Jan McNulty

Dance Europe have published a stunning gallery: http://www.danceeurope.net/gallery/romeo-and-juliet-ch-maillot-northern-ballet

I saw Geneva Ballet performing this version of Romeo and Juliet in 2000 and have to admit to being less than whelmed by it so you can imagine how I felt that Northern Ballet would be performing this same production by Jean Chrisophe Maillot. OK, so it's 15 years later, I've seen a lot more performances of different works, I'm older, not necessarily wiser but my tastes may well have changed and, of course, I know Northern Ballet. The Northern Ballet premiere of this production was in Edinburgh last night. The house looked pretty packed and there was a definite buzz in the audience. What can I say ... 15 years later I was swept away by the performance I saw last night! The curtain opens and Romeo is sat at the side of the stage. The set is very minimalist ... curved white screens on various sizes and a ramp, all of which were moved round to create different settings. As the overture is playing the screen on the right hand side shows the credits for the production and the main casting. A surprise but welcome. Talking in the interval to the gentleman sat next to me he thought it was a brilliant innovation. Friar Lawrence pulls everything together in this production; he is an anguished soul who thinks that the romance between Romeo and Juliet will bring peace to the warring factions. On the opening night Isaac Lee Baker was magnificent in the role. Romeo and Juliet were danced by Giuliano Contadini and Martha Leebolt, Romeo is very gauche and almost innocent in this production. Juliet is more knowing and, although they are attracted to each other it is she who takes the lead. Both these dancers gave a wonderful interpretation of their characters and had a great rapport. Martha has got to be one of the best dance actresses of the current generation and it is always a privilege to watch her. Matthew Koon was spectacular as Mercutio and Sean Bates joyous as Benvolio, Javier Torres' brooding performance as Tybalt dominated the stage. Lucia Solari as Lady Capulet both wanted to see her daughter married to Paris but also perhaps felt the pain of her daughter facing an arranged/forced marriage - a wonderfully layered performance. Antoinette Brooks Daw was a delight as the Nurse, a girl not much older than Juliet perhaps which made perfect sense of how much she helped Juliet achieve her aim of marrying Romeo. Joseph Taylor was an effective Paris but in this production has comparitively little to do. Abigail Prudames was a slinky Rosaline. The costumes were timeless but if anything reminded me of Etruscan or Ancient Greek costumes. The ladies dresses flowed beautifully and I really liked them. At the start of Act 2 there was a "puppet show" which I didn't care for but apart from that I liked the choreography very much. It took Northern Ballet's dancers right out of their comfort zone and they looked absolutely fabulous in their new zone. A major plus of this production are that there is no prolonged death scene for Mercutio or Tybalt! I found the production to be modern and compelling and I can't wait to see a couple more performances in Leeds next week!

I have just seen on TV the very sad news that Leonard Nimoy has passed away at the age of 83. Here is the NY Times obituary

Wild Card KATYE COE: PREPARATION Lilian Baylis Studio Friday 24 April Performance: 8pm, plus pre-show activities Tickets: £17 Ticket Office: 0844 412 4300 or www.sadlerswells.com The second Wild Card evening this spring Katye Coe: Preparation is curated at the Lilian Baylis Studio at Sadler’s Wellson Friday 24 April, and follows Tim Casson’s Wild Card evening CASSON & FRIENDS on Wednesday 18 March. Wild Card presents specially curated evenings from a new generation of dance makers, bringing fresh perspectives to the stage. For each Wild Card, an emerging artist or producer is given the opportunity to present work they admire alongside their own work. Wild Card is part of Sadler’s Wells’ programme of support for young and emerging dance talent, alongside hosting the National Youth Dance Company, the New Wave Associates initiative and the Sadler’s Wells Summer University programme. Katye Coe is a performer, curator, dance maker and teacher. One of her latest works, ‘(to) Constantly Vent’ was recently presented at the Hayward Gallery. Her practice reaches across forms and communities, and is informed by the belief that thinking happens differently when it is located in the activity of dancing or moving. Coe curates an evening in conversation with Charlie Morrissey, dance artist, teacher and collaborator. The evening is anchored through key questions in their evolving intricate physical duet Where we are not. The audience will experience live creative decision making. Artist Graeme Miller and philosopher Alva Noë also contribute to the evening, igniting the idea of ‘preparation’ and exploring states of attention. Miller, an artist, theatre maker and composer embraces a wide range of media often creating installations and interventions. He is the co-founder of Impact Theatre Co-operative. Noë is a philosopher and author working on the nature of mind and human experience. He is currently philosopher in residence with the Forsythe Company. This will be the first time that Coe and Morrissey, who have been practising together for a number of years, will collaborate with Miller and Noë. Notes to Editors: Listings information Wild Card KATYE COE: PREPARATION Lilian Baylis Studio at Sadler’s Wells Friday 24 April 2015 Performance: 8pm, pre-show activities to be announced. See website for details. Tickets: £17 Ticket office: 0844 412 4300 / www.sadlerswells.com About Wild Card Wild Card is a Sadler’s Wells initiative which opens up the theatre’s Lilian Baylis Studio to the next generation of choreographers and dance makers. The initiative aims to bring fresh perspectives to the stage and each time gives emerging artists from different spectrums of the dance landscape the opportunity to curate a mixed bill evening of cutting edge work. Wild Card is supported by The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation and The Garrick Charitable Trust. 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 and 3 Resident Companies 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.

