Sophoife

All dancers of the Paris Opéra can retire at the age of 40 (legal retirement age) or at 42 (with full pension without reduction), because of the "hardship" of the profession, the risks of injury and the level of skill required to dance the great ballets. For singers, the eligibility ages are 57 and 60. For orchestra members it's 60 and 62. For stagehands 53 and 55. I believe similar provisions apply at the other state ballet companies (opéra national) in France.

On the Opera de Paris Twitter feed, they describe him simply as "the dancer"

Links – Saturday 30 March, 2024 Review – Birmingham Royal Ballet, Tchaikovsky Classics, Symphony Hall, Birmingham England: Maria Cusine, Express & Star.com Review – English National Ballet, Carmen (Inger), Sadler’s Wells, London England: Vera Liber, British Theatre Guide Matthew Paluch, Broadway World Jess Gonzalez, Everything Theatre Guillermo Nazara, First Night Magazine Charlotte Kasner, SeeingDance Review – Mark Bruce Company, Liberation Day / Frankenstein, The Place, London England: Tamsin Flower, British Theatre Guide John O’Dwyer, Seen and Heard International Review – Pacific Northwest Ballet, Bacchus / One Thousand Pieces, digital stream: Cherilyn J. Lee, Ballet Herald Review – Royal Danish Ballet, Giant Steps (Balanchine/Elo/Lander), Royal Theater Old Stage, Copenhagen Denmark: Eva Kistrup, DanceviewTimes Review – Opera Australia, West Side Story, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, NSW: Chantal Nguyen, The Saturday Paper Preview – Ballet West, Beauty and the Beast, Eccles Center, Park City UT: Scott Iwasaki, Park Record Preview – Grand Kyiv Ballet, Swan Lake, Newmark Theatre, Portland OR: Stephi Wild, Broadway World Preview – Sarasota Ballet, Emeralds / Who Cares? / Las Hermanas, Sarasota Opera House, Sarasota FL: Jay Handelman, Sarasota Herald-Tribune Preview – Moveius Contemporary Ballet, Glacier: A Climate Change Ballet, Kogod Courtyard, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC: Smithsonian Institution Preview – The top 10 ballet and dance shows to book tickets for in spring 2024, New Adventures, Elixir Festival, Hofesh Shechter, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Royal Ballet x 2, Breakin’ Convention, Scottish Ballet, Northern Ballet, English National Ballet: Mark Monahan, The Telegraph Preview – Five things to do in Scotland this week: from Swan Lake to Lulu: Ashley Davies, The Times Video Preview – Fort Wayne Ballet, Romeo and Juliet, Auer Center for Arts and Culture, Fort Wayne, IN: Mariah Edmonds, 21AliveNews Video Preview – Louisville Ballet, 502, WHAS11 ABC News/Obituary – Imogen Kinchin, New Adventures executive director: Theo Bosanquet, WhatsOnStage News – Mwldan Theatre to screen Kenneth MacMillan’s Royal Ballet: Elizabeth Birt, Tivy-Side Advertiser News/Feature – Anthony Madu, Nigerian ballet student and subject of Disney+ documentary, now at Elmhurst Ballet School Debbie Elliott, NPR via WSHU Leslie Fauvel, KULR8 among many, many other links to the same story Amber Gibson, List23.com Kriti Mehrotra, TheCinemaholic Feature – Dance History Presentation: Ashton, de Mille, and Tudor – Oh My: Jerry Hochman, CriticalDance Feature – Turning Hamlet into Dance Theatre – An Interview with Guillaume Côté: Paula Citron, LudwigVan Toronto Feature – Finding a new balance in Vienna: Alessandra Ferri: Deborah Weiss, Bachtrack Feature – Chrissa Keramidas, the Greek-born girl who made history at the Australian Ballet: Zoe Thomaidou, Neos Kosmos Feature - Choreographers Sophie Dow And Malgorzata Nowacka-May Talk About Chimera Project Dance Theatre’s Unclearing Double Bill: Anya Wassenberg, LudwigVan Toronto Feature – Seattle dance group launches new international exchange program: Gemma Alexander, The Seattle Times Feature – The ballet by Ensor: ‘La Gamme d’Amour’: Guillaume De Grieve, Bozar Feature – What Does “Broadway Choreography” Mean Today?: Jennifer Heimlich, Dance Magazine Feature – ‘Project Runway’ designer brings vibrant couture to Cincinnati Ballet: Janelle Gelfand, Cincinnati Business Courier via Local12 Feature – American Ballet Theatre’s Virginia Lensi Shares Her Allergy-Friendly Oat Pancakes: Chava Pearl Lansky, Dance Magazine Paywalled, but you may have access Review – San Francisco Ballet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco CA: Rachel Howard, Fjord Review Review – Lacina Coulibaly, Until the Lion Tells the Story, New York Live Arts, New York NY: Siobhan Burke, The New York Times Review – Baye & Asa, 4|2|3, Jerome Robbins Theater, Baryshnikov Arts Center, New York NY: Brian Seibert, The New York Times News/Feature – Anthony Madu, Nigerian ballet student and subject of Disney+ documentary, now at Elmhurst Ballet School The Rogersville Review Watauga Democrat News/Obituary – Imogen Kinchin, New Adventures executive director: Matthew Hemley, The Stage And finally, awww… Dad and daughter take dance class together in sweet video: Shafiq Najib/Evan Wyno, Good Morning America

