the company return to Latitude with Christopher Bruce’s iconic production Rooster, a celebration of the swinging Sixties set to music by the Rolling Stones. A series of virtuoso courtship dances performed by sharp-suited, snake-hipped men and strong sassy women are accompanied by some of the Stones’ most famous tunes, including Not Fade Away, Paint It Black, As Tears Go By, Sympathy for the Devil and, naturally, Little Red Rooster. First created for Rambert in 1991, this hugely popular work is a firmly established modern classic. On Sunday 20 July at 1pm Sadler’s Wells’ showcases the creativity of young people, opening with performances from the Grand Finalists of the first ever BBC Young Dancer Award. The final saw six young dancers aged 16-20 from the fields of ballet, contemporary, hip hop and South Asian dance compete on the Sadler’s Wells stage live on BBC Two earlier this year, following four programmes on BBC Four that provided an introduction to each dance form and followed the dancers’ journeys to the Grand Final. The title was won by contemporary dancer Connor Scott who will present one of his winning dances on the Waterfront Stage alongside performances by four other Grand Finalists - Harry Barnes, Kieran Lai, Jacob O’Connell and Vidya Patel. This BBC Young Dancer showcase will provide Latitude audiences with a taste of the best of British young dance talent capturing the energy and electricity of a hip hop solo, the versatility of contemporary dance and the grace and fine detail of a South Asian dance duet. Jan Younghusband, BBC Head of Music Television Commissioning said: “The BBC is committed to helping new young talent find their way. We are delighted to work with Sadler’s Wells again to help our Young Dancers continue their journey and development by taking them to the cultural audiences at Latitude festival. I hope the festival goers enjoy seeing the dancers live on stage, we’re certainly excited to follow and support their progress in the oncoming months and years.” Completing Sunday’s double bill and closing Sadler’s Wells’ programme on the Waterfront Stage is the National Youth Dance Company(NYDC) at 2.30pm, a dynamic cohort of 38 talented young dancers (aged 15-19) selected from all over the country. The company performs a new dance work called Frame[d] created by internationally renowned contemporary dance choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui.Cherkaoui’s unique choreographic process, combined with the fresh talent of NYDC dancers, illustrates the influence and creativity that emerging dance artists can bring to a professional dance collaboration. About to go into its fourth year, NYDC has established a reputation for innovative, high quality work that produces dancers that are open-minded, curious and brave. Founded in 2012 and hosted by Sadler’s Wells, the NYDC aims to create and perform innovative and influential dance, drawing together some of the brightest young talent from across the country. Each year, 30 dancers aged 16 - 19 are selected from across England to form a new cohort within the Company and can stay with NYDC for up to three years. One of Sadler’s Wells’ internationally renowned Associate Artists or visiting company directors is appointed Guest Artistic Director for each cohort, giving the members the opportunity to learn, create, rehearse and perform new and existing work for the theatre’s main stage and aUK tour, which Latitude is part of. For more information on NYDC and the national tour visit http://www.sadlerswells.com/national-youth-dance-company/ Notes to Editor 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 its National Youth Dance Company, 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 Latitude Festival The UK’s finest multi-arts festival returns for its tenth edition, taking place from Thursday 16th to Sunday 19th July 2015 in the stunning grounds of Henham Park, Suffolk. Boasting the biggest names in comedy, theatre, dance, film, cabaret, literature and performance, Latitude is unrivalled for the breadth, depth and quality of its arts programming. 2015 is no different, offering a spectacular choice of major shows, star acts and ground-breaking commissioned works in celebration of the 10th edition of the festival which was started in 2006. Staged across the lush green acres of Henham Park and only a few miles from Suffolk’s stunning coast line, Latitude is surrounded by peaceful woodland and set around a beautiful wild lake. With award winning green credentials, Latitude is the perfect weekend getaway for anyone wanting to chill out while listening to music and being enriched by award winning arts performances. For full details head to www.latitudefestival.co.uk TICKET INFORMATION Weekend adult tickets: £192.50 face value + £8.00 booking fee per ticket Accompanied teen ticket (13-15 years): £132.50 face value + £8.00 booking fee per ticket Weekend child ticket (5-12 years): £8.00 (no booking fee) Day adult ticket: £77.50 + £7.00 booking fee per ticket Day child ticket: £5.00 (no booking fee) Campervan Permit: £40.00/£60.00/£80.00 (depending on size) / Lockers £16.00 Tickets available from www.seetickets.com/tour/latitude-festival-2015 Terms & Conditions apply.

SBF, I couldn't have put it any better myself! Lovely ideas.

Lisa, I don't know where you are expecting money from but as long as it is going in via the BACS system, it should be within your account within seconds of the "send" button being hit by the sender. If it is an automated system, unless it has changed BACS effects the transfers first thing in the morning. If you should have received money today I suggest you contact the payee as soon as possible to find out what is going on. (On 1st July 2003 I discovered that my salary hadn't been paid into my bank account. I was on leave but happened to be in Liverpool that day so went straight into work. No-one had been paid. For security reasons the pay file was prepared by one team and transferred to another team at a different location to transmit the file to BACS. Unfortunately all 3 people in the team were off and the transmission hadn't been made... We were paid on 2nd month.)

