Jan McNulty

I've just had an email from Hotter advertising their summer "pumps" (yes, I know I'm showing my age!) with various patterns including floral, spots and stripes.

I LOVE HOTTER SHOES! Lots of my friends love Hotter Shoes but we are a bunch of old fogies (one requires support since breaking her foot a few years ago and one has very short wide feet)! The company is based in Skelmersdale and most of the shoes are made in the UK. I know there are shops in Southport and Norwich and I am sure there must be others around as well as the company offering a mail order service.

Northern Ballet have released more detail of their new ballet for children: Northern Ballet announce first short ballet for small people Ugly Duckling, Northern Ballet’s first short ballet for small people, will be performed in Leeds this autumn. Supported by Leeds Inspired the project is designed to encourage children to see their first ballet and introduce young families across Leeds to Northern Ballet. Ugly Duckling will be choreographed by Northern Ballet dancers Dreda Blow and Sebastian Loe. Based on the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, Ugly Duckling is the story of a lonely duckling who doesn’t fit in with her friends. Throughout the ballet, the duckling learns about herself and those around her and when she learns to love who she is she turns into a beautiful swan and begins a happy new life. The colourful production for children aged four and up will feature a host of animal characters including cats, frogs and a fox. The performance time will be 40 minutes in length and the music performed will range from classical compositions to the theme tunes of popular children’s cartoons. Sebastian Loe said, ‘The great thing about Ugly Duckling and other children's stories is that they teach important and timeless values from a young age. The message we want to put across in Ugly Duckling is that we should be confident in embracing who we are and ultimately we should not be afraid of being ourselves.’ To develop the production, Northern Ballet has employed the expertise of families across Harehills and Chapeltown. Selina McGonagle Director of Learning at Northern Ballet said, “Children will assist in the creation of the work to ensure the production is lively and engaging. Ugly Duckling will be made with children for children. The production will be performed with Northern Ballet dancers in communities outside the city centre to give more people access to live theatre.” Ugly Duckling will be performed in Leeds communities over the summer and will be accompanied by education activities at duck ponds across Leeds. The performance will tour around the region before coming to the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre on 29 October for 14 performances. Dreda Blow who co-choreographed the production said, ‘According to my parents, I saw my first ballet when I was only two years old and was absolutely riveted! I sat perfectly still, my eyes glued to the stage the entire time. If our production of Ugly Duckling inspires children to start ballet lessons then that's great, but most importantly I hope it awakens in them a love and appreciation for the magic of dance and theatre in general. Sebastian and I want to create a performance rich in personality and humour with lots of impressive, beautiful dancing as well. I can't wait to see the children's reactions on première night!’ http://northernballet.com/index.php?q=press-release/12-06-11/northern-ballet-announce-first-short-ballet-small-people

Aileen, I've always loved watching Tamara dance since I saw her as a whippersnapper with Scottish Ballet but, like you, I think she has got a lot on her plate with the ADship of ENB and I hope she is not distracted too much from that.

Sadly, I can't make this trip Aileen (but at least I still have my memories of Munich!). Have you noticed that the performances don't start till 22:30. For Coppelia that would mean an end time of 01:00 in the morning and even later for the mixed programme! When I went to Barcelona last year, the theatre performances started at 21:00 and that was bad enough!

BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET’S 2012 INTERNATIONAL TOUR to GRANADA Two performances only at the 61st INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF MUSIC AND DANCE Peter Wright’s COPPÉLIA anda triple bill includingDirector David Bintley’s TAKE FIVE Birmingham Royal Ballet will close its 2011/12 season with two spectacular outdoor performances at the Teatro del Generalife in Granada next month as part of the 61st International Festival of Music and Dance. Birmingham Royal Ballet will perform Coppélia, one of the company’s established favourites by the Company’s Director Laureate Sir Peter Wright on Thursday 5 July, and a triple bill of Joe Layton’s The Grand Tour, Director David Bintley’s Take Five and Frederick Ashton’s The Dream on Saturday 7 July. The performances will mark Birmingham Royal Ballet’s first visit to Spain in the Company’s 22 year history, building further international links by carrying the torch for the City of Birmingham and UK arts in its role as a city and cultural ambassador. The forthcoming 61st International Festival of Music and Dance of Granada will be staged in 10 different venues over 17 days, from 22 June through to 8 July. Birmingham Royal Ballet’s performances will take place at the Teatro del Generalife in the wonderful open air grounds of the Alhambra Palace, a fourteenth century World Heritage Site. The festival will host 29 performances and related dance, music and theatre events, featuring eight ensembles or solo artists from overseas and twelve from Spain. Orquesta Ciudad de Granada will play for the Company’s performances during the internationally-renowned festival, with the exception of Take Five, for which a jazz quartet from the Colin Towns Band will travel to Granada from the UK to play the famous Dave Brubeck music. The Birmingham Cathedral Choir will also perform alongside Birmingham Royal Ballet and Orquesta Ciudad de Granada for Felix Mendelsson’s famous music for The Dream on Saturday 7 July. As well as the two performances, which are expected to draw an audience of over 4000 people, Birmingham Royal Ballet will also provide a unique opportunity for young Spanish dancers. Assistant Director Marion Tait along with Ballet Masters Michael O’Hare, Wolfgang Stollwitzer and Dominic Antonucci will run ballet master classes during the tour for aspiring young ballet dancers living in the Granada area. Approximately 100 members of Birmingham Royal Ballet will travel to Granada for the performances including dancers, Artistic team, technical staff and physiotherapists. Birmingham Royal Ballet’s performances in Granada will be part of a wider dance interest at this year’s festival with further performances from Flamenco dancer Rafaela Carrasco, The Ballet of the Opera of Munich, Spanish dancer Olga Pericet and the María Pagés Compañía. ENDS Further information on the 61st International Festival of Music and Dance of Granada and Birmingham Royal Ballet’s performances can be found at: www.granadafestival.org or www.brb.org.uk Birmingham Royal Ballet’s International Tour to Granada 2012 - Performance dates and times: Coppélia at theTeatro del Generalife, Granada Thursday 5 July, 10.30pm Alhambra 2012 Mixed Programme (The Grand Tour / Take Five / The Dream) at the Teatro del Generalife, Granada Saturday 7 July, 10.30pm

Alison - it's only being shown at WYP, which is a very different performance space for Northern Ballet. As well as NB fans, their performances usually attract WYP play-goers too. It's a wonderful venue and we love going there.

Sim - it didn't exist when I visited Prague (1987). I feel another trip planning session is required for this most beautiful of cities.

David Bintley on the similarity between football and ballet managers: http://www.sundaymercury.net/news/midlands-news/2012/06/10/footballers-really-are-ballerinas-says-the-man-behind-birmingham-royal-ballet-66331-31151977/ David Bintley on having to rename his new work: http://www.sundaymercury.net/news/midlands-news/2012/06/10/olympic-chiefs-slap-ban-on-birmingham-s-new-ballet-show-66331-31151974/

The details of Northern Ballet's Autumn 2012 season (and the start of the 2013 Spring Season) are on the Company's website: http://northernballe...q=whats-on-tour Here are the details: Ondine (David Nixon) Leeds, West Yorkshire Playhouse Sat 8 September - Sat 15 September The company has set up a mini-site about Ondine: http://northernballe...ex.php?q=ondine Amongst other items there is a synopsis of the plot and details of some pre and during seaon events Madame Butterfly Sheffield, Lyceum theatre Tue 18 September - Sat 22 September Manchester Palace Theatre Tue 25 September - Sat 29 September Nottingham, Theatre Royal Tue 9 October - Sat 13 October Beauty and the Beast Norwich, Theatre Royal Tue 2 October - Sat 6 October Bradford, Alhambra Theatre Wed 24 October - Sat 27 October Woking, New Victoria Theatre Tue 30 October - Sat 3 November Canterbury, Marlowe Theatre Tue 6 November - Sat 10 November Aylesbury, Waterside Theatre Tue 13 November - Sat 17 November Bath, Theatre Royal Tue 27 November - Sat 1 December Ugly Duckling (a ballet for children) Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre Mon 29 October - Fri 2 November Nutcracker Leeds, Grand Theatre Tue 18 December - Sun 30 December The Great Gatsby Leeds, Grand Theatre Sat 2 March - Sat 9 March (Dates and times are subject to change without notice.)

I don't think you are too fussy. Not that I am a dancer, but I wouldn't buy shoes of any sort with the faults you have listed.

John, thanks for linking the "Fred and Ginger" article - it's wonderful.

