Jan McNulty

A lot of this depends on the exchange rate for Brits travelling abroad. My friend and I went to Copenhagen in 2005 for the Bournonville Festival and realised that, at that time, it was cheaper for us to go to both Copenhagen and Paris than a weekend in London at ROH. As sterling plummetted that situation changed and the last time I went to Paris it would have been cheaper to spend the equivalent time in London. Now the pound is stronger that situation may again have changed. Where I can have an issue with London it is with the cost for me to get there. Having easy access to both Liverpool and Manchester airports means that I have had trips to European cities where the flights have cost less than the train fare to London would have done for the same time. I have discovered that it is almost impossible to get cheaper train tickets on Fridays and Sundays but usually can get them slightly cheaper during the week.

Links - Monday, August 25 2014 Edinburgh Festival and Fringe 2014: Reviews – Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch, Sweet Mambo: Sarah Crompton, Telegraph Hannah Weibye, Arts Desk Alice Bain, Observer Elsewhere: Feature – Jeffrey Taylor reminisces about his time as a dancer on Sunday Night at the London Palladium: Jeffrey Taylor, Express Feature – The Sound of Pina Bausch: Chris Wiegand, Observer Review – The Carreno-Barbieri Festival Gala, Sarasota: Carrie Seidman, Sarasota Herald Tribune Review – Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Over Glow, Beautiful Mistake, The Heart(s)pace, Jacob’s Pillow: Ken Ross, Mass Live Review – Narelle Benjamin, Hiding in Plain Sight, Sydney: Jill Sykes, Sydney Morning Herald Review - Sobha Naidu, Chandalika, Vijayawada: GVR Subba Rao, The Hindu

Here is the ROH announcement

What gets me is that people don't realise how distracting they are being with the lights on their phones or digital cameras, let alone flashes going off (which must surely be dangerous to the performers). They are downright rude when there has been an announcement specifically asking people to desist. Theatre staff must have a huge problem in dealing with the issue if the individual(s) are in the middle of a row.

Links - Sunday, August 24 2014 Edinburgh Festival and Fringe 2014: Photographic Preview – Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch, Sweet Mambo: Murdo MacLeod, Guardian Review – Kitsch & Sync Collective, Last Chance Romance: Kelly Apter, Scotsman/WOW247 Review – Langasan, Misa-Lisin: David Pollock, Scotsman/WOW247 Elsewhere: Feature – Australian Ballet takes risks to draw young audiences: Sue Green, South China Morning Post Review – LeeSaar The Company, Grass and Jackals, Jacob’s Pillow: Deborah Jowitt, Arts Journal Exhibition Review – American Ballet Theatre: Touring the Globe for 75 Years, Washington: Sarah Kaufman, Columbia Daily Tribune Feature – Backstage at Cirque du Soleil, Montreal: Lee Marshall, Toronto Globe and Mail Preview – Tallahassee Ballet, mixed programme, Tallahassee: Janet Pichard, Tallahassee Democrat Preview – La Verita, A Tribute to Salvador Dali, Abu Dhabi: Ellen Fortini, The National

Stucha posted this, which I have now moved to a new thread about Ashton's Cinderella but it is also pertinent to this thread: "I don't think mentioned that Cinderella's much loved father is an alcoholic who at one point returns home with his mates from the pub for a drinking session only to be given short shrift by the wife and the girls. Poor Cinderella has no support at all. I like Ratmansky's version for his modern eye, interesting choreography, humour and musicality. He states that he followed Prokofiev's notations to the letter for the plot points of the story. I love many things about the Ashton version. Cinderella's solos in the first act particularly the broomstick solo; the variations of the seasons which perfectly render the music; the choreography for the stars which is just sublime; and that for the corps de ballet in the ballroom scene which shows his mastery at handling large forces; and finally the pas de deux for Cinderella and the Prince. The sticking point for me is that of the Ugly Sisters. The double pantomime dame element does not work. And don't get me wrong, I think Widow Simone works perfectly in Fille. For me it is a question of plausibility. Widow Simone as characterised by Ashton is plausible as the guardian of Lise. We believe her even though played by a man. It is an acting role with a (very good) clog dance thrown in. The Ugly sisters on the other hand are for me simply not plausible as the step sisters of Cinderella. They are far too old, seeming even older than their father. And with comedy we want to believe the characters in order to make sense of the story. Their choreography is basic and depends on comedy for its effect. Nothing wrong with that but the action stops for the comedy set pieces and the ballet goes on before and after them and their comedy schtick. They simply unbalance the flow. I realise that all this will probably be seen as heretical but for me Ashton's Cinderella despite its marvels, will always remain flawed." The new Ashton thread is here: http://www.balletcoforum.com/index.php?/topic/7653-thoughts-on-ashtons-cinderella-and-other-works/

I've set up this topic with posts from the Mariinsky thread that are more pertinent to a discussion about Ashton.