Giselle: Patrice Bart. Pierre Lacotte's Paquita is fairly classical. Their Sylvia is by Manuel Legris. Balanchine's A Midsummer Night's Dream, Serenade, Le Palais de Cristal aka Symphony in C. I'd include Onegin as one of the ballets RB and POB have in common, as I would the current production of Fille.

Bleuenn Battistoni, who will dance the opening night as her full rôle début, has beaten speculation to it 😉 She danced most of act II in 2022 when Alice Renavand, in her retirement performance, was injured and unable to continue. Battistoni had learned the rôle as a cover, and was dancing in the corps de ballet that night, so was the most available in terms of warmed up, costume, makeup etc. As it was a retirement there were of course other étoiles in attendance but not ready to go on.

...with photos like this. Lifar and Spessivtseva...

My friend had supported Hannah through ABS, and was so thrilled she'd finally been nominated étoile, and wanted to send a more personal bouquet than just ordering one online. I got to go and check out a bunch of florists in the Place de la Madeleine on a beautiful day and then have young women asking to photograph the bouquet as I (carefully) walked it round to the Garnier. Bouquet was florist's makeup, the brief was €150 and pretty. I think she did a great job.

Yes he is tall. When I acted as courier for a Melbourne friend with a ginormous (seriously, Bouquet Walking) spring bouquet for Hannah O'Neill last May, he was coming out of the Garnier stage door and held the door for me. I'm 5'3". He is tall.

Mlle Battistoni, performing for the second time as Lise, was named étoile at the curtain call after dancing La Fille Mal Gardée with Marcelino Sambé on Tuesday 26 March 2024. It may be remembered that in 2022 she stepped in for the injured Alice Renavand as Giselle in what had been supposed to be the latter's farewell performance. She will get to dance the full rôle, starting on opening night, 29 April. Paris Opéra Ballet announcement The actual on-stage announcement Backstage after the announcement