Hello Dancer15 and Joemill and welcome to the Forum. Please let us know how you get on.

Modern Masters Sadler’s Wells, EC1R 4TN Tuesday 10 - Sunday 15 March 2015 Performances: 7.30pm (mat 2.30pm) Tickets: £12 - £45 Box office: www.ballet.org.uk or 0844 412 4300 Presenting its first programme as an Associate Company of Sadler’s Wells, English National Ballet brings Modern Masters: Icons of 20th Century Choreography, a new triple bill, to Sadler’s Wells from the 10 - 15 March 2015. The evening’s programme includes works from two choreographers new to the Company’s repertoire, William Forsythe’s In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated and the UK premiere of Spring and Fall by John Neumeier. The triple bill also includes Jiří Kylián’s Petite Mort, first performed by the Company in Ecstasy and Death in 2013. Jiří Kylián’s Petite Mort, features six men, six women and six fencing foils, symbolising energy, silence and sexuality. Created for the Salzburg Festival in 1991, it is performed to the movements of two Mozart Piano Concerti, the A Major and the C Major. Originally created for the Hamburg Ballet, John Neumeier’s Spring and Fall is not in the repertoire of any other UK company. Set to Dvořák's Serenade for Strings in E Major, it features two couples and corps de ballet. William Forsythe created In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated at the invitation of Rudolf Nureyev when he was Director of the Paris Opera Ballet. Set against a bare stage it is performed by nine dancers to an electronic score by Dutch composer Thom Willems, culminating in a display of technical brilliance. Modern Masters Casting Casting is subject to change. Please check www.ballet.org.uk for further information Petite Mort Tuesday 10 March – Alison McWhinney and James Streeter, Adela Ramirez and Francisco Bosch, Fernanda Oliveira and Fabian Reimair, Ksenia Ovsyanick and James Forbat, Laurretta Summerscales and Junor Souza, Tamara Rojo and Max Westwell Wednesday 11 March (eve) – Alison McWhinney and James Streeter, Adela Ramirez and Francisco Bosch, Fernanda Oliveira and Fabian Reimair, Ksenia Ovsyanick and James Forbat, Laurretta Summerscales and Junor Souza, Tamara Rojo and Max Westwell Thursday 12 March (mat) – Amber Hunt and James Streeter, Shiori Kase and Yonah Acosta, Erina Takahashi and Francisco Bosch, Begoña Cao and Nathan Young, Tiffany Hedman and Ken Saruhashi, Angela Wood and Junor Souza Thursday 12 March (eve) – Alison McWhinney and James Streeter, Adela Ramirez and Francisco Bosch, Fernanda Oliveira and Fabian Reimair, Ksenia Ovsyanick and James Forbat, Laurretta Summerscales and Junor Souza, Tamara Rojo and Max Westwell Friday 13 March (eve) – Amber Hunt and James Streeter, Adela Ramirez and Francisco Bosch, Fernanda Oliveira and Fabian Reimair, Ksenia Ovsyanick and James Forbat, Laurretta Summerscales and Junor Souza, Tamara Rojo and Max Westwell Saturday 14 March (mat) – Amber Hunt and James Streeter, Shiori Kase and Yonah Acosta, Erina Takahashi and Francisco Bosch, Begoña Cao and Nathan Young, Tiffany Hedman and Ken Saruhashi, Angela Wood and Junor Souza Saturday 14 March (eve) – Alison McWhinney and James Streeter, Adela Ramirez and Francisco Bosch, Fernanda Oliveira and Fabian Reimair, Ksenia Ovsyanick and James Forbat, Laurretta Summerscales and Junor Souza, Tamara Rojo and Max Westwell Sunday 15 March (mat) – Amber Hunt and James Streeter, Shiori Kase and Yonah Acosta, Erina Takahashi and Francisco Bosch, Begoña Cao and Nathan Young, Tiffany Hedman and Ken Saruhashi, Tamarin Stott and Junor Souza Spring and Fall (in order of Lead Lady and Gentlemen) Tuesday 10 March – Alina Cojocaru, Alejandro Virelles, James Forbat, Cesar Corrales Wednesday 11 March (eve) – Alina Cojocaru, Alejandro Virelles, James Forbat, Cesar Corrales Thursday 12 March (mat) – Tamara Rojo, Max Westwell, Daniele Silingardi, Ken Saruhashi Thursday 12 March (eve) – Alina Cojocaru, Alejandro Virelles, James Forbat, Cesar Corrales Friday 13 March (eve) – Alina Cojocaru, Alejandro Virelles, James Forbat, Cesar Corrales Saturday 14 March (mat) – Alina Cojocaru, Alejandro Virelles, James Forbat, Cesar Corrales Saturday 14 March (eve) – Tamara Rojo, Max Westwell, Daniele Silingardi, Ken Saruhashi Sunday 15 March (mat) – Alina Cojocaru, Alejandro Virelles, James Forbat, Cesar Corrales In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated Tuesday 10 March – Alina Cojocaru, Begoña Cao, Laurretta Summerscales, Crystal Costa, Kei Akahoshi, Alison McWhinney, Alejandro Virelles Junor Souza, Fernando Bufala Wednesday 11 March (eve) – Erina Takahashi, Tiffany Hedman, Fernanda Oliveira, Crystal Costa, Kei Akahoshi, Alison McWhinney, James Streeter, Makoto Nakamura, Fernando Bufala Thursday 12 March (mat) – Erina Takahashi, Tiffany Hedman, Laurretta Summerscales, Crystal Costa, Anjuli Hudson, Alison McWhinney, James Streeter, Junor Souza, Fernando Bufala Thursday 12 March (eve) – Alina Cojocaru, Begoña Cao, Fernanda Oliveira, Kei Akahoshi, Anjuli Hudson, Stina Quagebeur, Alejandro Virelles, Makoto Nakamura, Barry Drummond Friday 13 March (eve) – Erina Takahashi, Tiffany Hedman, Laurretta Summerscales, Kei Akahoshi, Anjuli Hudson, Stina Quagebeur, James Streeter, Junor Souza, Barry Drummond Saturday 14 March (mat) – Erina Takahashi, Tiffany Hedman, Fernanda Oliveira, Crystal Costa, Kei Akahoshi, Stina Quagebeur, James Streeter, Makoto Nakamura, Fernando Bufala Saturday 14 March (eve) – Alina Cojocaru, Begoña Cao, Laurretta Summerscales, Crystal Costa, Kei Akahoshi, Alison McWhinney, Alejandro Virelles, Junor Souza, Fernando Bufala Sunday 15 March (mat) – Alina Cojocaru, Begoña Cao, Fernanda Oliveira, Kei Akahoshi, Anjuli Hudson, Alison McWhinney, Alejandro Virelles, Makoto Nakamura, Barry Drummond Free post-show talk with Tamara Rojo (BSL-interpreted): Wednesday 11 March, on stage For further information about English National Ballet and to book tickets visit www.ballet.org.uk Please note performance details are subject to change.

