alison

Oh, Acosta's still a draw all right. Is he in something in the Linbury? Don't forget that has a limited number of seats.

Yes, when I was looking to change ours last year I noted that many policies automatically covered students belongings, e.g. during term time or whatever. I agree: ask your insurer.

Thank you, Angela. Talking of which, and getting a bit off-topic, how is NDT3 doing these days? I don't seem to have heard much of them recently.

I still have a working VCR too, so I might be interested.

Well, for someone who never has been, and is never likely to go, on pointe, this thread has been a real eye-opener! I knew it was difficult getting pointe shoes fitted, but really didn't think it was quite this difficult! Jane's suggestion immediately above sounds very sensible. I imagine that half-term would be very busy, so in my inexperience it sounds to me that the sooner you get those appointments made the better - and I would think leave yourself plenty of time, because you really don't want to be rushed about this. Ladies, is there anything else beckyl needs to do in advance - things she needs to note down, things to bring with her (I see the unsuccessful shoes have already been mentioned)? Does she need, for example, to warn either shop if she's expecting something distinctly out of the ordinary, or do they always carry everything, in every conceivable size?

20??? My goodness. I could understand how that might have led to those suicides we read about recently in the press. Can't your friend get her mother on the Telephone Preference Service, or won't that help? Poor woman. I am, however, concerned that, as we digress from the original topic, it be clear that nobody is suggesting that BRB, or for that matter any other dance company, is using such tactics.

Oops

Before we lose it, I thought I'd better copy this article from today's links in somewhere: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/04/arts/dance/bounding-across-space-and-time-via-dvd.html?_r=1#

Ah. I wonder whether that is in any way linked to the fact that there were a load of red balloons and people in red T-shirts with, perhaps, leaflets standing outside my local Red Cross charity shop this morning when I went past? I was on the other side of the road, so didn't get any further information.

It isn't. It's a Wednesday. Curses.

Okay, computer thinks it knows better than I do what seats I want. Guess I'll have to pop in sometime, speak to a human being and buy something. If I remember, which is debatable.

Oh heck, when *is* the Thurs matinee? I'd forgotten I needed to take that into consideration. I've assumed that, recently at least, it's been because of the situation with knowing about availability of the ballerinas. I quite agree. It's also a good point that people who have already given may not appreciate being pressurised to give more. I'm trying to remember whether I have in fact technically donated specifically to BRB in the past. If not, then we're back to the situation of my data being used for purposes I would probably never have accepted had I known.

Just received this in my inbox: DANCE POWER: SUNDAY 11 OCTOBER 2015 Why we’ll be lacing up our best shoes to see Dance Power at Theatre Royal Drury Lane… • It’s for a worthy cause. By buying a ticket YOU get to help the Red Cross with all their amazing work here in the UK and across the world. You are the best. • It’s diverse. There are different styles of dance throughout the show- from Bollywood to Flamenco to Ballet- so whatever your mood, it is sure to be catered for. It’s star-studded. Too many to mention all BUT….Strictly Come Dancing Stars Alijaz and Janette and Ian Waite and Natalie Lowe. Plus, Dame Beryl Grey and Babs Powell to name but a few… And, if you indeed know your flamenco music, the one and only Paco Pena will be performing. If you don’t know him yet you are missing out and you, more than anyone, should be there. • There are bagpipes. A whole band of them. Covering famous songs, with their own special ingredient. The Red Hot Chilli Pipers are so hot they come with their own health warning. • It’s theatrical. Elaine Paige will be providing the score for the Rambert Dance Company and will no doubt pull at your heart-strings with memories of musicals past. • It’s Iconic. Drury Lane theatre first opened in 1663, so it is the perfect setting for classical and contemporary music and dance. You are going to be surrounded by beauty from the stage stretching all the way to the architecture. So come on, be iconic. • Its Location. You will be in the heart of the vibrant Covent Garden, so after the show you can put your own dancing shoes on and put what you’ve seen into practice. TICKETS FROM £22.00 Book Now Terms and Conditions apply.

https://uk-offers.timeout.com/deals/entertainment-the-trocks?cid=TOL~NL~1400685145~entertainment-the-trocks~~CTA~2015-09-02

I also think I'm going to move this into one of the more general forums, because I'm not sure how many people will spot it "down here". Just to clarify: if I give a company/venue my phone number and other details (frequently demanded on the basis that I can't proceed with a booking etc. unless I do so) it is on the assumption that they will be used only if necessary in relation to my booking and/or to alert me to other things which might be of interest. I don't expect to be leaving myself open to intrusive phone calls.

