capybara

This Gala is also mentioned on the Cadogan Hall thread. Sounds great as does the initiative itself.

Casting information is now on the ENB's website as follows: Ballet Bold: Wednesday 3rd May 2017, Evening In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated Tiffany Hedman, James Streeter, Alison McWhinney Cesar Corrales, Rina Kanehara, Fernando Bufalá, Crystal Costa Madison Keesler, Sarah Kundi Adagio Hammerklavier Katja Khaniukova, James Forbat Laurretta Summerscales, Fabian Reimair Tamara Rojo, Isaac Hernández Sleeping Beauty Act III (in order of Aurora and the Prince) Laurretta Summerscales and Emilio Pavan Le Corsaire: Fri 5 May 2017, Evening Tamara Rojo, Medora; Isaac Hernández, Conrad; Laurretta Summerscales, Gulnare; Jinhao Zhang, Lankendem; Cesar Corrales, Ali; Fernando Bufalá, Birbanto Sat 6 May 2017, Matinee Katja Khaniukova, Medora; Fernando Bufalá, Conrad; Rina Kanehara, Gulnare; Ken Saruhashi, Lankendem; Cesar Corrales, Ali; Erik Woolhouse, Birbanto Sat 6 May 2017, Evening Tamara Rojo, Medora; Isaac Hernández, Conrad; Laurretta Summerscales, Gulnare; Jinhao Zhang, Lankendem; Cesar Corrales, Ali; Erik Woolhouse, Birbanto

Isn't he? Sorry, but I would have reached for the mute button in the cinema last week (Jewels) if one had been available.

Unless the ballet man can dance a pdd variation his contribution is masked by his partner and the way she dances is likely to affect judgements. It doesn't feel like a level playing field. While watching on TV, I was also wondering how it felt as a theatre experience. So much of what was going on seemed to be for the cameras rather than for the live (paying) audience. A huge "well done" to the 5 candidates and good wishes for the future. Edited to add that it is such a pity that the article in Links features a picture of Darcey Bussell rather than the winner .

I think that this has been mentioned on another thread. People seem to buy tickets on a 'group' basis and advertise them online in the form of an 'event'. The location you speak of is where the members of the group are asked to meet up with the organiser. But I know that someone will correct me if I am mistaken.

Thank you ToThePointe. I know that I will watch the finals with added interest as a result of your interviews

I agree but a Director also has to bear in mind the need to challenge and thereby further develop his/her Principals/senior Soloists. No easy task to plan the rep. with so many considerations in mind.

All the posters about last night have beaten me to it. Way back in this thread I was a somewhat reluctant participant at the Jewels party but I have really enjoyed a run of shows which has been enhanced by some truly wonderful performances: Nagdhi; Choe; Morera; Hayward; Hay; Richardson; O'Sullivan; Gasparini in Emeralds pretty much everyone in Rubies but a special mention for Benjamin Ella, now firing on all cylinders, and 'super-sub' Leo Dixon among the supporting (unlisted) men Muntagirov and Nunez in Diamonds, alas not together, and the first cast 'backing quartet' of Calvert; Nagdhi; Stix-Brunell; Heap As importantly, the Company as a whole glistened throughout. Huge thanks to everyone

I'm quite glad that there isn't going to be a DVD. I regret to say that I didn't think that the RB put its best face forward for worldwide screening and one or two 'elements' of that particular performance are maybe best forgotten. On the positive side, I enjoyed the alternative views and close-ups afforded in the cinema although I do agree that the focus on individual dancers somewhat interrupted the flow of the corps work in Diamonds in particular. When I read Jeffrey Taylor in Links I did rather wonder how he would be 'dealt with' on BCF if he were a 'poster' rather than a critic ! ! !

The odd ticket here and there for Watson/Osipova Mayerlings is coming up online on a fairly regular basis.

The RB has been encouraging people to sponsor roles/costumes for around 10 years at least. ENB has adopted a similar practice.

Vadim Muntagirov won the YAGP in 2008 while at the RBS Benjamin Ella was the runner up the same year.

The results are here: http://yagp.org/?page_id=6637 In the seniors Jan Spunda (Czech Republic) who studies at the ENB School achieved 3rd place and the Outstanding Artistry Award. Lazaro Corrales (brother of Cesar) was second in the junior age division. Many congratulations! The Grand Prix was not awarded this year. Last year, this was won by Joonhuk Jun (South Korea) of the RBS who now has an Aud Jebsen contract with the RB for 2017/18. Interestingly, two other successful candidates from 2016 are now at the RBS: Makensie Henson (Australia) and Yu Hang (China) who has featured featured in Concerto in the schools gala in Paris.

Probably David Yudes - now in his second year in the company having been the Prix de Lausanne Apprentice in 2014/15.

Have just spotted two evenings of ballet advertised for the Cadogan Hall: 18th June http://www.cadoganhall.com/event/natalia-kremen-ballet-foundation-gala-170618/ and 19th July: https://www.balletunited.com/

It was really good last night to see some 'second cast' dancers acquitting themselves so well - notably Leo Dixon as one of the four supporting men in Rubies (the others were Zucchetti, Sambe and Acri (Ella having been the fourth on previous outings). Unfortunately, the second cast line-up of the four girls (of dissimilar heights) in Diamonds gave me the feeling of their needing more rehearsal time, likewise the full ensemble at the end which also included some 'newcomers'. But it didn't really matter when Naghdi was being even more glorious in Emeralds and Muntagirov was wowing everyone again in Diamonds..

Polunin's two performances are now sold out.

It is very much in the tradition of Mayerling that the dancer playing Rudolf takes solo curtain calls. But lovely to read that the Munich audience was so appreciative.

Claire Calvert joined the RB in 2007.

I know I simply included a reference to Melissa as questions seemed to have been raised on here about her status.

Still not quite there in my admiration for the ballet itself but individual performances in Jewels continue to be entrancing. Yet, even in that illustrious company, Vadim Muntagirov appears in a class of his own. His dancing and stage persona define every meaning of DIAMOND there could possibly be. What he gives us is truly special and transporting. BRAVO!

The RB roster for 2017/18 in the Season Guide includes 3 of this year's Aud Jebsen Young Dancers: Giacomo Rovero; Francisco Serrano and Charlotte Tonkinson all of whom have featured in the current Draft Works. The Aud Jebsen Young Dancers for the coming year will be: Joonhyuk Jun; Joshua Junker; Sae Maeda; Nadia Mullova-Barley and Aiden O'Brien. Iana Salenko remains listed as a Guest Principal. Johannes Stepanek (who was given a leaving present at the recent Ballet Association Dinner) is no longer listed as a First Soloist. Melissa Hamilton remains there, however. Of course, these lists run ahead of summer announcements about promotions, leavers and other joiners.

Oh, thank you. That's interesting as the general material online doesn't seem to say that. But I have found it now in the Press Release itself which is also online: http://www.roh.org.uk/for/press-and-communications

Thank you very much BBB I don't suppose Kevin said whose Swan Lake it would now be? I ask because, since the initial announcement, this has morphed from a new production by Liam Scarlett to one with "additional choreography" by him. Interesting to note that Gary Harris (who seemed to spring from almost nowhere to being a (the) primary 'stager' of MacMillan) has now extended his talents to design!!!!

Have you any 'inside stories' to offer us, BBB? Did Kevin O'Hare share the thinking behind his programming? How was the announcement received by the Press? What sort of questions were asked? Was there anything that struck you in particular?