LinMM

So glad not that age again so extremely self conscious! I can remember HATING having to wear a bra and suspender belts for stockings lol! So some things have improved! When performing I found the nude under leotard thingy very helpful.

Many thanks for your above 5⭐️review Nogoat.

Hi Michelle as you know when we met in November at the Chelsea Ballet annual show …amazingly so soon after your big op….I did say don’t push it too much initially on physical activity like ballet even though I got one of your looks…what me push it? I don’t think all is lost at all regards you being able to continue with ballet but you’ve just been through a huge event for the body and have to take things …gradually… I know you weren’t keen to take the NHS standard classes offered after such an event but I wish you had!! Of course this would have been nothing compared with what you were doing before but after a heart attack you don’t need to prove anything not even to yourself ….just gently get back into shape… Its a lot to contend with not being sure how far to push yourself and how to use the spray you’ve been given etc . but as with any “injury” in the end you just have to be patient if you want longevity of return. I know you are worried about losing your pointework skills so recently gained but really I wouldn’t give this a priority just at the moment …just a small amount at the barre ( not more than 10-15 mins) to keep the feet used to the pointe shoes but just doing a normal ballet barre of about 40-45 mins ….without any centre work… may be enough ballet at the moment. It’s very disappointing when you have major setbacks. I knew with my serious ankle injury back in 2019 and with just not having the degree of breath from normal older age ( we are both mid 70’s after all!!!) that I wouldn’t be able to join certain classes anymore. But that hasn’t stopped me finding a way to practise and enjoy ballet and as I told you in November I’m loving it more now as a Silver Swan than at almost any other time. Im not saying you should become a Silver Swan but just be patient with yourself and take a little time for the moment just to improve the basics …enjoy dancing the barre….while you are re building your stamina and strength. You don’t want to end up pushing yourself into a situation where your body starts failing you and you feel you have to give everything up! Weve had some wonderful ballet experiences together …probably St Petersburg will remain the highlight …how many adult ballet dancers have had that opportunity….and you were such an intrepid support and a laugh while we found ourselves in small local cafes where not a word of English was spoken and we hadn’t a clue what was on the picture less menu lol!! Take it easy Michelle ( though I know you hate that idea) and we might just make another last adventure we both couldn’t make this year…on that Coli stage next December!! ❤️

Unfortunately a good London Physio I knew is no longer living there and it would be a bit of a trek for you to Brighton as definitely have a couple of really good people here I can recommend. So hope somebody can help you. One thing I was a little puzzled by in your post is you said you were doing pointework…before.. your class. The usual advice is always to do pointework when you are fully warmed up so after the barre at least or even better at the end of the class if more of a newbie. Maybe it’s the time constraints on where you practice but just interested in the pointework being first.

Not sure if there is some sort of “in joke” going on here but if you have really broken your ankle BBB four weeks is still early days so hoping you have a speedy recovery back to normality Breaking bones can be just so disruptive and annoying for your life.

I took it as new choreography with no reference to the age or newness to creating new pieces of Dance of the choreographers. Otherwise it would have said something like “next generation” or “Young” choreographers. Perhaps it should just have been titled “New Works”

A friend has just told me!!

I very much enjoyed Mthuthuzeli November’s work Wailers seen last June at the Linbury so would look forward to seeing more of his work.

Well I’m not sure about the young reporter from Local London I get the impression could have been almost a first visit to the Ballet! Her comments on Junkers Piece seemed to reveal she didn’t realise that not all ballets are performed in tutus or that this was a very new thing. The final comment that the Royal Ballet with these works is hoping to preserve the fading art of ballet performance for generations to come struck me as a little naive as a bit of an ingenue to ballet which is fine ….but writing as a professional ballet critic?

Well at least Teresa Guerreiro thought Twinkle was a Work of “intense beauty” Whats wrong with pure beauty and joyful musical dance. Sounds great to me!! I definitely don’t think calling a new work a dud is particularly helpful even if wasn’t to your taste I say this with all the authority of somebody who hasn’t seen it lol! But where Ballet is concerned there are some friends judgements I trust implicitly!