A Sadler’s Wells series =dance Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler’s Wells Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 March 2015 Performance and post show discussions (full details below or visit sadlerswells.com) Tickets: £6 - £12 (Concessions available for Access members, students, under 18s and over 60s) Ticket Office: 0844 412 4300 or www.sadlerswells.com Minicom Number: 020 7863 8015 “This renowned theatre, specialising in dance, offers a bewildering array of facilities and a visit here can be an inspirational experience, if only to see what is achievable.” The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain Sadler’s Wells completes the inaugural year of the =dance series with two programmes of work; a mixed programme entitledEquation and a triple bill from Corali dance company in the Lilian Baylis Studio on 21 & 22 March 2015. In the biggest presentation of inclusive dance ever programmed by the theatre, =dance aims to present some of the most exciting and innovative work created and performed by both established and emerging deaf and disabled artists. =dance also includes a programme of workshops, discussions and professional development opportunities alongside each performance. Opening the weekend performances on Saturday 21 March is Equation, presenting highlights from featured companies and artists from the first year of =dance, followed by a discussion around the contribution of their work to the =dance series and its impact on the dance sector. The =dance discussion will be chaired by Sadler’s Wells Artistic Director and Chief Executive, Alistair Spalding. The mixed programme includes an excerpt from Stopgap Dance Company’s Artificial Things. Stopgap Dance Company employs disabled and non-disabled artists who find innovative ways to collaborate and integrate disabled and non-disabled people through dance. Artificial Things sees a group of individuals who are slowly suffocating in each other’s company. They seek escape through riotous rock-n-roll, but their wild disorder descends into playground politics to reveal some uncomfortable truths. Artificial Things is choreographed by Lucy Bennett, one of the UK’s leading experts in integrated choreography, and is devised and danced by a cast including The 2012 Paralympic Opening Ceremony performer, David Toole. Marc Brew choreographs and performs a solo work entitled Remember When. Brew’s work fuses the physicality of contemporary dance with tender expression to explore an emotional narrative in dance. Using line and extension, intricate folding, placement and replacement, in this piece he looks at peeling away the layers to expose what it is that he remembers. The Soundman (a work in progress) is a piece by DMD. Founded by deaf choreographer Mark Smith, DMD is made up of professional dancers who are deaf, and incorporates a range of dance forms and sign language to create a unique choreographic practice. The piece is inspired by DB1's music called The SoundMan which tells the story of a man who, because he was going deaf, recorded everything from his top pocket using a recording unit, then hears back later what he has missed. Completing the line-up is independent freelance artist and Sadler’s Wells Wild Card artist, Laura Dajao who presents Missing.In 2007 Dajao was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and was in and out of a wheelchair for a year until it was necessary for her to be in it permanently in order to be mobile. Her work explores her own dance practice. Missing, a piece about the emotional journey of traumatic or difficult times in one’s life. Laura explores movement through sign language, contemporary and hip hop vocabulary. Corali Dance Company is a company of artists with and without disabilities who work across artistic disciplines with artist collaborators and educationalists. For its =dance performances on Sunday 22 March, the company presents a triple bill including its acclaimed work Empty Theatre Dream, inspired by dreams the performers have had, using dance, spoken work, live music and projected animation. The company also perform two new works including Overlap a solo which explores bringing together dance and film created independently from the same inspiration. Completing the triple bill is a new work resulting from a collaboration with Wayne McGregor | Random Dance, inspired by the company's 2013 work Atomos. After the performance the audience is invited to stay and meet the dancers and choreographers for a post-show discussion with a difference; the artists ask the questions. "Corali create extraordinarily complex and multi-layered performances and site-specific events. Corali has evolved to reflect interdisciplinary arts practice at its best" Liz Ellis Curator, Public Programmes Tate Modern Free post-show talk with Sadler’s Wells Artistic Director and Chief Executive Alistair Spalding (BSL-interpreted):Saturday 21 March, on stage Free post show discussion with a difference; the artists ask the questions: Sunday 22 March, on stage Notes to editors: 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 and 3 Resident Companies 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.

