Jan McNulty

Her posts are evocative and articulate. I look forward to the next installment.

Within the UK, isn't the broadcasting of theatre performances part of the initiative to enable as many people as possible to have access to watching theatre arts? Going back to Manon and tweets, I am sure I would have tweeted gushingly if I had been there!

It's all very well for those based in the London area to be able to queue on the day (assuming they are available to do so during the day) but there are many members of this Forum who are not London-based and who travel many miles to go to ROH. I myself would not travel a significant distance, with the possible need of an overnight stay and, of course, travel costs, without knowing I had a ticket for the performance I wanted to see.

Well I would imagine that the company is wanting to make money Bruce but I have heard that the live broadcasts are horrendously expensive to mount. Although I haven't been to any myself I know many people who do not have the opportunity to go to London to see live performances have relished being able to see the Royal Ballet on the big screen.

Well Coated, it is extremely unlikely (unless I win a Euromillions jackpot) that I would exceed the imposed limits, but I was wondering exactly the same. If I, as a non-Friend, had wanted to book for all nine casts of Manon would I be able to? If I could and Friends could not that is an incredibly unfair system. Is ROH trying to stamp out the possibility of ticket toutery?

I'd just like to add my best wishes to those of GTL and everyone else on the Forum.

Links - Tuesday, October 21, 2014 Reviews – Royal Ballet, Ashton Quad Bill, London: Clement Crisp, FT Graham Watts, London Dance Rym Kechacha, Bachtrack Neil Norman, Stage Reviews – Birmingham Royal Ballet, La Fin du Jour, Miracle in the Gorbals, Flowers of the Forest, London: Clement Crisp, FT Jann Parry, DanceTabs Judith Mackrell, Guardian Neil Norman, Stage Season Roundup – New York City Ballet, New York: Alastair Macaulay, NY Times Reviews – LA Dance Project, Reflections, Murder Ballads, Quintett, New York: Deborah Jowitt, Arts Journal Melia Kraus-Har, Broadway World Review – Joffrey Ballet, Swan Lake (Wheeldon), Chicago: Carla Escoda, Bachtrack Reviews – Fall for Dance, Programme 4, New York: Lauren Gallagher, DanceTabs Marianne Adams, Danceview Times Lauren Wingenroth, Broadway World Curtain Call Photographs – Wendy Whelan Farewell: Marina Harss, Random Thoughts News – Dance in the UK Theatre Awards 2014: Carmel Smith, London Dance Review - Lucinda Childs, Dance, Paris: Laura Cappelle, FT Review – Los Angeles Ballet, Swan Lake, Los Angeles: Lewis Segal, LA Times Review – Zurich Ballet, Anna Karenina, Zurich: Sarah Batschelet, Bachtrack Preview – Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, New York: Meghan Feeks, Huffington Post Review – Jerome Bel/Theater Hora, Disabled Theatre, London: Jeffrey Gordon Baker, London Dance Glasgow: Andrea Mullaney, Scotsman Review – 13th Floor Dance Theatre, A Wake, San Francisco: Allan Ulrich, SF Chronicle Review – Orlando Ballet, Vampire’s Ball, Orlando: Matthew J Palm, Orlando Sentinel Review - Ballet Memphis, River Project: Moving Currents, Memphis: Jon W Sparks, Commercial Appeal Interview - Alexa Wilson, choreographer: Diana Dekker, Dominion Post

I would definitely go for the ENB production as I am also not a fan of the RB's production. I fully agree with Alison's comments above.

Floss, I love your post about Scenes de Ballet. I saw it at ROH from the amphitheatre in the late 1980s as a ballet-watching newbie and absolutely adored it. Subsequently I saw it performed by BRB at Birmingham Rep from the front stalls when the Hippodrome was being refurbished. I adored it then too. I think it is an absolute masterpiece. I started off watching contemporary dance in the mid-1970s, found ballet boring but was converted by Onegin so I'm not quite sure where that leaves me on the expectations front! Unfortunately I can't get to see the Ashton mixed programme but I envy everyone who is!

OH YES!!!!!

