Jan McNulty

Come to think of it, afternoon tea in the Oriental Hotel in Bangkok was pretty wonderful but that was about 15 years ago so can't now comment on price, although we did find the Oriental restaurants reasonably priced for a 5* hotel

Depending on when you can book and what days you can go the Travelodge Covent Garden can be very reasonable. In May, we got a Friday evening there for £58 (the Saturday evening was considerably more expensive!). It may be worth checking university accommodation too, as their holiday lets can be very good value.

Sounds like this was done behind her back while she's been on holiday, judging by her tweet above. Disgraceful!

Here's a gallery from the Company website

Here's the page for University of London accommodation: http://hallstest.housing.london.ac.uk/ It may be too late at this stage though, visitor accommodation is very popular in the summer. Here's a google page that may help your search: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=rooms+to+rent+in+london+short+term&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&channel=sb&gfe_rd=cr&ei=RW_bU-uROM-Y-Ab9kIGADA Good luck!

Thanks Amelia, it does look interesting ... If it had been coming to Liverpool, The Lowry or Birminingham I would definitely go.

MurleyDance returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with: Object of My Affection MurleyDance explore the emotional attachments we form with objects, from technology to trinkets and treasures Choreographed by David Murley, Anthony Kurt-Gabel and Richard Chappell Greenside, Nicolson Square, Edinburgh Performances: August 1st-23rd @ 18h25 MurleyDance return to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with three pieces from upcoming and established choreographers in a show that examines the relationships we form with objects, from chairs to iPods to thrones to our most treasured photos. Which would we hate to lose more, the phone we rely on every day or our grandmother’s ring that never leaves its box? Why does a throne hold so much power? And can you form an attachment to a person you may never meet? MurleyDance is a London-based modern ballet dance company fusing classical technique with theatricality, and it is the only professional ballet company appearing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The company will present 21 performances of Object of My Affection at Greenside, Nicolson Square before embarking on an Autumn tour of an entirely new programme, Hail Britannia, that features four pieces that will celebrate multicultural Britain. MurleyDance debuted in February 2012 in Resolution! at The Place, and have since appeared at Rough and Tumble, Spiral Arts Festival, Resolution! 2013, Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2013. The company also toured its Triple Bill nationally in Autumn 2013. Object of My Affection received its world premiere on 27th April 2014 at London’s Shaw Theatre before touring to Aberdeen, Newtownabbey (Belfast) and Londonderry. The company’s Artistic Director David Murley presents his study of status and sentiment with Seated, considering the power of a monarch’s throne and a matriarch’s armchair, how an American diner’s stool brings people together and whether there’s any romance in a flat pack from Ikea. French choreographer and international soloist Anthony Kurt-Gabel explores the imaginary, intense and emotional journey of two people who catch sight of each other but realise that they may never meet, inspired by Baudelaire’s poem A une passante. Nineteen year old up- and-coming talent Richard Chappell’s piece Into Decay explores the objects that rule our lives: the gadgets and gizmos that we “can’t do without”, the houses we live in, the purely sentimental items; but as they fall apart, what do we strive to repair? Should we rely so much on technology, and are we doing so at the cost of more meaningful attachments? David Murley said “We are delighted to be returning to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe following our successful debut in 2013.The Object of My Affection is the first time that MurleyDance has presented a programme with a central thematic concept that is reflected in each of the three pieces. By exploring how we can all too easily become attached to material possessions that dictate the course of our lives or how human affection can go unfulfilled we will be presenting a performance of classically-inspired dance that will be both entertaining and thought-provoking. "Our work is rooted in the technical discipline of classical dance but we also want to produce original, narrative-based works that challenge convention whilst also entertaining audiences. I am really excited by the originality of the pieces our choreographers have created and the extraordinary talents of our ten-strong company of dancers. Our aim is to be a classically-based repertory company that brings thought-provoking new works to audiences both in the UK and internationally." David Murley has previously performed internationally with companies including The Royal Opera, English National Opera, Grange Park Opera and Glyndebourne Festival and Touring Opera. David has also performed as a dancer in Filth and Wisdom (2008), written and directed by Madonna, Mammoth Productions, the BBC, ITV, Vertigo Films and director Mike Leigh. His choreographic credits include MurleyDance Autumn UK Tour 2013 Triple Bill Programme, MurleyDance Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2013 Double Bill Programme, Spiral Arts Festival 2012, Rough and Tumble, and Resolution! 2012 and 2013. Anthony Kurt-Gabel trained at Conservatoire Nationale de Musique et de Danse d'Avignon. After graduation, Anthony was a soloist at Badisches Staatsballett in Karlsruhe, Germany and has danced with English National Ballet, Tetsuya Kumakawa's K-Ballet company in Japan, Victor Ullate Company in Spain, Henri Oguike Company, The Royal Opera, English National Opera and Glyndebourne Festival Opera. Anthony's choreographic credits include Abusing Love and Ellipsis at The Place, London, M4Medusa and I Am Not....performed as part of ArTELIER at the Bridewell Theatre, London. His most recent piece, Frame, performed by his company fiftyfifty was part of Resolution! 2014 at The Place. At 19 years old, Richard Chappell has already gained choreographic and artistic direction experience with National Youth Ballet, The Linbury Studio Theatre and formed his own company, Richard Chappell Dance. Richard will be choreographing for English National Ballet Youth Company, MurleyDance Autumn 2014 and Richard Chappell Dance later this year. www.murleydance.com | @MurleyDance | #objectofmyaffection Videos: www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlgALpA57Q8 Running Time: 60 minutes | Suitable for all ages Company Information Choreographed by David Murley, Richard Chappell and Anthony Kurt-Gabel Dancers Alexandra Cameron-Martin, Georgina Connolley, Eloïse Hymas, Simona Marsibilio, Monica Tapiador, Joshua Royal, Gabrele Santoni, Ashley Selfe, Naomi Shimon, Dylan Waddell MurleyDance’s company trained as schools including Royal Ballet School, Northern School of Ballet, Central School of Ballet, Teatro alla Scala - Milan, Rosella Hightower School – Cannes.