Thanks for keeping us updated Artem. I hope the company will be coming to the UK again as I missed their last visit.

Hello Hydrangea14 and welcome to the Forum. Thanks, for sharing your experiences. I hope you will let us know how your daughter gets on.

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE Direction Nancy Meckler Choreography Annabelle Lopez Ochoa Music Peter Salem Design Niki Turner Lighting Design Tim Mitchell Touring UK: Inverness, Edinburgh, London – March 2015 USA: Chicago, San Antonio, Houston, Pittsburgh, Charleston, Washington DC – May 2015 Three years after its world premiere wowed audiences across the UK, Scottish Ballet returns with its Critics’ Circle (Best Classical Choreography) and South Bank (Best Dance Production) award-winning production, A Streetcar Named Desire. One of the Company’s most popular productions, if you missed it the first time around now is your chance to find out what everyone was talking about! Following on from one of the Company’s biggest tours of all time, The Nutcracker, and an international tour to China with its iconic Romeo & Juliet, Scottish Ballet is now ready to hit the UK with its dramatic A Streetcar Named Desire. A Streetcar Named Desire will tour Inverness, Edinburgh and London before jetting off to the USA for a 4 week tour toChicago, San Antonio, Houston, Pittsburgh, Charleston and Washington DC. In a production set to a specially commissioned jazz-inspired score by award-winning composer Peter Salem, Scottish Ballet pushes the boundaries of narrative ballet with this collaboration of theatre and film director (Nancy Meckler) and choreographer (Annabelle Lopez Ochoa). “Heartbreakingly beautiful” – The Telegraph, ***** “An incredibly dynamic, exhilarating and edgy production.” – The List, ***** “A tour-de-force for Scottish Ballet.” – The Herald, ***** “The result is everything you could want of Tennessee Williams. – florid, poetic, poisonously beautiful.” – The Evening Standard This tour will see the return of Eve Mutso as Blanche and Sophie Martin in the role of Stella. Erik Cavallari will be dancing alongside as the dark and disturbed Stanley. Making his debut in the role of Stanley is Scottish principalChristopher Harrison who will be sharing the stage with rising stars Luciana Ravizzi and Sophie Laplane, embodying Blanche and Stella respectively. Trying to leave a troubled past behind her, fading southern belle Blanche DuBois moves into her sister Stella’s New Orleans apartment. Stella’s brutish husband Stanley sees that Blanche is not what she appears to be, and sets out to destroy her. “In 2012 this collaborative project pushed boundaries with an alternative approach to narrative ballet. The intensity of theatre and the characters enabled Scottish Ballet’s dancers to continue to develop their acting skills; and they haven’t looked back, bringing new drama to productions such as Romeo & Juliet, Highland Fling and The Crucible since 2012. We’re thrilled to be bringing A Streetcar Named Desire back for our audiences and to give those who may have missed their chance in the past to sit down and witness this evocative and powerful drama. To be able to not only bring it back to the UK but also overseas to the USA is a pleasure and we can’t wait to bring this production to new audiences across the world.” Christopher Hampson, Scottish Ballet Artistic Director In 2013, Scottish Ballet took A Streetcar Named Desire to the USA for the first time, right back to the city in which the story was born – New Orleans. The Company then travelled on to Florida over a period of two weeks, with the production being rapturously received across all dates. “It was a triumph in New Orleans, and for New Orleans, and one suspects that Tennessee Williams would have been mighty pleased, too.” – NOLA.com Click here for full 2015 touring dates EDITORS NOTES: Nancy Meckler Biography From 1989-2011 Nancy Meckler ran Shared Experience Theatre. Her productions which toured extensively in the UK and abroad included Anna Karenina (TMA Award Best Touring Production), A Passage to India, Heartbreak House, The Bacchae, Mother Courage, A Passage to India, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Bronte, and with co- Artistic director Polly Teale, Mill on the Floss and War and Peace. Nancy was the first woman to direct at the National Theatre (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?). As Associate Director for Hampstead Theatre, productions included Uncle Vanya, Buried Child, and West End transfers of Dennis Potter's Sufficient Carbohydrate and Pam Gems' Dusa, Fish, Stas and Vi. She was for three years Associate Director at Leicester Haymarket where she directed Macbeth, The Cherry Orchard, Twelfth Night, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She has worked for the Royal Court, Young Vic, Women's Playhouse Trust, Watermill and the Almeida where she directed Antony Sher in his own play, I.D. Nancy has directed six Sam Shepard plays, including A Particle of Dread: Oedipus Variations with Stephen Rea which played Derry City of Culture and Signature Theater in New York City in 2014. For the Royal Shakespeare Company, House of Desires, Comedy of Errors, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Alls Well that