A friend of mine who went said Twinkle was her favourite Piece too. As everybody seems to be liking this Work I do hope it will get another outing in a triple bill at some point.

Also the nearer the date you book a hotel the more expensive it is!

Very pleased for you Alison!

No let’s just get back to summer casting. Some asides are not worth a new thread!!

It’s a few years now since have managed full plies in class except in 2nd position!

Really sorry about your fine Sim! I’m not up to date with congestion charges now as I thought they didn’t charge at weekends!! I know my partner when he has to go to Islington drives a bit of a roundabout route into London from Brighton to avoid it but these days still gets hit with the ULEZ charge so not too happy about that!! I know with things like the Dartford crossing which we use quite a bit it’s best to register and it automatically tops up when gets down to about £10 but saves you worrying having to find somewhere to pay it within a prescribed timescale otherwise. Things went a bit awry with his carefully planned route via Hackney to Liverpool Road after Covid when suddenly found he couldn’t drive along certain roads always had been able to before and narrowly escaped being fined for turning into the wrong road refinding his way.

Well will be interested in the new Nutcracker ( especially if it’s true no RB Nutcracker in December) and as I missed the Skeaping Giselle this time a great chance to see next January though I know others may be disappointed about this if did see it recently. I’m surprised no Corsair..I’m always up for a Corsaire… so hope that’s the following year. Otherwise probably just one trip to Forsyth and to Khans Giselle… as haven’t seen that since 2018 in Southampton. What I call an okay season rather than a wow one.

As with every age/decade there are swings and roundabouts! I enjoy a great deal about being older …having more confidence generally acceptance of limitations and not worrying so much what others think and do try to make the most of what I can do still! But most people who make the three scores and ten decade have some degree of health problems even if minor ones ( like thin bones my personal bugbear!) so not all a bed of roses and joy! (though having a passion like ballet certainly helps) just as the 20’s aren’t …trying to establish yourself in the World…not easy. Back to summer casting I do hope the Ashton casts are out soon and hope some tickets left by public booking.

Looking at the role of Perdita and “newbies” versus principals dancing the role it really only affects Akane Takada as far as I can see. So it could well be as Richard LH has said that Akane is sort of coming back slowly as she has the big Swan Lake role coming up in June ( which I am hoping to see) so am sure this is just a wonderful chance for Viola. From what I’ve seen of her dancing I think she will be perfect in this role and as it is Wheeldon’s ballet perhaps he’s been specifically looking for someone to replace Takada and seen the particular qualities he wants in Pantuso. Wishing all dancers new to roles in TWT the very best of success.

Thanks for the videos Sim! I only recognised the middle one “It’s a Sin” which no doubt a hit back in the day! Though probably to Pet Shop Boys fans it’s a sin I can’t recall any of their songs!!

By the way it is very clearly still on the websites of Southern Rail and Thameslink so not sure which website you are looking at Kate Eastwood 🤔

I found it on the website when you go into the date section and then double checked at the station. It’s the same the next weekend too (24/25th) ..I’ve got a print out they gave me. I know about the Littlehampton route though they didn’t mention that option at Brighton station on the day I called in. Usually the bus option used to be quicker but not this time. They are short of bus drivers so going via Haywards Heath as well instead of directly to Three Bridges. I was warned that there could be some waiting around involved too for drivers etc. I got this info about two weeks ago now so don’t know if anything has changed since. Perhaps there are so few drivers they’ve abandoned that and gone just for the Littlehampton option. Wouldn’t surprise me. Another journey which takes 2 and a half hours or so! Im not so keen these days to do five hours or more travelling in one day to see shows though I know some people do just not for me any more! I’ve just found the print out and I was at the station on Feb3rd

Has Campbell danced Oberon before perhaps he is as somebody else suggested being used more in the Ashton …if he hasn’t performed it before I think he’d be an excellent Oberon.

Ah yes …how annoying that the ROH obviously know this casting and can’t be bothered to add to the other main names. Also Muntagirov is playing Leontes down the line with Kaneko. Whoops sorry Fiona I see you said Bracewell not Muntagirov as being not in the “best” role for them!

I can’t see Polixenes casting at all at least not on the website 🤔