Links – Saturday 23 March 2024 Review – Australasian Dance Collective, THREE, Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane Queensland: Deborah Jones, FollowSpot Review – Birmingham Royal Ballet, The Sleeping Beauty, Theatre Royal, Plymouth England: Cathryn Macey, Plymouth Herald Review – Crystal Pite and Jonathon Young / Kidd Pivot, Assembly Hall, Sadler’s Wells, London England: Debra Craine, The Times Teresa Guerreiro, CultureWhisper David Jays, The Standard Vera Liber, British Theatre Guide Review – National Ballet of Canada, UtopiVerse/islands/Suite en Blanc, Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto ON: Rebecca Ritzel, The Globe and Mail Paula Citron, Ludwig Van Review – New York City Ballet, Serenade/In the Night/The Four Temperaments, Harris Theater, Chicago IL: Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune Review – The Royal Ballet, Danses Concertantes/Different Drummer/Requiem, Royal Opera House, London England: Jonathan Gray, Gramilano Review – Yorke Dance Project, California Connections: Three Pioneering Women, Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House, London England: Jonathan Gray, Gramilano Matthew Paluch, Broadway World Deborah Weiss, Bachtrack Lyndsey Winship, The Guardian Review – Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Dichotomy of a Journey/Nevermore/Dear Frankie, and Coltrane’s Favorite Things/Aguas Que Van, Quieren Volver/return to patience, The Joyce Theater, New York NY: Jerry Hochman, Critical Dance Review – Opera Australia/Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, West Side Story (Jerome Robbins choreography), Mrs Macquarie’s Point, Sydney NSW: Jo Litson, Limelight Cassie Tongue, The Guardian Photo Review – Columbia City Ballet, Snow White, Cole Auditorium, Hamlet NC: Betty Gallo McIntyre, The Richmond Observer Preview – Ballet Austin, POE, A Tale of Madness, The Long Center, Austin TX: Caitlin Sims, Dance Magazine Preview – Ballet Spartanburg/Martha Graham Dance Company, Suite from Appalachian Spring, Chapman Cultural Center, Spartanburg SC: Mark Poff, ABC 13 News Preview – Ballet Tucson, Spring Concert, Leo Rich Theater, Tucson AZ: Frances Hildegarde LaBianca, Arizona Sonoran News via Tucson.com Preview – Charleston Ballet, Homegrown, Charleston Coliseum Theater, Charleston WVA: Kennie Bass, WCHS Preview – Dance Theatre of Harlem, 55th Anniversary Season: A Celebration of Artistry and Innovation: Harlem World Magazine Preview – Grand Rapids Ballet, Jumpstart 2024, Peter Martin Wege Theatre, Grand Rapids MI: Grand Haven Tribune Preview – Harlow Ballet, Coppélia, Harlow Playhouse, Harlow England: YourHarlow.com Preview – Lake Area Ballet Theatre, Alice in Wonderland, Lake Charles Event Center Rosa Hart Theatre, Lake Charles LA: Rita Lebleu, American Press Preview – National Ballet of Cuba, Giselle, Sala Avellaneda, National Theater, Havana Cuba: Radio Cadena Agramonte Preview – Youth America Grand Prix Gala, Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow: Best of 25 Years, David H Koch Theater, Lincoln Center, New York NY: City Guide New York News – Israeli choreographer expresses sadness over Ballet Ireland axing, Ohad Naharin says cancellation ‘does nothing to help reduce the suffering of people in our region’: Conor Pope, The Irish Times News – Bomb shelter doubles as ballet studio in Ukraine during war: Hurriyet Daily News and others News – Fairy-Tale Ballet Honors Young Dancer’s Life: ‘Beauty Will Save the World’, ballet honouring Rafaella Stroik to premiere: Alyssa Murphy, National Catholic Register News – Italy welcomes important figures of Cuban ballet, Viengsay Valdes and Anyelo Montero to perform in a gala: Beatriz Montes de Oca, Radio Habana Cuba News – Misty Copeland Recalls Working with ‘Down to Earth’ Taylor Swift: ‘Incredible’: Ingrid Vasquez, Yahoo!Lifestyle News – Dancing twins heading to Prague with Team Canada, Ten-year-old twins heading for Czechia: Brian Thompson, The Brantford Expositor News – UA Sophomore advances in television dance competition, Sophomore at University of Arizona makes it past audition round to compete in Fox’s ‘So You Think You Can Dance’: Alex Dowd, KGUN 9 Tucson Feature – Why we’re all dancing to Carmen’s tune, You can’t get away from Carmen this year – and now Bizet’s heroine is conquering the dance stage too. Carlos Acosta and Johan Inger talk to Debra Craine about their new takes on the gypsy libertine: Debra Craine, The Times Feature – Mark Morris with Caedra Scott-Flaherty, Ten dancers, five chairs, five pillows, and seven musicians: a conversation on the choreographer's latest work: Caedra Scott-Flaherty, The Brooklyn Rail Feature – What it takes to go from tin shed dance classes to performing for 3,000 people, Opera Australia’s West Side Story, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour: Chantal Nguyen, The Age Feature – How Artists are Keeping Mountains of Dead Pointe Shoes Out of Landfill: Haley Hilton, Pointe Magazine Feature – Some arts nonprofits look to expand their real estate footprint: Trina Mannino, Marketplace Video Feature – Grand Kyiv Ballet dancers discuss war in Ukraine ahead of Grand Ole Opry performance: NewsChannel 5 via YouTube Video Feature – Mobile Ballet under the Civic Center spotlights one last time, Mobile Civic Center to be demolished: WKRG via YouTube Ashlyn Mitchell, Fox 10 News Paywalled (but you may have access) Review – Crystal Pite and Jonathon Young / Kidd Pivot, Assembly Hall, Sadler’s Wells, London England: Zoe Anderson, The Independent Review – Mark Morris Group, The Look of Love, Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York NY: Gia Kourlas, The New York Times News – Female Choreographers take center stage at Dallas’ Avant Chamber Ballet: Manuel Mendoza, The Dallas Morning News News – Andrea Stock’s decision to swap ballet for rugby is paying off: Sean Holland, The Southern Star Feature – ‘I Love to Be a Beginner’: Emma Portner’s Busy Ballet Era: Margaret Fuhrer, The New York Times And in the social pages... SF Ballet Auxiliary Provisional Luncheon Highlights Women’s History Month: Drew Altizer, Nob Hill Gazette