Ends Well and The Heresy of Love. Also Nancy has directed two feature films: Sister My Sister and Martin Sherman’s film about a dance company Alive and Kicking (Audience Award for Best Film, London Film Festival 1997; Grand Prix Luchon Festival; Most Popular Film San Paolo Film Festival). Nancy’s first foray into ballet is this collaboration with choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa which won Outstanding Dance Production at Southbank Awards 2012 and was an Olivier nominee for Best Dance Production. Annabelle Lopez Ochoa Biography Annabelle Lopez Ochoa completed her dance studies at the Royal Ballet Academy of Antwerp, Belgium. As a professional dancer, she appeared with various companies in Germany before joining in 1993, the modern-jazz dance company Djazzex based in The Hague. In 1997, she joined the Scapino Ballet Rotterdam, where she danced as a soloist for 7 years, and in 2003, she decided to focus her creative energies entirely to choreography. Annabelle has created works for Scapino Ballet Rotterdam, Dutch National Ballet, Djazzex, Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève, The Royal Ballet of Flanders, Gran Canaria Ballet, Gothenburg Ballet, State Modern Ballet Ankara, Pennsylvania Ballet, BalletX, BJM-Danse Montreal, Luna Negra Dance Theatre Chicago, Ballet National de Marseille, Saarbrucken Ballet, Jacoby & Pronk, Chemnitzer Ballet and Ballet Hispanico. The critically acclaimed Before After which Annabelle created for the Dutch National Ballet in 2002 has been performed at the Dance Passion Festival in the Netherlands, the New York Fall for Dance Festival, the Houston Dance Salad Festival, the 2007 Orange County Fall for Dance Festival, the 2010 Murcia Gala (Spain) and throughout Sweden by the Gothenburg Ballet. Annabelle has won several choreography prizes; in 2002 with Clair/Obscur at the Hannover’s Choreographers competition and in 2003 the first prize and public’s prize with Replay at the International Choreographer’s Competition of Bornem. In 2007, she was selected to participate with the prestigious New York Choreographic Institute, and in 2009, her pieces Zip Zap Zoom (BJM-Danse Montreal) and Nube Blanco (Luna Negra Dance Theater) were included in the list of 10 best dance highlights of the year. Her piece One, created for independent artist Drew Jacoby and Rubinald Pronk has been acquired by Christopher Wheeldon’s Company Morphoses and presented at Sadlers’ Wells in London, Vail and New York City Centre in 2008 as well as at the Dance Salad Festival in Houston, Titas Gala in Cincinatti and on the YAPG tour to Mexico. In 2010, Annabelle reworked the duet ONE into a quartet especially for Jacob’s Pillow Festival. Dancer Biographies Eve Mutso studied at the Tallinn Ballet School, Estonia, in 1999. She went on to join the Estonian National Ballet, dancing Olympia in Bigonzetti’s Coppélia, Helen in Cannito’s Cassandra and solo roles in Anna Karenina, Esmeralda, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Giselle. Eve joined Scottish Ballet in 2003. She was nominated by the Critics Circle National Dance Awards for the Richard Sherrington Award for Best Female Dancer in 2005 and 2013. In 2011, Eve performed as a guest artist with Estonian National Ballet dancing the title role in Kenneth MacMillan's Manon. Eve was promoted to Principal in March 2014. Sophie Martin was born in the French city of Cherbourg, trained at the Conservatory National Supérieur of Paris under the tuition of Noëlla Auguste, and performed with the Junior Ballet. She has also worked with leading dancers and choreographers in France. She joined Scottish Ballet in 2003 and was promoted to Principal in August 2008. Sophie was number 20 in The List magazine’s Hot 100 poll of influential figures in Scottish culture in December 2008. She received the award for Outstanding Female Performance (Classical) at the 2011 Critic’s Circle National Dance Awards. In 2014, Sophie performed at the XX Commonwealth Games opening ceremony alongside fellow Principal Christopher Harrison, and the Ryder Cup Gala Concert with Lewis Landini. Erik Cavallari was born in Brescia, Italy and trained at the Associazione Balletto Classico under the guidance of Marinel Stefanescu. He joined the company in 1997 and performed as a soloist, dancing in classic and neoclassic repertory. In 1999 he appeared with the Ballet de Victor Ullate in Madrid and joined Scottish Ballet in 2001. He was promoted to Principal in 2004. Christopher Harrison trained at The Dance School of Scotland, and The Royal Ballet Upper School. Christopher joined Dresden State Opera, Germany, in 2001 and danced solo roles in Neumeier’s The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as well as Derevianko’s Giselle and Don Quixote, and Lazzini’s La Fille mal gardée. He joined Scottish Ballet in summer 2005, was promoted to Coryphée in July 2007 and to Principal in 2013. Christopher Harrison is sponsored by Artemis. Luciana Ravizzi was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and trained at the Royal Ballet School, going on tour with the Royal Ballet and dancing in Swan Lake and Giselle. She joined Scottish Ballet in 2002 and was promoted to Soloist in March 2014. Luciana is sponsored by Baillie Guifford Sophie Laplane