Links - Saturday, August 23 2014 Edinburgh Festival and Fringe 2014: Preview – This week’s new dance: Judith Mackrell, Guardian Reviews – Akram Khan, Polaroid Feet, Tarana, Gnosis: Sarah Crompton, Telegraph Kirsty Morgan, Bachtrack Review – VTDance, iWitness; Scottish Ballet Dance Artists: Special Edition – elEven, Stabat Mater: Lucy Ribchester, DanceTabs Review – Talkbox, Beyond the Body: Kelly Apter, Scotsman/WOW247 Elsewhere: Feature – Dance on video from many corners of the web: Alastair Macaulay, NY Times Preview – Deloitte Ignite Festival, London: Carmel Smith, London Dance News – Danilo Radojevic, Associate Artistic Director, leaves Australian Ballet: Valerie Lawson, Dancelines News - Steven Heathcote rejoins Australian Ballet as ballet master and repetiteur: Dance News Desk, Broadway World Reviews – Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Over Glow, A Beautiful Mistake, The Heart(s)pace, Jacob’s Pillow: Janine Parker, Boston Globe Leslie Kandell, Berkshire Eagle Review – Meryl Tankard / Paul White, The Oracle, Adelaide: Barry Lenny, Broadway World Preview – Liz Lerman, Healing Wars, Montclair: Robert Johnson, Star Ledger Preview – Northern Ballet, Dracula, Leeds: Hilaire Stelfox, Huddersfield Daily Examiner Preview – Ramya Ramnarayan, Nritrya Katha, New Brunswick: Robert Johnson, Star Ledger Feature – Andrew Bartree (Pacific Northwest Ballet), Face of America (for Wolftrap), Seattle: Rebecca Ritzel, Washington Post Review – I am a boys choir, So long, Willy, New York: Gia Kourlas, NY Times Reviews – On the Town, Chicago: Heidi Weiss, Chicago Sun Times Barbara Vitello, Daily Herald Review – Cirque du Soleil, Totem, Auckland: Paul Simei-Barton, NZ Herald Review - BLAM!, Blackpool: Staff writer, Blackpool Gazette Review - Cirque Eloize, ID, Johannesburg: Lesley Stones: Daily Maverick

Congratulations Skydancer!

I have recently posted details of various workshops that are being run by the Milton Keynes Theatre. A number of the ATG theatres run workshops and courses, including the Empire which has a youth ballet associated with it now. The Empire has been running a course based on Cats this summer and the Liverpool Echo has reviewed the show: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/cats-empire-theatre-liverpool-7654810 It is obviously worth keeping an eye out for courses run by ATG theatres such as MK and the Liverpool Empire!

Hello Ballet21st and welcome to the Forum. That sounds a fantastic programme, thanks for giving us the details.

Links - Friday, August 22 2014 Edinburgh Festival and Fringe 2014: Reviews – Akram Khan, Polaroid Feet, Tarana, Gnosis: Kelly Apter, Scotsman/WOW247 Vera Liber, British Theatre Guide Review – Talkbox, Beyond the Body: Lucy Ribchester, DanceTabs Review – MurleyDance, Object of my Affection: Hannah Weibye, Arts Desk Review – Harnisch-Lacey Dance Theatre, Spin: Kelly Apter, Scotsman/WOW247 (Not quite dance) Review – withWings Theatre Company, The Duck Pond: Kenneth Scott, Edinburgh Guide (Not quite dance) Review – Thomas Monckton & Circo Aereo, The Pianist: Dione Joseph, NZ Theatreview Elsewhere: Review – Chicago Dancing Festival, Opening Night, Chicago: Laura Molzahn, Chicago Tribune Reviews – Erasing Borders – Festival of Indian Dance, New York: Alastair Macaulay, NY Times Apollinaire Scherr, FT Book Review – Stephen Lloyd, Constant Lambert, Beyond the Rio Grande: Paul Arrowsmith, DanceTabs News – David Hallberg, healing, keeps Balletomanes up to date: Michael Cooper, NY Times Feature – Petronio Company to perform other choreographers’ work: Brian Seibert, NY Times Review – Saburo Teshigawara / Aurelie Dupont, Sleep, Tokyo: Naomi Mori, Bachtrack Review – LeeSaar The Company, Grass and Jackals, Jacob’s Pillow: Ken Ross, Mass Live Feature – Tom Mossbrucker, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Jacob’s Pillow: Richard Houdek, Berkshire Eagle Review – On the Town, Chicago: Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune App Preview – More dances for an iphone: Allan Kozinn, NY Times Opinion – Is Folk Dance Dead?: Katie Columbus, Stage En Pointe Picture Featurette – Boston Ballet ride on swan boats, Boston: Mark Shanahan and Meredith Goldstein, Boston Globe TV Preview – Dancing Cheek to Cheek: An Intimate History of Dance, BBC4: Anita Singh, Telegraph Exhibition Review – Ballet Russes: The Art of Costume, Tokyo: Mio Yamada, Japan Times

