alison

Who?

It did look unusually shiny just where she skidded, certainly.

A couple of items from today's Links page to refresh your memory, should you need it: http://www.thestage.co.uk/opinion/2014/12/2014-in-review-dance/ http://londondance.com/articles/features/looking-back-on-2015-lise-smith/

All well-deserved, I'm sure.

Thanks, Vanartus. My guess is it'll be a while yet before they announce the replacement: from what's on the website, it looks to me as though they're trying to give Golding a chance of dancing and need to find someone he can partner. But I've seen all the supporting cast already, so will probably give it a miss.

The Hampson/Scarfe production did, but it was children disguised as presents - I suspect a bit constrained by the designs, as the rest of the production seemed to be.

Really, Janet? Who's that?

So had I - until somebody reminded me of it. Grrrrr I always thought that most of the British choreographers left it out because it's so uninspiring. Certainly I've never seen anyone do anything I'd regard as "inspired" to it.

Yes, but I didn't think he'd ever been announced in the Coliseum casting, hence my query. Now, that I didn't know. I don't remember seeing it announced.

"Departures"??? Agree about Cao: I was thinking she must still be on maternity leave, so little has she been in evidence in the casting recently. (Or hang on, am I a year out?)

This is disappointing, particularly if anyone wanted to see Golding. I've already got a ticket for Nunez/Soares (a good one by my standards, courtesy of Get Into London Theatre - so presume I won't be able to return that one), so really don't need to see them twice.

And, of course, it relies on people who find the articles actually bothering to put the links in that one thread. Otherwise, it doesn't work.

Slightly belatedly, a tribute on the ROH website: http://www.roh.org.uk/news/derek-rencher-a-look-back-at-his-life-with-the-royal-ballet

I thought I *had* started one some time ago, but admittedly I can't find it by searching under any obvious titles. Yes, by all means let's have one. Though it is worth pointing out, as I did a couple of months ago, that if it's The Times and you have a UK library card, you should be able to get at it via your library's website.

Patrick Armand, I believe? At least, I know they did dance it together, although ... was it at the Coli or at the Festival Hall? Slightly before my time, unfortunately.

Well, I recorded this yesterday because I was unable to see it live, only to find that the first couple of minutes' introduction had been cut off! (Crystal Palace transmitter, Freeview - *and* there were several moments of pixellation/dodgy sound) Fortunately I checked it early enough to be able to re-record the overnight version. It was a bit of a shame that there was no real synopsis, though. In the cinema, of course, we had one, and presumably there will be one with the DVD, but it was a shame that the TV audience missed out: Winter's Tale is hardly one of Shakespeare's best-known plays, and I suspect quite a few people will have been a bit lost.

That's reason for celebrating on its own. A Merry Christmas to all Balletcoforum readers who are celebrating it. And for those for whom this is unlikely to be a happy Christmas, I pray that you will still find some joy in it.

Another first for me today, too: two toddlers(?) brought into the auditorium in buggies - despite the age guidance on the tickets saying 5+. Admittedly, I didn't hear a peep out of them from where I was, but I don't know how long they lasted out.

My guess is that, with Christmas upon us, they'll leave it as long as possible before any announcement is made.

Also, radio-wise: BBC Radio 4, Christmas Day, 1.45 pm: Food for Thought - Carlos Acosta discusses his career and diet (this one's a repeat) BBC Radio 3, Saturday 27th December: 2 pm - Saturday Classics featuring Zenaida Yanowsky

Nice try, Ian, but it's still forcing me to subscribe

Really? That's most unusual.

And then there was the time in "Giselle", when the RB were "in the wilderness" at the Hammersmith Apollo during the ROH closure, when Nicola Tranah, dancing Myrtha, slipped on a similar oily patch and had a very nasty fall onto her back. Fortunately, I don't think it did any lasting damage.

ENB's advent calendar on its website has 50% off tickets for the Boxing Day performance - but check your public transport availability first!

This is getting a bit ridiculous - maybe both ENB and RB will have to start borrowing dancers from BRB soon