trained at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Paris winning the Prize of the CNSMDP Mention Bien. Prior to this, she trained at the Paris Opera Ballet School. She danced with Le Ballet de Lorraine and The Junior Ballet Classique du Conservatoire de Paris. Sophie joined Scottish Ballet in winter 2004, and was promoted to Coryphée in July 2011. A Streetcar Named Desire in 2012 Prior to the anticipated world premiere in 2012, Nancy Meckler said, “Coming into the world of dance from a theatre background is a new and thrilling adventure. I have hugely enjoyed the process of working with Annabelle to explore exciting ways to re-imagine Tennessee Williams' passionate story through the imagery of dance.” Annabelle and Nancy powerfully translated this incredible story about desires into dance movement. “From the moment I first read A Streetcar Named Desire, I knew I wanted to make it into a ballet,” says Annabelle. “It was a wonderful challenge to reinterpret the intense drama and complex psychology of the characters, and the chemistry of the collaboration is incredible.” Nancy, Artistic Director for Shared Experience Theatre, has previously directed for the National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company amongst others, and on Broadway and in the West End. She has also directed two feature films – Sister My Sister and Alive and Kicking. Annabelle is an award-winning choreographer and has made works for Dutch National Ballet, The Royal Ballet of Flanders and more, and created choreography for international fashion designers Viktor & Rolf. This joint collaboration with Nancy and Annabelle explores a powerful infusion of drama and dance, set to a brand new jazz score, played live by the Scottish Ballet orchestra, from composer Peter Salem whose most recent work included the music for critically acclaimed three-part BBC drama Five Daughters. This award-winning production for Scottish Ballet also features striking vintage styled costumes and an atmospheric stripped back yet powerful set from designer Niki Turner. Education and Outreach Scottish Ballet presents a range of opportunities to find out more about the themes and making of this brand new production through its Get Closer activities. Hear about the making of A Streetcar Named Desire direct from members of Scottish Ballet’s Artistic and Music staff at a range of free pre-show talks throughout the tour or discover the inspiration behind the choreography, music and designs and watch the Company taking class on stage by attending an Insight event. http://www.scottishballet.co.uk/a-streetcar-named-desire/get-closer.html Listings Scottish Ballet presents A Streetcar Named Desire UK Eden Court Theatre, Inverness Thu 12 – Sat 14 Mar 2015 Evenings 12-14 Mar – 7.30pm Matinee 14 Mar – 2pm Free pre-show talks at 6.30pm on Thu 12 Mar with Artistic Staff and Fri 13 Mar with Music staff. Call box office to reserve tickets. Free post-show discussion immediately following the performance on Fri 13 Mar. Tickets £10-£30. Discounts available - please contact box office. Box office 01463 234 234 (bkg fee) Festival Theatre, Edinburgh Wed 18 – Sat 21 Mar 2015 Evenings 18-21 Mar - 7.30pm Matinee 21 Mar – 2pm Box office 0131 529 6000 (bkg fee) Free pre-show talks at 6.30pm on Thu 19 Mar with Artistic Staff and Fri 20 Mar with Music staff. Call box office to reserve tickets. Free post-show discussion immediately following the performance on Fri 20 Mar. Sadler's Wells, London Tue 31 Mar – Thu 2 Apr 2015 - 7.30pm Free pre-show talk at 6.30pm on Thu 26 April. Call box office to reserve tickets. Tickets from £12-£40. Discounts available - please contact box office. Box office 0844 412 4300 (bkg fee) USA Harris Theater, Chicago Thu 7 – Sat 9 May 2015 – 7.30pm www.harristheaterchicago.org Tobin Center, San Antonio Tue 12 May 2015 – 7.30pm www.tobincenter.org Brown Theater, Houston Fri 15 May 2015 – 7.30pm www.spahouston.org Byham Theater, Pittsburgh Tue 19 May 2015 – 7.30pm www.pittsburgh-theater.com Spoleto Festival College of Charleston Sottile Theatre, Charleston Fri 22 - Sun 24 May 2015 www.spoletousa.org Kennedy Center, Washington DC Thu 28 – Sat 30 May 2015 Evenings 28-30 May – 7.30pm Matinee 30 May – 1.30pm www.kennedy-center.org Online Twitter Takeover – Fri 27 February 2015 On Friday 27 February, Scottish Ballet will be following Eve Mutso’s day on Twitter. From morning class and rehearsals, to breaks and visits to wardrobe and the “shoe cupboard”, prepare for a unique insight into the life of principal dancer Eve as she prepares for the role of Blanche DuBois. Uncut – Fri 6 March 2015 A live and exclusive behind the scenes look at the unique rehearsal process for A Streetcar Named Desire. This will show how Eve Mutso is coached as she works on her characterisation of Blanche DuBois, one of the most iconic roles in American theatre. Uncut will be released live on Scottish Ballet’s website on Fri 6 March 2015. Other films available: Photoshoot film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4EjmqUbsOs&list=PLKxCoygoxNetJQFD1ZSAzxKp-E56AbrrW Making of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g13z7Sg5kOg&list=UUlRbXAibuRQXlJJqiIiEzcQ (done in 2012 for the World Premiere tour of A Streetcar Named Desire). ENDS

