Kate

So glad to hear that Dave, thanks. Especially as in my previous post I deleted my lament about McNally not being given the same platform as others. For example Ondiviela, -whose piece I do really want to see, but the cynic in me help feeling that he has been allowed to leapfrog- McNally by having an evening of his work, even though she is the more experienced choreographer. Wish they could have maybe give McNally a longer/bigger platform rather than what I expect will be a fleeting piece in a short festival which sometimes does not get the same exposure as events in Linbury and mainhouse. Then again, hopefully I will be proved entirely wrong and the whole festival might be dominated by fresh female choreographic talent. I suppose we should be grateful for small crumbs-but why can't we have a slice of female choreographic cake ever?

I think it is indeed a 'brave' decision for McGregor to do another full length work but I am pleased that ROH are willing to take the risk as I thought Raven Girl showed genuine promise. I'm really excited that Woolf is to be tackled, I love the film (and book) The Hours which Mrs Dalloway is based on so both nervous and excited by what might be done with it. Max Richter seems an excellent choice as part of this collaboration and I hope McGregor and he can match, or even beat the pull of the heart and mind that Infra had. I know lots of people think it will just be 'more of the same contortions' from McGregor and to be honest I did not like his last piece (pseudo Cunningham-seemed very dated) but I think, at his best he can pull extraordinary performances out of some of the dancers. I just hope in Woolf Works the emotional capacity of dance is as tested as the dancers anatomical limits. On the downside I have to say that I am gutted that neither Les Noces nor Les Biches have been given much needed outings. The latter in particular I fear is in danger of being lost to The Royal Ballet as so few of the current generation have danced it. And on a related note it does sadden me that ROH once again seems a 99.1% female choreographer free zone. Shobana Jeyasingh seems to be the only woman choreographer listed and that is in the Linbury. Perhaps Kate Prince might choreograph for ZooNation too but ROH's lack of female choreographers, both support and development of is not excusable in 2014.

I think it is a good and healthy sign that dancers feel able to debate this (whether to go to Russia or not in (semi) public. And I agree with the ever eloquent Meunier that the current Ukraine/Russia situation might mean that RB and Marinsky tours might be cancelled due to escalating political tensions. Great to hear so many peoples varied opinions on this and other related issues.

2 for 1 tickets for ROH cinema season http://www.telegraph.co.uk/promotions/10679986/royal-opera-house-live-offer.html

I have little doubt too that the dancers would come under personal attack -but I was thinking more with regard to whether we should look to such institutions as ROH and RB to lead by example, i.e. take a stand against Putin's attempts to criminalise homosexuality. But as Chris says can or indeed should we say that sport/art should try not to get involved in politics? I think the arts cannot remain neutral, but at what point does one draw the line? Or even personally - if one is gay or supports gay rights should Russia be off limits or is that giving power to those who are trying to marginalise and discriminate? Does silence on such matters equate to a collusion or tacit approval of things happening in Russia and elsewhere. No right or wrong answers just really curious about what people think. Thanks for response MAB and Chris

Apologies if this has already been posted but I was just wondering what members here think about the Royal Ballet's proposed visit to Russian, given Putin's terrible state sanctioned homophobia. I know there are a few members of the company who are worried about their safety and at least one brave dancer who is refusing to go on the principle that to go would be like going to South Africa during apartheid. Do people think that the ROH or RB management should have to justify their decision to go? Are there any ways in which the company could go and yet take a stand against human rights abuses? Really interested to hear what people think.

Thanks for this Julia. I'm sorry you've had to cancel the Monday performance but I will definitely make it to at least one of the others and will spread the word to friends and colleagues at Roehampton University. Looking forward to Speak Easy Secrets too.

I'm very excited by this! Will it be the same programme of works running each night Julia ? Or is it best to book for all evenings if we want to see every choreographer?

Thanks Bruce - your review has convinced me it's worth returning tonight to catch the second half that I had to miss on Tuesday. In particular looking forward to seeing McNally's two extracts. I agree with you about Boonham's piece- definitely the most distinctive work of the first half and danced equistely especially by Kaneko-she really seemed to revel in the command that she had of the stage and Blommaert. It's the first draft works I've seen at ROH and I did wonder if it would work better if the pieces were shown first and then the choreographer's could talk to the audience about the work's inspiration/aims after the work had been shown. That way the audience gets to see the choreograph without being told what to think about it, sometimes the intentions of the choreographer may not come through in the work but it doesn't mean that the work doesn't have value / shouldn't be explored further.