Some spaces are still available. See the snippet below from Phoenix' latest e-newsletter. Summer School 4 – 8 August 2014 Join Phoenix next week for our annual Summer School, an exciting week packed full of fun and creative activities exploring contemporary dance in our state of the art building. Suitable for absolute beginners to more confident young dancers, our Summer School is open to children aged 7 – 11 years. A daily contemporary dance class and creative work with our experienced practitioners will develop your dance and performance skills whilst you make new friends! Spaces are still available! Please contact our Access and Education department for more information. http://www.phoenixdancetheatre.co.uk/access/summer-school/

With you mentioning Holborn PITF, I've just looked up a place I used to go to a lot when going to meetings in the area. It is still there - My Old Dutch in High Holborn: http://www.myolddutch.com/Menu/A-La-Carte.aspx There's also a spaghetti house in Sicilian Avenue as well as a number of cafes. https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=sicilian+avenue+london+restaurants&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&channel=sb&gfe_rd=cr&ei=Vp7aU7mfC8GR-wa3uoDIDw

Sorry PITF Victoria is a foreign country to me!

I always like Zizzi and there is a branch by the Little Ballerina statue: http://www.zizzi.co.uk/food On Bow Street last year I found a restaurant called Wildwood (which I believe is also a chain): http://www.wildwoodrestaurants.co.uk/menus/ I also love Cote. There is a branch on Upper St Martins Lane by the Coli so only minutes from CG: http://www.cote-restaurants.co.uk/Cote_Food_Wine.html