Here's a link to the Company website

As ever with pains or injuries we would highly recommend you seek medical advice or from a physiotherapist who specialises in dance injuries.

Hello RobR and welcome out of the lurking shadows. Now that you've broken the ice I do hope you will continue to join in!

Northern Ballet returns to Sadler’s Wells with sell-out American classic The Great Gatsby Northern Ballet is returning to Sadler’s Wells with its smash hit production of The Great Gatsby after a sell-out run in 2013. Bringing the glamour and seduction of the roaring twenties to the stage, Europe’s Best Dance Company will perform The Great Gatsby in London from 24 – 28 March 2015. The Great Gatsby, based on the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald which celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, had its world première in Leeds in March 2013, followed by a national tour including a sell-out season in London at Sadler’s Wells. Set on New York’s Long Island, in the heady, indulgent days of the 1920s. Nick Carraway comes to know his infamous neighbour Jay Gatsby – a mysterious millionaire with a secret past and a penchant for lavish parties. As the sparkling façade of Gatsby’s world begins to slip Carraway comes to see the loneliness, obsession and tragedy that lie beneath. Nominated for a UK Theatre Award for Achievement in Dance, The Great Gatsby is choreographed by David Nixon OBE and earned him a nomination for Best Classical Choreography in the 2014 National Dance Awards. Prolific in creating new full-length work, The Great Gatsby, was David Nixon’s fourteenth new ballet for Northern Ballet, where he has been Artistic Director since 2001. David Nixon said: ‘The Great Gatsby is an American classic from an iconic era. The 1920s were a time of exuberance, extravagance and style in pre-depression America and The Great Gatsby incorporates these themes within what is essentially a wonderful love story. The costumes replicate the fashions from the 1920s which are still heavily influencing the trends of today and the music by Sir Rodney Bennett CBE is instantly recognisable, transporting the audience straight back to the jazz age. Reimagining popular classic stories is Northern Ballet’s specialty and The Great Gatsby has everything for a great ballet: a love triangle, decadence, desperation and heartbreak.’ Tickets for The Great Gatsby at Sadler’s Wells are on sale now at sadlerswells.com or by calling the box office on 0844 412 4300. -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 46 dancers tours a combination of full-length new work and established repertoire to cities throughout the UK and is the only large scale ballet company to do so. Northern Ballet will introduce a new strand of touring from 2015, widening the Company’s already extensive reach. The new mid-scale tour will see the Company perform in nine additional 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 & Scenario David Nixon OBE Co-Direction & Scenario Patricia Doyle Costume Design David Nixon OBE Set Design Jérôme Kaplan Lighting Design Tim Mitchell Music Sir Richard Rodney Bennett CBE Orchestrations John Longstaff & Gavin Sutherland Music Advisor Anthony Meredith The Great Gatsby - Tour Listings London, Sadler’s Wells 24 – 28 Mar 2015 sadlerswells.com Box Office 0844 412 4300 On sale now Norwich, Theatre Royal 14 – 18 Apr 2015 theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk Box Office 01603 630 000 On sale now

Or to arrive at a small shop at the advertised opening time to discover the owner was 10 minutes late arriving to open up! Having made my purchases I then had to RUN back up Great Pulteney Street one step ahead of the traffic wardens!