I saw Danza Contemporanea de Cuba at the Lowry last night. Having missed the Lowry on their last tour, I was really looking forward to seeing them after rave reviews from friends. The company were performing a triple bill. I will say from the outset that the dancers were fabulous. The first piece was Itzik Galili's Sombrisa. The lighting was dark but effective and the dancers wore boxing gloves. Apart from the last few minutes, I am afraid that I was bored rigid. As the lady sitting next to me said, the whole time we were waiting for something to happen - but it just didn't. The boxing gloves made such partnering as there was look clumsy. The only effective section for me was at the end when the drum score finished and the dancers off stage were singing in Spanish about the white sheets hanging off the balconies in Havana. The lights brightened and we could see the dancers expressive faces and finally there was some lyrical choreography. This was all too brief. The second piece was Kenneth Kvarnstrom's Carmen?! for seven male dancers. Apart from the music and some bull and torreador like movements, I've got no idea why it was called Carmen. It was insubstantial and mildly amusing and a waste of good dancers. The final piece, George Cespedes' Mambo 3XXI, made the whole evening worthwhile! It was full of verve, style and the heat of Cuban nights. It gave the whole company the chance to show off and we finally saw their full talent and skill. It was lively, terrific and I and the rest of the audience loved it! A great end to the evening. I am really glad I went to see this company but I wish they had been better served by the productions on offer.

Arky, thanks for posting the info and welcome to the forum.

Oh Trog - you've made me want to see this! I am seeing the company perform the Tempest in Buxton and am very much looking forward to it.

Ian posted this in today's links but I thought it could also be a useful part of this discussion: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/9acf0e0e-afcd-11e1-b737-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1xEKNKf2O I would be interested to know if the Arts Troubleshooter programme had resulted in a rush of donations too.

There's a celebration concert in Copenhagen for our Queen's diamond jubilee. Scroll down for details: http://cphpost.dk/inout/tastes-judaism-england-cake-and-picnic

BRB have posted the casting for Far from the Madding Crowd in Birmingham. I'm sooooooooooo excited! Casting for 20 - 30 June 2012 Birmingham Hippodrome Unless otherwise noted, performances by Birmingham Royal Ballet are accompanied by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, the orchestra of Birmingham Royal Ballet; leader: Robert Gibbs. 20 June 2012 7:30 pm Far from the Madding Crowd Gabriel Oak: Joseph Caley Sergeant Troy: Iain Mackay Bathsheba Everdene: Elisha Willis William Boldwood: Matthew Lawrence Conductor: Paul Murphy 21 June 2012 2:00 pm Far from the Madding Crowd William Boldwood: Tyrone Singleton Bathsheba Everdene: Natasha Oughtred Gabriel Oak: Mathias Dingman Sergeant Troy: Jamie Bond Conductor: Paul Murphy 21 June 2012 7:30 pm Far from the Madding Crowd Gabriel Oak: Joseph Caley Sergeant Troy: Iain Mackay Bathsheba Everdene: Elisha Willis William Boldwood: Matthew Lawrence Conductor: Sutherland, Gavin 22 June 2012 7:30 pm Far from the Madding Crowd William Boldwood: Tyrone Singleton Bathsheba Everdene: Natasha Oughtred Sergeant Troy: Jamie Bond Gabriel Oak: Mathias Dingman Conductor: Paul Murphy 23 June 2012 2:30 pm Far from the Madding Crowd Gabriel Oak: Joseph Caley Sergeant Troy: Iain Mackay Bathsheba Everdene: Elisha Willis William Boldwood: Matthew Lawrence Conductor: Sutherland, Gavin 23 June 2012 7:30 pm Far from the Madding Crowd Bathsheba Everdene: Natasha Oughtred William Boldwood: Tyrone Singleton Gabriel Oak: Mathias Dingman Sergeant Troy: Jamie Bond Conductor: Paul Murphy

Thanks for posting the information Pherank. Welcome to the balletcoforum. I'm sorry I don't have any more information on this but please keep us up to date if you hear any more (or anyone else come to think of it).

Great photographs as usual Dave. Thanks!

19 albums not including compilations between 1967 and 2003. They are touring America in the Winter too. http://www.moodybluestoday.com/index.cfm/pk/content/pid/400332

Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah Huuuuuuuuuuubuuuuuuuuuuuug. That was me yesterday! The two highlights of my day were taking Chunky to the beach and a trip to the supermarket!

Here's the link to the page: http://www.eno.org/see-whats-on/productions/production-page.php?&itemid=2203

I know a number of friends who are hoping for a return to normal with a spring visit too. Although I don't get down to Plymouth very often, when I first came down the company used to do three seasons in Plymouth with one in June or July too. I remember a very happy week of Sleeping Beauties at the end of June 2003!

I'm ashamed to admit that I gave up on FFTMC after 9 pages. I love the ballet though!