Dansesaveclaplume on Twitter posted to which my reply was "Étoile invitée de luxe - oui oui oui !!" 🤣 (emphasis on "de luxe"

Fun fact: Alexander danced three different Cinderella's Princes: Sir David Bintley's with BRB, Alexei Ratmansky's with TAB, and Sir Frederick Ashton's with RB. Is Bintley's Cinderella the one with Elisha Willis as Cinders? If so, I've got it yay!

Links – Saturday, 16 March 2024 Preview – Birmingham Royal Ballet, The Sleeping Beauty, Sadler’s Wells, London England: Teresa Guerreiro, CultureWhisper Review – Boston Ballet, Cinderella, Citizens Bank Opera House, Boston MA: Jeffrey Gantz, Boston Globe Review – Justin Peck, Illinoise, Park Avenue Armory, New York NY: Gia Kourlas, The New York Times Review – Northern Ballet, Romeo and Juliet, Leeds Grand Theatre, Leeds England: Yvette Huddleston, The Yorkshire Post Review – Oakland Ballet, Dancing Moons Festival, Oakland Asian Cultural Center, San Francisco CA: Rachel Howard, San Francisco Chronicle Review – Philadelphia Ballet, Dance Masterpieces (Ailey/Forsythe/Tharp), Academy of Music, Philadelphia PA: Ellen Dunkel, The Philadelphia Inquirer Review – Rinde Eckert, Risa Jaroslow, Margaret Jenkins, Jon Kinzel and Vicky Shick, Unstill Life, Arts on Site, New York NY and touring to Oakland CA: Karen Hildebrand, Fjord Review Review – San Francisco Ballet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco CA: Katie Sweeney, The Bold Italic Review – São Paulo Dance Company, Mixed Bill, The Lowry, Manchester England: Amy Evans, Salford Now Review – The Seattle Project and Velocity Dance Center, here because, 12 Avenue Arts, Seattle WA: Rich Smith, The Stranger Review – Vincent Dance Theatre, Play, Corn Exchange, Brighton England: Lyndsey Winship, The Guardian Preview – Alberta Ballet, Hansel and Gretel, Jubilee Auditorium, Edmonton AB: Eric Volmers, Edmonton Journal Preview – American Contemporary Ballet, ACB Jazz, Bank of America Plaza, Los Angeles CA: Maria Kyriakos, Flaunt Preview – American Repertory Ballet, Of Swans and Variants, McCarter Theatre Center, Princeton NJ: New Jersey Stage Preview – American Repertory Ballet, Elevate, Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College, New York NY: Stephi Wild, Broadway World Preview – Ballet Manila opens 26th season with ‘Le Corsaire’, Aliw Theater, Manila, Philippines: Marge C. Enriquez, Lifestyle.INQ Preview – Ballet Next, The Best of Sleeping Beauty, accessible performance, Jim Santy Auditorium, Park City, UT: Scott Iwasaki, ParkRecord.com Preview – Dance Now! Miami and Opus Ballet Dance, mixed bill, Miami Theater Center, Miami FL: Artburst Miami, Miami New Times Preview – Georgia Ballet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Jennie T. Anderson Theatre, Marietta GA: Rohit Mehta, Hoodline Preview – Joburg Ballet brings global talent to KKNK stage, Scar/City, Oudtshoorn, South Africa: Bernelee Vollmer, Sunday Tribune Preview – Lafayette Ballet Theatre, Coppélia, Heymann Center, Lafayette LA: Taylor Trache, KADN News 15 Preview – Les Étoiles gala in Rome – the ‘Gala of Inclusivity’ with international stars of dance: Graham Spicer, Gramilano Preview – New York City Ballet, Masters at Work: Balanchine + Robbins, Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Chicago IL: Kyle MacMillan, Chicago Sun-Times News – Akram Khan returns to London stage to perform in Sadler’s Wells season: Matthew Hemley, The Stage News – Barry Hughson Will Join American Ballet Theatre: Stephi Wild, Broadway World Staff, En Face Magazine News – Medford native promoted to Soloist at the American Ballet Theatre, Jake