Not in the slightest. Thanks for letting us know - I'd received the letter yesterday, skimmed it, but had obviously missed the threat of being rung by fundraisers. If they ring me using details I'd provided in good faith when booking they stand a very good chance of losing any goodwill and any contribution I might otherwise have made.

Okay, sounds as though I should set the recorder then. Thanks.

Can I just momentarily hijack this thread and ask how much ballet there is in "Hans Christian Andersen", which I see is being shown on BBC2 early on Saturday morning?

I think it still is, although perhaps not as strictly as before. And if your parents' background is non-French, I think you are given greater leeway anyway. (I seem to remember someone - may have been on my sister-in-law's side? - who was allowed a non-French name because both parents were British, or something). Talking about non-standard names, I get the feeling that some people compete to try and get their sons and daughters names that nobody else has thought of before, just so they can be unique. Personally, I don't think that's a particularly good idea, especially in this internet age when anyone can Google anybody. I'm sure there are times when people with "standout" names might actually appreciate being able to merge into the background

Top seats £25 (normally £38) and third price seats £15 (normally £26)* Available Tue 22 - Thu 24 September at 19:30 only. BOOK NOW Call 020 7863 8222 and quote "OLT offer" or click here to book online and use the promotional code OLT READ MORE *Subject to allocation availability. Offer valid for selected dates only. Not valid retrospectively or in conjunction with any other offer. £2.50 transaction fee applies for telephone bookings and £1.75 for bookings made online.

I also forgot to ask Timmie why his wife will go to virtually anything as long as it has Osipova in it. Is it because she's the big name, therefore she must be good; because she knows that she *is* good, or ...?

A fact very effectively exploited by, e.g., Northern Ballet. So, how to overcome the ignorance? Especially given the lack of exposure to ballet in the average non-balletgoer's life? And the knee-jerk reaction, even in the general media, that there's virtually nothing beyond Nutcracker, Swan Lake and R&J (and possibly Sleeping Beauty). Think, for example, of the difficulty the ROH had in filling the house with SUN readers for Mayerling - although admittedly the fact that it isn't a child-friendly ballet won't have helped there. Very good point - and good idea. Mind you, I struggle enough to persuade friends to go to a single performance. Getting them to commit to coming back for a second viewing would, I think, be virtually impossible. It sounds as though we need an assault on all fronts! Even back then, though, how far "down" did this media coverage percolate? Was it pretty much only in the broadsheets, or would you have found similar articles in e.g. the Daily Mirror? And you mention subsidy. Of course, ballet is still heavily subsidised, but was subsidy significantly different back then? For example, was it concentrated on the lowest-price seats, or spread evenly over all tiers of the house? Because now, of course, we have the problem that newspaper articles go on about seat prices in 3 figures, and forget to mention the 1-figure ones, so there is the perception that ballet is more expensive than it need be. I appreciate that some people will always turn their noses up at anything less than best seats, but I'm sure others would be happy to pay a tenner or so for something less good.

It would, however, be far better if you could do it yourself Subsequently moving things around, merging and editing them is a pain, to put it mildly, and the Mods are all volunteers with busy lives, jobs and so on. Talking of which, I have 5000+ words calling my name ...

Congratulations, Scazle, and welcome to the forum! Like Two Pigeons, I think a footballer would have it easier. And there have been various comparisons of fitness between, among others, (male) footballers and ballet dancers. The dancers tended to come out on top.

Ah, thank you, capybara You're right. I remember the name now.