The Press Release has been updated: Part of Sadler’s Wells’ series =dance DMD+ (Deaf Men Dancing) Hear! Hear! Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler’s Wells Sunday 28 September 2014 Performance at 5pm Tickets: £6 - £12 Ticket Office 0844 412 4300 or www.sadlerswells.com Minicom Number: 020 7863 8015 This year Sadler’s Wells launched the start of =dance, a new series featuring some of the most exciting and innovative work created and performed by deaf and disabled artists. Presenting work by both established and emerging inclusive dance companies, =dance also includes a programme of workshops, discussions and professional development opportunities alongside each performance. The series runs from May 2014 - March 2015 in the biggest presentation of inclusive dance ever programmed by the theatre. The second production in =dance is from DMD+ (Deaf Men Dancing+) who present Hear! Hear! on Sunday 28 September 2014. 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. Hear! Hear! explores personal and intimate ideas about being deaf, expressed through DMD+ company members personal experiences. Accessible to all, Hear! Hear! aims to captivate audiences and change people’s perception of deaf dance. Hear! Hear! features music based on Mark Smith’s hearing test graphic chart composed by Michael England, giving the audience an insight to how Smith hears music. The songs in the show are written by deaf musician and songwriter, Deafboyone and reflect both Smith’s and Deafboyone’s personal experiences of being deaf and suffering with tinnitus. For Hear! Hear! Smith works with Caroline Parker MBE, a deaf actress and sign-song artist who performed at the London 2012 Paralympics Opening Ceremony and who is one of the inspirations for Smith’s latest work. Parker is working with the dancers to develop the sign – language signs into movement and integrate it into Smith’s choreography. Mark Smith, founder and choreographer of DMD says “I am very excited to present the world premiere of DMD’s new work Hear! Hear! at Sadler’s Wells’ =dance. I have watched many productions at the theatre in the past, which have made me become the artist I am today and inspired me to set up Deaf Men Dancing. DMD and I are extremely honoured to be part of Sadler’s Wells’ first festival of work by deaf and disabled artists and to share them with audience. “This year is the first time that DMD and Sadler’s Wells are working together and I look forward to working with the theatre in the years to come and to inspire more deaf and disabled people to love dance!" Jane Hackett, Co-Director of Creative Learning at Sadler’s Wells says “Some of the most interesting dance work being made today is created and performed by deaf and disabled artists. Sadler’s Wells has previously had a relationship with some of these artists, through commissioning or programming work, but this is the first time the work has been presented all together, highlighting the profile and impact that these artists have within the dance sector. Besides the diversity of performances offered, the accompanying programme of workshops and discussions provide inspiration and knowledge to emerging performers and an opportunity for audiences and performers to interact.” Alistair Spalding CBE, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Sadler’s Wells says “Sadler’s Wells has a history dating back to Lilian Baylis herself, of making dance as accessible as possible. Aside from the capabilities of our current building, the theatre has long challenged perceptions around who can and should dance through the extensive work of our Creative Learning programme, however this new series marks a significant development in our focus on inclusive dance. The level of quality and innovation that is currently produced by deaf and disabled artists deserves a proper platform and focus, so it is absolutely right that we are providing it, and I’m delighted to be doing so.” DMD+’s workshop Creative Deaf Dance on Sunday 28 September 2014 from 2pm - 3.30pm teaches young deaf adults DMD+’s unique choreographic style, led by the company’s founder Mark Smith along with DMD+ dancers Joseph Fletcher and Kevin Jewell. Notes to Editors =dance listings information: Stopgap Dance Company Artificial Things Tuesday 13 & Wednesday 14 May 2014 Performances at 7.45pm Tickets: £12 (£6 conc) Workshop on Wednesday 14 May from 11am - 5.45pm; Tickets: £20; suitable for professional dancers and teachers DMD+ Hear! Hear! Sunday 28 September 2014 Performance at 5pm Tickets: £12 (£6 conc) BSL interpreted post show talk Workshop on Sunday 28 September from 2pm - 3.30pm; Tickets £4; suitable for young deaf people aged 12 - 25 Candoco Dance Company Curious Encounters Sunday 16 November 2014 Performance at 3pm Tickets: £6 Workshop on Sunday 16 November from 4.30pm – 6pm; Tickets £10 (including ticket for the performance); suitable for disabled and non-disabled dancers aged 13+ BSL Interpreted Candoco Dance Company Close Encounters Monday 17 November 2014 Performance at 7pm Tickets: £12 (£6 conc) Free pre-show dress rehearsal and discussion for ticket holders BSL Interpreted =dance Statement Pieces Thursday 11 December 2014 Performance at 7.45pm Tickets: £12 (£6 conc) Free BSL interpreted post-show discussion for ticket holders Magpie Dance Flying High Friday 16 January 2015 Performance at 7.15pm Tickets: £12 (£6 conc) Workshop on Friday 16 January from 3.45pm - 5.45pm; tickets £4 suitable for aspiring dancers with learning disabilities aged 18 - 30 Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler’s Wells Ticket Office 0844 412 4300 or www.sadlerswells.com Minicom number: 020 7863 8015 The inaugural =dance series continues with further productions, workshops, debates and discussions until March 2015, with further details to be announced shortly. About Sadler’s Wells Access Scheme Sadler’s Wells runs an Access for All Register for people with physical, sensory or cognitive disabilities. Patrons can apply to the scheme, which enables them to use our new online disabled booking service and free access to the theatre car park. They may also be entitled to concessionary tickets if they are in receipt of disability-related state benefits. The scheme entitles a reduction in the cost of their ticket and a companions ticket, limited to one per production and a reduced booking fee. For more information on the Access Scheme and to apply please visit the Sadler’s Wells website: http://www.sadlerswells.com/page/access-scheme 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 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 80 new dance works to the stage and its international award-winning commissions and collaborative productions regularly tour the world, including Sutra, zero degrees, and PUSH. Sadler’s Wells also provides a home to 16 world class Associate Artists and 3 Resident Companies including Sylvie Guillem, Akram Khan, Hofesh Shechter, Crystal Pite, Wayne McGregor | Random Dance, Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures and ZooNation. The theatre also supports 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. About DMD DMD is a group of dancers who each have different dance background; contemporary, hip-hop, lyrical jazz, ballet and commercial. The dancers work in collaboration with Mark Smith and incorporate each of their styles of dance into choreography along with sign-language. The collaboration with Mark Smith also allows the dancers to bring in their personal experience of being deaf into DMD’s work.