Roxander, ABT: KOBI-TV NBC5 via YouTube News – Sewell Ballet to take the stage in Sun Valley for the first time, Sun Valley resident sponsors performance so viewers can attend for free: Raiza Giorgi, Idaho Mountain Express News – Svetlana Zakharova’s performances in Seoul cancelled: Staff, Philippine News Agency Reuters, via devdiscourse Jung Juwoen, Maeil Business Newspaper via papago Park Ga-young, The Korea Herald News – Valentina Kozlova International Ballet Competition to Return to The Kaye Playhouse: Chloe Rabinowitz, Broadway World Video Feature – Ballet Spartanburg, Suite from Appalachian Spring: Hayley Spitler, FOX Carolina Video Feature – Chicago Repertory Ballet engaging community: WGN News via YouTube Video Feature – Sacramento Ballet, Visions: Good Day Sacramento, CBS News Video Feature – Twin Cities Ballet, The Wall, Fitzgerald Theater, St Paul MN: CBS News Minnesota Video Feature – Youth America Grand Prix preliminary rounds, Carmel IN: WTHR via YouTube John Doran, WTHR Feature – Former Queensland ballet dancer switches career to invest in cattle farming in Noosa, Alison Russell: Robert Burgin, ABC Sunshine Coast Feature – Emma Portner Brings the Work That Kept Her in the Dance World to National Ballet of Canada: Lauren Wingenroth, Dance Magazine Feature – 9 Black women who made history in the world of dance: Kay Wicker, Yahoo! News Feature – Anna Benna Sims: American Ballet Theatre’s first African-American ballerina: Jannette J. Witmyer, AFRO News Feature – Music Puzzles at Pacific Northwest Ballet, Mona Butler, music librarian: Staff, En Face Magazine Feature - Dances with wolves: A Tel Aviv choreographer forces audiences to face Oct. 7’s horrors: Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel Feature – How This New York City It-Girl Ballerina Preps For The Stage [am I allowed an eyeroll on this one – ed], Violetta Komyshan, Connecticut Ballet: Rachel Lapidos, Bustle 2024-2025 Season Announcements BalletMet, Dracula, The Nutcracker, West Side Story, Sleeping Beauty, Black Voices mixed bill: En Face Magazine The Joffrey Ballet, Atonement, The Nutcracker, Golden Hour, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland: En Face Magazine Kansas City Ballet, ALICE (in wonderland), Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, mixed bills, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Kansas City MO: A.A. Cristi, Broadway World Philadelphia Ballet, Le Corsaire, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Boléro with Dance Card and Stanton Welch world première, La Sylphide with Études, 60th Anniversary Fall Gala: En Face Magazine Paywalled (but you might have access) Review – Birmingham Royal Ballet, The Sleeping Beauty, Birmingham Hippodrome and touring: Rupert Christiansen, The Spectator Review – New York City Ballet, Mixed Bill, Sadler’s Wells, London England: Rupert Christiansen, The Spectator Preview – Ballet Ireland, Bold Moves 2024: ‘The way dancers come together – it’s all about human connection’, The Irish Times Feelgood Factor Philomath native spreads her love of dance through operation of local studio: Brad Fuqua, Philomath News Cameroonian dancer’s romance with Chinese teacher sparks cultural blending: Arison Tamfu, Wang Ze, Xinhua News Jennifer Garner Shares 34-Year Throwback to When She Was Teen Ballerina: ‘Take a Time Machine’: Tommy McArdle, Yahoo!Movies Senior Center offers members ballet workshops through BalletNext: Park Record Staff, ParkRecord.com When Jackie Kennedy Interviewed My Mom for Her Column, Yvonne Chouteau, Ballets Russes: Sylvie McNamara, Washingtonian