I agree with your comments about senior soloist Floss. Thing is though I have never seen, for example, Anne Jenner so I can't compare her to others. I have never seen an Ashton production with its original cast (as far as I am aware) so I can only look at something and enjoy it or not as the case might be. Of course there are dancers I prefer in specific roles but I honestly couldn't say whether they perform them as the choreographer would have wanted or not in heritage works.

Favouritism is an interesting word and one that I have been thinking about recently. Amongst my friends we all have different ideas of different dancers and obviously, much though we enjoy watching them all, there are ones we prefer and ones we personally would like to see doing specific roles. This concept must also apply to the artistic staff of the companies as well. I remember saying to the AD of a company I follow that I had enjoyed the performance of a particular dancer in a role. The response came back that yes he had been excellent but the AD had never envisaged him in this role and he had only had his chance because of others' injuries...

Eeeeeek!!!

Well I saw my final NB performance of the season tonight in Stoke (well actually the theatre is in Hanley but that is another story). It was Rachael/Javier's cast again tonight. They continue to be sublime and have grown ever more into the roles with each performance. Sean Bates was wonderful as Sharpless tonight. Not only was his dancing gorgeous to watch but his acting was exquisitie. Abby Prudames and Joseph Taylor led Perpetuum Mobile. Abby is incredibly elegant and she and Joseph have grown into this ballet more and more as the tour has progressed. Kevin Peoung continues to be sensational. This was a great performance for me to finish on. I am in Leeds on Saturday for the choreographic sharing day or wild horses wouldn't have kept me away from Aylesbury!

I must say that I find the dancers at both BRB and NB varied and full of character too.

Well I'm from Liverpool and I have never attempted Spanish but I have always said Donkey Hoe Tay! Or Don Q when talking to ballet friends.

Hello Bethclare and welcome to the Forum! Congratulations on your place at NBS. I do hope you will keep joining in.

Official announcement on the BRB website.

We saw 2 casts that were presented in Le Tricorne. Looking at the casting on paper I would have said that the ones to watch were Monica Zamora and Joseph Cipolla but the pair that were sensational were Chenca Williams and Michael O'Hare. It looked like a completely different work. I agree about Robert Parker as Belaye!

I've picked this news up from Facebook and Twitter The Board of Directors at Birmingham Royal Ballet has announced the appointment of Jan Teo as its new Chief Executive. Ms. Teo has served as a member of the Birmingham Royal Ballet Board for the past two years and has long experience in corporate management and the arts. She will take up the position in mid-September. Current Chief Executive Christopher Barron is leaving the Company in July, as announced in November.

I'm a terrible one for impulse buys but, fortunately for me, I have very rarely had regrets. One of them is a dress I bought in Tescos 2 years ago that was in the sale for £8. I never wear dresses unless I am going to a dooooo and this is not suitable for a doooooo so I suppose I will take it to a charity shop when I get round to having a clearout!

SP, I've moved your query to performances seen where I think you are more likely to get an answer. As far as I am aware, RB is the only UK based company that has Don Q in its rep. Visiting companies sometimes bring it (there was one last summer touring it around) but I don't know when it will be seen live again in this country.

Link to the Sylphide casting: http://www.eno.org/whats-on/other/la-sylphide#CAST Looking at the casting brought back memories for me - Mary McKendry was my first Giselle (in 1985) when she was with LFB and I saw and enjoyed Janette Mulligan in so many productions!

When people are nominated it is the awards committee that agrees the level of the award. https://www.gov.uk/honours/nominate-someone-in-the-uk

I only saw Eva Evdokimova dance La Sylphide once (with Peter Schaufuss) when I was a very new ballet watcher. I have never forgotten that performance. And I loved Peter Schaufuss production so I fully endorse TP on that one.

Hello Loislane and welcome to the Forum! Congratulations to your DD. I do hope you will let us know how she gets on.

It is most bizarre. I didn't recognise the name at all till I read his place of employment! Then I checked on the BRB website just to see if I had been calling him by the wrong name for the last 10 years!

Congratulations to all the honorees. I have added a few words to Ian's post above. The CE of BRB is listed as John Raymond Barron but we all know him as he is listed on the BRB website as Christopher Barron.

Welcome to the Forum Cookie Monster! Well done to your DD. I hope you will keep us posted on her progress.

How short is short? I come in at 5'3" and seem to be short these days but not amongst my contemporaries. I've noticed that when you see pictures of lady dancers scrubbed up for dooos they are often in killer heels. Perhaps it is because they are in flats all day?

Oh blummin' 'eck! I did think it seemed short notice for this year...

Thanks Angela!