Tai Chi in slow motion?

Hello Bethany and welcome to the Forum. As you can see, a couple of members have already made suggestions. I am not sure where you are based but Northern Ballet in Leeds has an open summer school for 6-13 year olds: http://northernballet.com/?q=blogs/shelley-firth/14-07-29/join-us-for-a-week-of-dance-storytelling Ambassador Theatre Group also has events for youngsters, for example the Liverpool Empire has a youth ballet company and Milton Keynes also seems to have lots of events. Please let us know how you get on.

It seems to depend on how the tickets are selling Aileen. I have come across this at all sorts of theatres over the past few years. I think the sites assume that most people want 2 tickets so if the performance is heavily sold but there are several seats in pairs left you cannot buy an individual ticket. I have had error messages telling me that you cannot leave a ticket on its own (or words to that effect).

I absolutely agree with you that this society is single-ist Alison. How many times have I had to pay full whack for a single ticket on a 2-4-1 offer. Out of bolshiness I now take the second ticket and hope I can give it away (not always possible in a strange town). Fortunately for ATG card holders, the offer is half price.

Part of Sadler’s Wells’ series =dance DMD+ (Deaf Men Dancing) Hear! Hear! Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler’s Wells Sunday 28 September 2014 Performance at 5pm Tickets: £6 - £12 Ticket Office 0844 412 4300 or www.sadlerswells.com Minicom Number: 020 7863 8015 This year Sadler’s Wells launched the start of =dance, a new series featuring some of the most exciting and innovative work created and performed by deaf and disabled artists. Presenting work by both established and emerging inclusive dance companies, =dance also includes a programme of workshops, discussions and professional development opportunities alongside each performance. The series runs from May 2014 - March 2015 in the biggest presentation of inclusive dance ever programmed by the theatre. The second production in =dance is from DMD+ (Deaf Men Dancing+) who present Hear! Hear! on Sunday 28 September 2014. 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. Hear! Hear! explores personal and intimate ideas about being deaf, expressed through DMD+ company members personal experiences. Accessible to all, Hear! Hear! aims to captivate audiences and change people’s perception of deaf dance. Hear! Hear! features music based on Mark Smith’s hearing test graphic chart composed by Michael England, giving the audience an insight to how Smith hears music. The songs in the show are written (and performed?) by deaf musician and songwriter, Deafboyone and reflect both Smith’s and Deafboyone’s personal experiences of being deaf and suffering with tinnitus. For Hear! Hear! Smith works with Caroline Parker MBE, a deaf actress and sign-song artist who performed at the London 2012 Paralympics Opening Ceremony and who is one of the inspirations for Smith’s latest work. Parker is working with the dancers to develop the sign – language signs into movement and integrate it into Smith’s choreography. Mark Smith, founder and choreographer of DMD says “I am very excited to present the world premiere of DMD’s new work Hear! Hear! at Sadler’s Wells’ =dance. I have watched many productions at the theatre in the past, which have made me become the artist I am today and inspired me to set up Deaf Men Dancing. DMD and I are extremely honoured to be part of Sadler’s Wells’ first festival of work by deaf and disabled artists and to share them with audience. “This year is the first time that DMD and Sadler’s Wells are working together and I look forward to working with the theatre in the years to come and to inspire more deaf and disabled people to love dance!” Jane Hackett, Co-Director of Creative Learning at Sadler’s Wells says “Some of the most interesting dance work being made today is created and performed by deaf and disabled artists. Sadler’s Wells has previously had a relationship with some of these artists, through commissioning or programming work, but this is the first time the work has been presented all together, highlighting the profile and impact that these artists have within the dance sector. Besides the diversity of performances offered, the accompanying programme of workshops and discussions provide inspiration and knowledge to emerging performers and an opportunity for audiences and performers to interact.” Alistair Spalding CBE, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Sadler’s Wells says “Sadler’s Wells has a history dating back to Lilian Baylis herself, of making dance as accessible as possible. Aside from the capabilities of our current building, the theatre has long challenged perceptions around who can and should dance through the extensive work of our Creative Learning programme, however this new series marks a significant development in our focus on inclusive dance. The level of quality and innovation that is currently produced by deaf and disabled artists deserves