Fonty

Only just noticed this. How sad.

Absolutely right, Janet. Been a very long time since I saw the film, but I looked at some images, and that is the one I was thinking of.

That floaty dress reminds me of those baby doll nightdresses they wore in films in the 60s. I think there is a film with someone like Britt Ekland wearing one? I don't dislike it. I think all the white outfits look rather nice, and certainly present an air of calmness, which is a relief after the herd of zebra that thundered across the French Open Courts. (Edited to add what is the plural of zebra? In my mind I think of it the same way as sheep, but i've got a feeling it might be zebras)

How come you have got CC tickets twice in one week, and I haven't managed anything.

Thoroughly enjoyed the Willis match yesterday. It could easily have been a 3 set whitewash by Federer, but although Willis was overawed in the first set, he pulled himself together later on. The result was as expected, but there were some entertaining shots and rallies, and Feddie had to do a bit more than just stand there and watch Marcus lose.

Yes, I watched Willis match too. Wonderful to watch him, he looked so joyful.

Posted on a Monday, I know, but: This weekend I: 1) Cleaned the house from top to bottom, and did all the laundry and ironing. 2) Completed all oustanding paperwork and filing 3) Did a fortnight's worth of shopping. 4) Told all my friends that I was only available for communication before midday. Yes, I am ready for Wimbledon. Have I forgotten anything?

If this is done, it would be helpful if the moderators could explain why threads have been locked or removed. What one person deems to be a political comment might simply be seen as a general remark by another person. Likewise something removed for other reasons e.g for being sexist, racist or whatever. I hope this forum doesn't become too politicially correct. Sorry to take it off topic.....

Apart from Sylvie's approach to the choreography, I wonder if part of the problem is the very different physique that she had, compared to the dancers who inspired Ashton? I am not thinking so much about her height, but the fact that she seemed to have a short torso and long limbs. The generation of dancers with the RB in Ashton's day seemed to have different proportions, without that ultra leggy look, so that there was less emphasis on the legs and more on the whole body. If that makes sense?

Yes, I did see that about Willis, Alison. What struck me is that he is still playing at the age of 25, when he is ranked 700 and something in the world. I don't know much about him, but that is quite old to be stuck down in the lowest ranks and playing in the Futures tournaments. I don't know what the prize money is like for those, but he must be struggling to cover his costs.

I like Bouchard, but I have always enjoyed watching Radwanska play. An intelligent player, who has a great ability to adapt to any situation, and does not rely on brute strength to win. And neither of those players grunt, either. Always a plus in my book.Actually there has been a distinct lack of grunting at Eastbourne (at least from the matches I have seen so far.) I was watching Konta v Kvitova on the red button, but the BBC seems to have developed a technical problem, and I am staring at a fixed screen. Funny, these things don't seem to happen when the men are playing.

I was a bit nervous about posting for that reason, but I think the link I showed takes an academic view, not a political one? I would add that I have no interest in politics, and am certainly not posting as part of any campaign. Melody, I've also seen the John Oliver clip, and it is very funny.

Very true, Janet. I have been going to the ballet since I was about 5, and there are always going to be certain dancers who do nothing for me. However, I think I can say that of the current crop of ladies, I can't think of a single one who doesn't deserve their place at the top. I haven't seen either Hayward or Takada in much yet, so I look forward to their future performances with great enthusiasm

For those of you like myself who are still thoroughly bemused by the whole issue, listen to the short lecture by Professor Michael Dougan, a professor of European Law at Liverpool Uni. It is not my intention to start a political thread, but I hope everyone else who is voting this week finds it as interesting and informative as I did.

I am just musing again here, but are the dancers themselves told why they haven't been promoted? Perhaps this is why Melissa Hamilton took a transfer to another company? Regarding Miss Hamilton, personally, I didn't think she was principal material - at least, not as far as the RB was concerned. I saw her in several purely classical solo roles, and thought she wasn't as good as some of the others. The style didn't seem to suit her. Just my own personal opinion, of course.

Well, personally I can't see that anything that has been said so far could be construed as going too far, although I appreciate that any thread can turn into a expression of agreements and disagreements regarding the topic being discussed. I didn't realise Choe had been with the RB ffor 13 years, and has been a first soloist for 8 years. In my mind she was still one of the fresh new youngsters coming through. Where does the time go? Regarding the reasons for promotion, I remember Dowell saying that raising Yanowsky to principal was his gift to her on his departure. I think I've got that right? Not that I am objecting to that, as I am a huge fan of hers. The sad thing is I feel she was never used properly once she got that promotion, although with her height, finding an appropriate partner was always going to be an issue. However, you would assume that anyone in a position to give promotions would think about that beforehand.

It is one of the great mysteries of life. Shops seem to have decided at some point over the last five years that what we want to look at is a complete outfit, with matching accessories. Ok, but then you have to have assistants on hand to point shoppers in the right direction. They seem to have become as rare as hens' teeth these days. And then when you eventually find one who isn't manning a till or walking very rapidly away in the opposite direction, they tell you that half the items on the exquistely dressed dummy are either out of stock, or haven't come in yet.

Totally shocked. I just couldn't believe it when it flashed up on my screen.

Lin, when I was typing my comment about Choe, I did think about Bussell. I believe she was not noted for her dramatic skills during the early part of her career. I was living abroad when Darcey was promoted, so I am not sure what the other female dancers were like at that time.

I don't suppose anyone knows the answer to this, but I'll ask it anyway. If someone on a lower pay grade regularly dances principal roles, do they get any extra money for doing so?

James, I haven't seen some of the things that both Hayward and Takada received praise for, but I have seen Choe in several things recently. I also saw her in Pigeons, and I said at the time that I actually preferred her to Cuthbertson, as she was more lively and less "balletic." I also saw all three of them on stage together in Within the Golden Hour, and thought she more than held her own. In fact, I liked her the best, there was a lovely lyrical quality to her dancing that stood out for me. I wonder if she might lack a little dramatic bite. perhaps? This is pure speculation on my part, but maybe she is seen as a bit too gentle a stage personality to be convincing in some of the tougher dramatic roles? .

What did she used to do? Apart from take drugs, that is.... Thank goodness for that. I wrote to the BBC and complained about Wimbledon2day(or whatever it was called), and got a reply along the lines of "we are gearing it towards a wider audience, some of whom do not know much about tennis." Well, they would have been none the wiser after watching that pile of rubbish. What is wrong with excerpts of various matches, followed by discussion and analysis by ex players? It is good enough for football.

Oh dear! Yes, I suppose those seats are "restricted view". I think I have only been on CC once, in all the years I have been entering the Wimbledon ballot, and I was right up the back. If I get anything at all, it is court 1, up in the roof somewhere. It is so cold up there, I hate it. I don't know what they have done to make it so drafty, but if I get those types of seats now, I don't take them.

Interesting article, Janet.

I've never been lucky enough to sit in the front row of Centre Court.