Fly away to Neverland this winter with Northern Ballet Join Wendy, John and Michael this winter as they soar into the night sky and on to the adventure of a lifetime in Northern Ballet’s Peter Pan. This beautiful family ballet with lashings of fairy dust and dastardly pirates returns exclusively to Leeds Grand Theatre from 11 – 20 December 2014. Last performed by Northern Ballet in 2010, Peter Pan is a magical adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s much-loved tale transporting audiences on a journey to a magical land of mermaids and fairies where children can fly and adventures happen every day. But with Captain Hook and his pirates looking for revenge, it’s not plain-sailing as Peter Pan battles to come out on top whilst the life of his faithful sidekick, Tinkerbell, is put in danger and only the audience can save her. Choreographed by Northern Ballet’s Artistic Director, David Nixon OBE, Peter Pan boasts an exceptional creative team including spectacular sets by Olivier Award winning Designer Peter Mumford, and music by Oscar winning ComposerStephen Warbeck (Shakespeare in Love, Billy Elliott). Stunning dancing, death-defying flying stunts and live music byNorthern Ballet Sinfonia complete this magical ballet. David Nixon OBE said: ‘Peter Pan, a story Barrie wrote for children, has made a far-reaching impact on the world, revealing and appealing to the child in all of us. It is perfect entertainment for the entire family and an adventure in every sense of the word, incorporating flying dancers, a crocodile, mermaids and pirates.’ So follow the ‘second star to the right and straight on ‘til morning’ and join Northern Ballet for a festive treat for the whole family. Tickets for Peter Pan at Leeds Grand Theatre are on sale now at leedsgrandtheatre.com or by calling the box office on 0844 848 2700. Peter Pan is adapted by kind permission of Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. Original production supported by David Lloyd. -ENDS- Notes to Editors Voted Best European 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 24 weeks of the year. The Company of 46 dancers tours a combination of new works and established repertoire to cities throughout the UK and is the only large scale ballet company to do so. Visit northernballet.com for more information on the Company and tour. Production credits Choreography, Direction & Costume Design David Nixon OBE Co-Direction Patricia Doyle Music Stephen Warbeck Played live by Northern Ballet Sinfonia Set & Lighting Design Peter Mumford Design Assistant Ali Allen Flying by The Rigging Team Peter Pan – Tour Dates 2014 Leeds Grand Theatre 11 – 20 Dec 2014 Box Office 0844 848 2700 leedsgrandtheatre.com On sale now Peter Pan – Step Closer Events Leeds, Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre Family Workshop – Sun 14 Dec 2014, 1pm – 3.15pm A family workshop based around Peter Pan including a creative dance session, craft activities and afternoon tea. £15 per child. Call 0113 220 8008 to book or visit theatreleeds.com Leeds Grand Theatre Keep Dancing for the Over 55s – Thu 18 Dec 2014, 9.15am – 12.15pm Dance workshop on stage followed by Northern Ballet Revealed including an opportunity to watch Company Class. £12 or £10 for Friends of Northern Ballet Call 0844 848 2700 to book Leeds Grand Theatre Northern Ballet Revealed – Thu 18 Dec 2014, 10.45am – 12.15pm Thirty minute talk about the Company and Peter Pan followed by the opportunity to watch Company Class. £4 or FREE for Friends of Northern Ballet Call 0844 848 2700 to book For more information visit northernballet.com/astepcloser

Yes, I had heard Lin!

Bruce, I don't think that is necessary. Your second post clarified that you were being light-hearted.

Well Bruce, I didn't like the tone of it either! Although I am sure that capybara will respond if he/she wants to.

Hell DancerMiax and welcome to the Forum. Good luck with your auditions.

Hello Dedicated Mum and welcome to the Forum. Please let us know how you get on!

Here's a link to the Jennifer Ellison Fame Academy website. It has a page (blogs) about the faculty. Be warned that there is a very loud voice over on the home page so you may wish to turn your volume down before you open the page. I doubt if I shall be watching the show...

Peter Crome's website

Martin Bell, who was one of my favourite dancers at Northern Ballet, is based in Hampshire and takes wonderful photographs. Here is the link to his dance photography page

Northern Ballet has announced Company auditions. The details are here.

CharlieChuck, I'm so sorry to hear of your troubles. I do hope Dexter will come through, it sounds like he is having the best possible treatment. GTL has given some wonderful, practical advice above. Sending you hugs and best wishes. Jx

I was at the matinee on Thursday afternoon. It was my 9th and final performance watching this current run! I find it hard to believe that I have enjoyed this production so much this time around (I enjoy it but its not a favourite). I think David Bintley has found almost the perfect cast combinations. Maureya Lebowitz and Brandon Lawrence took the honours on Thursday afternoon. They were just out of this world and I was weeping buckets during the beautiful final duet. Max Maslen was superb as the Raven, his hands and arms are particularly beautiful. Laura Day was enchanting as the Wild Girl. Lewis Turner was a lovely cheeky hare in the ballroom scene. In fact all the dancers looked like they were having fun being naughty in the ballroom scene. I just wish I knew which dancers I was looking at! This ballet is also populated with character miniatures that David Bintley is so good at creating. The bailiffs henchmen are a case in point; Jonathan Caguoia is just hilarious! The scene with the wedding guests is also rib-ticklingly funny. Laura Purkiss and Rull Brill as Belle's vain and selfish sisters were pitch perfect. James Barton has perfect comic timing as M Cochon. A great afternoon made even more pleasurable by bumping into a couple of Forum members by chance!

I was at the performance on Wednesday evening. What can I say, from the moment she first appeared I was watching Manon as opposed to Francesca Hayward dancing Manon. She was totally subsumed into the role and I loved watching her seduced by avarice. Hers was such an intelligent and nuanced reading of the role that it is hard to believe she is a young dancer at the start of her career. Edward Watson swept me away as DG. I loved his interactions with both Francesca and Alexander Campbell as a nasty and all too believable Lescaut. One of the joys of this performance was, to me, the fantastic way the three leads interacted. I thought that Bennet Gartside was a thoroughly nasty gaoler - a brilliant performance. I was emotionally drained by the time the curtain came down! It was lovely meeting up with fellow Forum members in the intervals too.

Mathias Dingman of Birmingham Royal Ballet is guesting with ENB in the Nutcracker. He will be dancing four performances with Erina Takahashi. Here is the ENB announcement

Hello FrankH and welcome to the Forum. Thanks for giving us such articulate thoughts about the performance. I do hope you will continue to post.