a proper platform and focus, so it is absolutely right that we are providing it, and I’m delighted to be doing so.” DMD+’s workshop Creative Deaf Dance on Sunday 28 September 2014 from 2pm - 3.30pm teaches young deaf adults DMD+’s unique choreographic style, led by the company’s founder Mark Smith along with DMD+ dancers Joseph Fletcher and Kevin Jewell. Notes to Editors =dance listings information: Stopgap Dance Company Artificial Things Tuesday 13 & Wednesday 14 May 2014 Performances at 7.45pm Tickets: £12 (£6 conc) Workshop on Wednesday 14 May from 11am - 5.45pm; Tickets: £20; suitable for professional dancers and teacher DMD+ Hear! Hear! Sunday 28 September 2014 Performance at 5pm Tickets: £12 (£6 conc) BSL interpreted post show talk Workshop on Sunday 28 September from 2pm - 3.30pm; Tickets £4; suitable for young deaf people aged 12 - 25 Candoco Dance Company Curious Encounters Sunday 16 November 2014 Performance at 3pm Tickets: £6 Workshop on Sunday 16 November from 4.30pm – 6pm; Tickets £10 (including ticket for the performance); suitable for disabled and non-disabled dancers aged 13+ BSL Interpreted Candoco Dance Company Close Encounters Monday 17 November 2014 Performance at 7pm Tickets: £12 (£6 conc) Free pre-show dress rehearsal and discussion for ticket holders BSL Interpreted =dance Statement Pieces Thursday 11 December 2014 Performance at 7.45pm Tickets: £12 (£6 conc) Free BSL interpreted post-show discussion for ticket holders Magpie Dance Flying High Friday 16 January 2015 Performance at 7.15pm Tickets: £12 (£6 conc) Workshop on Friday 16 January from 3.45pm - 5.45pm; tickets £4 suitable for aspiring dancers with learning disabilities aged 18 - 30 Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler’s Wells Ticket Office 0844 412 4300 or www.sadlerswells.com Minicom number: 020 7863 8015 The inaugural =dance series continues with further productions, workshops, debates and discussions until March 2015, with further details to be announced shortly. About Sadler’s Wells Access Scheme Sadler’s Wells runs an Access for All Register for people with physical, sensory or cognitive disabilities. Patrons can apply to the scheme, which enables them to use our new online disabled booking service and free access to the theatre car park. They may also be entitled to concessionary tickets if they are in receipt of disability-related state benefits. The scheme entitles a reduction in the cost of their ticket and a companions ticket, limited to one per production and a reduced booking fee. For more information on the Access Scheme and to apply please visit the Sadler’s Wells website: http://www.sadlerswells.com/page/access-scheme 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 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 80 new dance works to the stage and its international award-winning commissions and collaborative productions regularly tour the world, including Sutra, zero degrees, and PUSH. Sadler’s Wells also provides a home to 16 world class Associate Artists and 3 Resident Companies including Sylvie Guillem, Akram Khan, Hofesh Shechter, Crystal Pite, Wayne McGregor | Random Dance, Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures and ZooNation. The theatre also supports 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. About DMD DMD is a group of dancers who each have different dance background; contemporary, hip-hop, lyrical jazz, ballet and commercial. The dancers work in collaboration with Mark Smith and incorporate each of their styles of dance into choreography along with sign-language. The collaboration with Mark Smith also allows the dancers to bring in their personal experience of being deaf into DMD’s work.

Welcome from me too Tjleaps. Tutugirl - to delete messages, open up the message you want to delete. You should see a red delete button on the top right hand side of the screen.

Christopher Bruce made a work called Quicksilver to the Nyman score. I believe it was to celebrate Rambert's 70th birthday. Although abstract I remember the truly magnificent Patricia Hines in a red dress who was perhaps an imagining of Marie Rambert.

Hello Alison and welcome to the Forum. I do hope we will hear more from you. I really enjoyed the Scottish Ballet segment and I always love the parade of athletes. Everyone looked so happy, it was a joy. I'm not quite sure why pop groups tend to feature so largely in these ceremonies and I think Rod Stewart should seriously think about retirement!

Just wanted you to know Regattah that you are all still in my thoughts. I do hope your daughter's blips are behind her now. Jxx

David Nixon did "A Sleeping Beauty Tale" for Northern Ballet which, I think, was set in 25th Century!

And my favourite R&Js are the Ashton (as it used to be performed by LFB/ENB) and Massimo Morricone/Christopher Gable's for NB.

Yes! Our Council is usually on top of street cleaning but it is bad there because people seem to just discard their ATM receipts.

Hello Stephen and welcome to the Forum! Thanks for the information. I do hope you will continue to contribute.