A featurette about member Skydancer and her record breaking attempt: http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/what-s-on/dancer-s-bid-for-record-books-1-6798829

Here's a featurette about the ballet (Little Red Riding Hood) that Drew McOnie is choreographing for EYB: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-28776224

Dance course at Bath College for Senior Citizens: http://www.nowbath.co.uk/news/new-pensioner-ballet-course-offer-bath-college-58225/

Carmen and Swan Lake are the only 2 I have seen live, the others were on the television. I particularly enjoyed Swan Lake (but then it did feature Charlotte Broom and Chris Akrill (both ex-NB and now of Headspace Dance)). When Sleeping Beauty was on TV my niece was about 14 at the time and was absolutely rivetted to it.

I've only seen a couple of things by Mats Ek but I have enjoyed them. His style is very different and in the things I have seen he has skewed the traditional stories somewhat. I can't comment on R&J because I haven't seen it.

Sadly we haven't seen the original Cinderella (by Christopher Gable) since the late 1990s. David Nixon's version was new last December and is touring again this Autumn (I am very excited about that!!) Both productions are wonderful. Sometimes Ballet Central perform a duet from Christopher Gable's production - the fireside duet. It is so beautiful I always cry!

Hello Louise, I have merged your latest post into the existing thread. Swan Princess' suggestion is excellent. I just had a look at Yell.com and came up with this page full of schools in North London: http://www.yell.com/ucs/UcsSearchAction.do?keywords=dance+school&location=north+london&scrambleSeed=1800628148&autocomplete=lo You could try cross-referencing them with any teachers you find as SP suggested. It may well be that our members are not familiar with the area you are looking for and can only give general advice on looking for a school. Additionally it is holiday time so some of our members may be away or ferrying children to summer schools until the start of next month.

Sounds like a good topic Lin! But what about the advantages (or disadvantages) of having a commissioned score? NB's two versions of Cinderella both have scores by the wonderful Philip Feeney.

I know we are totally o/t but I must commend the performances as Alain by both James Barton and Kit Holder in BRB's latest run of Fille in June. Both play the character as a gauche youth rather than a simpleton and both are very moving in the role.

I have received an email from MK Theatre with the following detail: Street Dance Class Our street dance class is a fun, vibrant and energetic dance class for all abilities. Fusing many styles of dance including break dance, hip hop and street children learn funky street routines to popular music. Commences Sat 20 Sep 11.15am-12.15pm for 10 weeks* - £75pp (Ages 5-10) Book Now

I have received an email from MK Theatre with the following detail: Musical Theatre Class Brand new for September! Our musical theatre class will be a fantastic introduction into the three aspects of musical theatre: singing, dance and acting. We will focus on confidence building, performing in group numbers and will learn how to warm up the voice and body to performance level. Children will work on numbers from well known West End musicals. Commences Fri 12 Sep 5-6pm for 10 weeks* - £75pp (Ages 8-12) Book Now

Not quite ballet but Milton Keynes Theatre is starting a series of Adult Beginners Tap classes. I've just received an email with this detail: "Beginners Adult Tap Dance Our brand new beginners adult tap class commences in September. Is tap dance something you have always wanted to give a go? Why not try something new this autumn whilst keeping fit and meeting new people at the same time? Suitable for complete beginners or those with some tap experience. The class will take place in our backstage dance studio. Bring your tap shoes! Commences Fri 12 Sep 6-7pm for 10 weeks*- £75pp Book Now"

I got Tatiana!