In response to someone above, yes, Alex was under-used. One of the reasons his retirement followed so speedily on the heels of the announcement of his appointment to the RAD job is that he wasn't cast in Swan Lake or in The Winter's Tale. The only role in which he was cast apart from Des Grieux and Lescaut in the Manon run that ended on Friday was Different Drummer, which he did not feel appropriate as a retirement role. Yes, he had sidelines but if one looks at his actual dancing with the RB one will see how much time he had to pursue those sidelines due to not being cast in roles he should have been dancing. He was never given a chance as Rudolf or Leontes, for example.

I'm cutting onions over here.

Exactly what Gil Boggs did with Colorado Ballet last year: Clark Tippet's Bruch Violin Concerto which was pretty costumes, pretty dancing, and very pretty music, Balanchine's Prodigal Son, and Kylián's Sinfonietta to finish with that beautiful sunrise-y feeling.

A lovely memory indeed @RHowarth. I can share (again) another lovely memory: after seeing him dance the Prince in Ratmansky's Cinderella in Sydney, myself and the late @jmb met at stage door, and walked back along the waterfront promenade to the car park. Preceded by Alex and his family. No, we're not stalking you! We waited a bit at the entrance to the car park, then walked on in towards the lift. There they were again. Still not stalking. We hung back and said, no, no, it's fine, we'll wait. Alex said not to be silly, held the lift door open for us, and cheerfully answered Jean's questions. A joyful memory of Jean for me (she was so excited), and a lovely memory of Alex.

I'm so lucky, she danced Odette-Odile in the 2017 Berlin performance I saw, and was kind enough to sign my programme at the stage door! I had to quickly stow my delicious pretzel in my handbag when I saw her coming out. She is TINY.

