Anna C

It is really horrible. Sorry to go off topic but I do find that it's worse when I'm hungry. Tablets make me really drowsy but I find Traveleeze a Godsend, partly because they're pastilles and also because they work at lightning speed! :-)

Sugarplumsmum, I sympathise re. The travelsickness. I am the world's worst car and bus passenger and have to take Traveleeze for even the shortest journey. For some reason though, I don't have a problem on London buses. Can't decide whether it's because you sit higher, or what. So you might be ok on the bus. :-)

Oh gawd, I sympathise Fiz! Just had unexpected bills for singing exam and Grade 6 ballet exam fees. :-/

Hi taxi4ballet, I was always advised the following: Sleeveless or camisole A colour as opposed to black Not too strappy (i.e. a classical cut of leotard with simple lines, not lots of cross straps etc.) A nice "cut" at the leg to make the legline look as long as possible. Hair in a simple bun (or plaits on top of head if a little girl) with no decoration other than a matching simple ribbon (no flowers etc!) Hope that helps! :-)

Lil, do you mind me asking what the award actually is? Is it a scholarship award, or is the prize actual training, e.g. In the form of a masterclass?

There was a chap with a huge camera taking photos on Friday night too. I wondered if that was you, Dave? :-)

Effie, did you accidentally press "quote"? It looks as if you meant to post but instead quoted Pas de Quatre. :-)

Could someone post about it afterwards? Thanks! :-)

Yes thank you! :-). Mr Spanner concerned about the pillar in front of me but it was fine. No seat in front of dd and I so she could see everything (and room to put my crutches! Bonus!)

I think - not sure - that Hertfordshire does come under the Midlands region (although we do our Vocational exams at London HQ)...?

Rats, why didn't I know about it? :-((

Well, you're asking the million dollar question, asking what exactly the schools look for! :-)

Is it only a Midlands region RAD thing?

Wow. There is some serious flexibility and strength there. Not sure about them calling it "Folk Dance" though; it was much more like a very well executed gymnastics display.

Yes, I agree Glowlight. Names and achievements may not have any bearing on a student's performance in an audition but the cumulative experiences you have do make a difference, particularly if your dance training consists of syllabus and Associate classes but little or no performance experience. This is one of the reasons why people scrimp and save to afford EYB etc.

I know next to nothing about critiquing a performance other than whether or not I enjoyed it! We were there last night as a late birthday treat for daughter, who absolutely loved it. Having never seen Costa and Nunez "live" before, there was a lovely rapport between them, and Marianela was as beautiful and expressive as I had hoped. There were several of the obligatory six o clock penchees which personally I don't particularly like, and at one point there was a knot in the pink ribbon which I'm not sure was supposed to be there. :-) Loved Will Tuckett's Widow Simone and the relationship between "her" and Lise. The show had the atmosphere of best friends getting together to revive a favourite ballet and having a simply lovely time. I don't think daughter and I stopped smiling all the way through. My apologies for the extremely untechnical "review" but from this ballet Mum and young teenage dancing daughter it was just lovely.

I don't know a single teenage girl who isn't insecure about their body shape in comparison to other teenage girls. :-) The girls in my dd's Associate class (all 13 and 14) are all slim BUT with varying sizes of bust, hips, bottoms and thighs. They're all growing at different rates and look different from one week to the next. The dance physio says that teenagers change right up until about 17 and much depends on hormones, amount and type of exercise etc. The really slim flat chested ones may not look like that a year from now. As long as your dd is eating the right amount and type of food to keep her fuelled for dancing then that's fine.

68 now. ;-)

Pointing out that muscle is heavier than fat is quite a good one. :-)

My dd thought she had "fat thighs" for a while in Junior School. She was only on the 5th centile for weight and that didn't mean anything to her until I explained that if there were 100 girls in the school hall, 95 of them would be heavier than her. She could visualise that so it helped. :-)

I can! :-s

I'd be inclined to agree Rowan, but I'm not sure how it works - is it a one performance at a time thing, Janice &Ellen?

Very difficult decision! If I were you I think I would at least try, even if you give it a probation period. If it turns out to be too difficult and other things are suffering, at least you will have given it a good go. Xx

C4D, I remember my dd having a really horrible day during her first week at secondary school. It was awful to see her so upset, particularly given that had we had more money, she could have been at Tring studying Musical Theatre. BUT it didn't take long before she had made a lovely group of friends, all either into Music or Dance (whereas at Primary School she was the odd one out in that respect) she got several choir solos, and settled in well and truly. This sadness and disappointment WILL pass - for both of you. xxx

Mmm, I was just thinking about my nephew who absolutely shot up in his late teens and is now about 6'2! His Dad is about 5'10 and Mum is 5'8. Boys definitely seem to have their growth spurt later. :-)