Anyhow can anyone offer any other opinions about the draftworks evening? Any favourites dancerwise or choreographically? Did anyone stay for the talkback session at the end?

Zoe (and other dance critics) can often covey a lot in 420 words( or less) -I think it might be a badly edited piece, its seems rather disjointed. It's not that the piece lacks depth but rather insight-again not necessarily the writer's fault she might have been ruthlessly edited.

It does seem rather ironic that her piece reads like a draft review. What did everyone/anyone here think of the evening? Any favourites? I unfortunately could only stay for the first half as I had to get a very tired 10 year old back home but I liked the variety of works shown and think some definitely merit a repeat viewing- so am hoping to get back there tomorrow. Would love to know what others thought?

I also want a house there when I win the lottery! My best friend and my brother and sister in law have just moved back there so I have extra reasons to go back more frequently. Christopher Gable's was my hero growing up-when I saw him and Lynn Seymour in A Simple Man as a teenager I fell in love with ballet all over again. Love the history of your friend's house Janet.

So wish I'd known about this -my parents live in Knaresborough. It's the kind of beautiful small town that one longs to escape from when young but whose charm increases with every passing year. My 9 year old is currently staying up there with them and he is going through a bit of a Shakespeare craze at the moment so he would have loved this, will see if they can chase the production through the Dales over the weekend maybe. I am most envious of your theatrical travels Janet!

Thanks John

Can anyone give a brief overview of the performance? I loved Ek's version of Swan Lake but was rather underwhelmed by Bourne's- how does this compare to those? Choreographically or storyline wise? Does it references any other works, or versions of Swan Lake? How are the performances? Tempted to take advantage of one of the cheap ticket offers or get a student standby but not sure whether it is worth the trek into town, especially in this glorious heat (not so glorious on the tube!) Any comments/ideas/reviews very welcomed and very much appreciated

John- not sure who was responsible for the plethora of baby pink infantilised cards but they were not your nightmare I'm afraid, unless we are suffering from some dystopian group hallucinations! I've also pointedly asked several times why all the ballet merchandised and smaller children's clothes have to be pink and 'girlified'. Firstly I know many girls who don't like pink and secondly boys do ballet too! Or they would do perhaps if ROH encouraged the idea that ballet was for boys and girls.

Me too -is there a thread on here or could some kind soul tell us about what happened to BRB?

Hi Alison When I spoke to someone in the shop last week they said that they were redesigning the shop part of the website and that they were hoping that it would all be in place in September. I think it's such a shame that LOCOG have forced ROH just to sell the Olympic merchandise. What about all those tourists who come to London who would liKe to get something from the ROH? There are so many shops that sell LOCOG stock how many sell ROH merchandise? Anyway that's my mini rant over-it does seem a shame though that ROH couldn't get their online shop live in time for the temporary closure of their onsite store.

Thanks all-this is one of the reasons that I love this forum-how else would I get to hear all this? I really hadn't a clue whether it would be worth treking into town for a day seat and/or how early I'd have to get there but this information is both hopeful and invaluable. Brilliant news that returns and unsold day seats go on sale online around 11-I might not have to queue in the rain after all! I only discovered the forum a few months ago, I'd feel quite lost without it now.

Was wondering if anyone here had tried to get one of the 67day seats from the Royal Opera House before? Was contemplating attempting this tomorrow but have no idea of A) price range whether or not to expect massive queues or C) If the seats are any good or just ad sightline ones that they would usually struggle to sell. Would appreciate any advice/storeis from people's previous experiences. Many thanks

Thanks all for these great suggestions- have to say I was very pleasantly surprised that my son has asked to try ballet classes. It is a sad fact that there is still prejudice against boys doing ballet. My son loves dance classes and we go often to see productions, but he says that he doesn't tell anyone at school for fear of them making for of him Thankfully this hasn't stopped him from wanting to go, but it is a shame that he has to hide his passions from his peers. Hopefully things will continue to change for the better. My 3 year old is already asking to go dancing with his brother so fingers crossed that the next generation will be more enlightened! My own ballet teacher did wonderful boys classes but sadly she passed away last year (not to mention that the school is up in in Yorkshire!) Once again thanks for all these recommendations-will hopefully try and get him in somewhere soon. Best wishes Kate

Hi Was hoping someone might be able to recommend a good fun boys ballet class in London or Hertfordshire. My eldest son has just turned 9 and after doing street dance for a year wants to give ballet a go. He'd prefer a boys only class if possible. Any suggestions and/or advice very much appreciated Kate