UK PREMIERE Philippe Decouflé Company DCA CONTACT Sadler’s Wells, EC1R Tuesday 16 – Thursday 18 June Performances: Tue – Thu at 7.30pm Tickets: £12 - £32 Ticket Office: 0844 412 4300 or www.sadlerswells.com Philippe Decouflé’s new musical and visual comedy CONTACT receives its UK premiere at Sadler’s Wellsfrom Tuesday 16 – Thursday 18 June 2015. CONTACT is the culmination of Decouflé’s trademark cinematographic prowess and his fragmented sense of trickery and illusion, expressed through a troupe of sixteen dancers, actors, singers and musicians. A creator of dreamlike performances, Decouflé finds inspiration in both high and popular culture and challenges expectations with the use of the burlesque and the bizarre. In CONTACT, he rewrites what the musical means, telling a tale of human – and sometimes superhuman passions - borrowing from cabarets, musicals and Bollywood. The score has been created by Nosfell and Pierre Le Bourgeois, and is described as “an opera from another world”. Parisian born Decouflé is an artist trained in mime, bodily expression, circus and dance. He has been trained by the likes of Isaac Alvarez, Annie Fratellini, Merce Cunningham and Alwin Nikolais. Born in 1961, Decouflé’s artistic career has spanned over three decades. He founded his dance company DCA in 1983, and went on to create an award-winning piece Codex, which led to his work being placed on the international stage in 1992 with his staging of the opening and closing ceremonies of the winter Olympic Games in Albertville, France. His unique blend of dance, circus and film has become world renowned and he has used his directing and choreographic skills across a variety of art forms on stage and on screen. He also created and directed the Cirque du Soleil show Iris. Notes to Editors: Listings information Philippe Decouflé Company DCA CONTACT Sadler’s Wells, EC1R Tuesday 16 – Thursday 18 June 2015 Performances: Tue – Thu at 7.30pm Tickets: £12 - £32 Ticket office: 0844 412 4300 / 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 and 3 Resident Companies 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.

Oh, I wish I'd known about this sooner. Unfortunately I can't attend any of the dates. If anyone else is going please do let us know your thoughts.

Topics merged!

It used to be the same around us but they all seem to have settled on 10-4 now.

I'm really looking forward to Carmina!

I loathe jesters and I can't stand the happy ending productions.

Hello CLGRS and welcome to the Forum! I have moved your post to the Doing Dance forum, where many of our members will be able to offer practical experience and advice. It's worth searching this forum too as there have been many other discussions in a similar vein. Congratulations on getting through to the finals. Please let us know how you get on.

Thanks for starting the topic Chris and for giving us such a lovely review. I saw 4 performances this week and really enjoyed them all. I love the intense beauty of Serenade and thought the company danced it very well. I believe Balanchine preferred passionate, committed dance to cold technical perfection and I believe that BRB achieved that in all the 4 performances I saw. Yesterday afternoon's performance was just sublime. Arancha Basalga was utterly exquisite and her duet with a magnificent Chi Cao was divine. It was breath-taking and I was moved to tears by the end. Lyric Pieces is the perfect piece to calm you down before the excitement of Upper Room. Chris has described it beautifully above. I find it lyrical and fun. Jonathan Higgins is a wonderful pianist and BRB are so lucky to have him. In the Upper Room continues to be a favourite. Two casts have been on this week and both of them have been tremendous. I must commend Laura Purkiss who danced a stomper in every performance and looked absolutely radiant to boot. Brandon Lawrence is unmissable and a joy to watch too! Both casts danced with verve and energy and I loved it! I think this has been a really terrific programme, very much to my taste!

Links - Sunday, February 22, 2015 Interview – Sylvie Guillem: Robert McCrum, Guardian Review – New York City Ballet, Hear the Dance: America bill, New York: Lauren Gallagher, DanceTabs Reviews – Australian Ballet, Swan Lake, Sydney: Jill Sykes, Sydney Morning Herald Martin Portus, Daily Review Review – Miami City Ballet, Serenade, Ballo della Regina, Symphony in Three Movements, Vancouver: Janet Smith, Straight Review – Kate Weare Company, 10th Anniversary Season, New York: Marina Harss, DanceTabs Preview – This week’s new dance in London and Edinburgh: Judith Mackrell, Guardian Review – Birmingham Royal Ballet, Moving Stateside, Birmingham: Elise Chamberlain, Tamworth Herald Reviews – Cirque Eloise, Cirkopolis, London: Graham Watts, DanceTabs Howard Loxton, British Theatre Guide Review (some dance interest) – Vakhtangov State Academic Theatre of Russia, Eugene Onegin, London: Kate Kellaway, Guardian Interviewette – Septime Webre, on Washington Ballet’s Sleepy Hollow, Washington: Doug Rule, MetroWeekly Review - Tulsa Ballet, Sleeping Beauty, Tulsa: James D Watts Jr, Tulsa World Review - Richmond Ballet, Don Quixote, Richmond: Julinda Lewis, Richmond Times-Dispatch Review - Ben Uili, Life in a Briefcase, Wellington: Lyne Pringle, NZ Theatreview

Hello Willow and welcome to the Forum. Please keep posting and let us know what you decide. Good luck to your DD.