Links – Saturday 9 March 2024 Review – Ballet BC, NOW, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver BC: Sara Harowitz, The Straight Review – Birmingham Royal Ballet, The Sleeping Beauty, The Lowry, Salford, Manchester England: David Cunningham, British Theatre Guide Helen Jones, The Reviews Hub Review – London Philharmonic Orchestra, Dance Reimagined, Royal Festival Hall, London England: Clive Paget, The Guardian Review – Philadelphia Ballet, Giselle, Academy of Music, Philadelphia PA: Sigrid Payne DaVeiga, CriticalDance Review – Pontus Lidberg, On the Nature of Rabbits, Joyce Theater, New York NY: Joel Benjamin, TheaterScene.net Review – The Royal Ballet, Swan Lake, Royal Opera House, London England: Jenny Gilbert, The Arts Desk Vikki Jane Vile, Broadway World Louise Levene, Financial Times Jonathan Gray, Gramilano Joy Sable, The Jewish Chronicle Review – New York City Ballet, Mixed Bill, Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London England: Louise Levene, Financial Times Lyndsey Winship, The Guardian Zoe Anderson, The Independent Joy Sable, The Jewish Chronicle Chris Lilly, The Reviews Hub Siobhan Murphy, The Stage Marianka Swain, The Telegraph Debra Craine, The Times (share token) Review – New York City Ballet, Winter Season, New York NY: Gia Kourlas, The New York Times Preview – Ballet Austin, POE / A Tale of Madness, Long Center, Austin TX: London Gibson, ATX Today Preview – GISELLE: REMIX, Pleasance Theatre, London England: Staff Writer, Theatre Weekly Preview – Los Gatos Ballet, Coppélia, Mayer Theatre at Santa Clara University, Santa Clara CA: Patch Preview – Mark Morris Dance Group, The Look of Love, Meany Hall at the University of Washington, Seattle WA: Moira Macdonald, The Seattle Times Preview – Northern Ballet, The Tortoise and the Hare, Mansfield Palace Theatre, Mansfield, Notts, England: Steve Eyley, Chad Preview – Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Spring Mix, Benedum Center, Pittsburgh PA: Stephi Wild, Broadway World Preview – Richmond Ballet, New Works Festival, Studio Theatre at Richmond Ballet, Richmond VA: Robin Schwartzkopf, RicToday Preview – Rosin Box Project, Empower, Light Box Theater, San Diego CA : Jeff Zevely, CBS8 Preview – World Ballet Series/Grand Kyiv Ballet, Swan Lake and Giselle, UIS Performing Arts Center, Springfield IL: Ben Machi, WAND-TV News – Mission Dance Company red carpet gala featuring Evelyn Hart, Kelowna, Canada: Kelowna Daily Courier News – Your March Roster Roundup: Dancers and Directors on the Move, Alexander Campbell, Jasmine Jimison and more: Kyra Laubacher, Pointe Magazine News – Performance of Swan Lake Will Be Dedicated to the March 8 Holiday in the Capital, International Women’s Day at Astana Opera, Kazakhstan: Staff, EL.KZ News – Week in Lithuania | Liepa, a ballet dancer, loses Lithuanian citizenship: Staff, Baltic News Network Feature – The Lyric Feature, Building a Ballet: The untold tale of the National Ballet Company, Patricia Ryan and Ireland’s National Ballet School and Company: Joanna Marsden, RTÉ Video Feature – Lavender’s Dance | Kenyan Ballerina Prepares for Audition to the Royal Ballet Academy [sic]: Voice of America via YouTube Video Feature – Ballet Spartanburg, Suite from Appalachian Spring: WSPA 7News, YouTube People – Meet Houston Ballet Soloist Eric Best: Nancy Wozny, Dance Magazine People – Calzedonia Launches ‘Create Your Own Stage’ Campaign Starring Ballerina Isabella Boylston: Hanna Flanagan, Yahoo!Movies People - Jessica Fyfe appointed Principal at Scottish Ballet, Jessica Fyfe, Guest Principal, has accepted a permanent principal contract: Scottish Ballet via Instagram ...and on the other side... People – Scottish ballet dancer finds a place to call home in Wellington, Shaun Kelly, dancer with RNZB: Sharon Stephenson, The Post People – Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied are divorced: Canadian Press, The Chronicle Journal News Editor 2, Indo & NY News & Announces Madhurima Haque, Stuff.co.NZ Associated Press, The Washington Post (paywalled) …and finally, time for the tissues, folks… Alexander Campbell retirement curtain calls and speeches: @lady emily, YouTube

Well, I'd agree all three are world-renowned, at least to ballet fans. I first saw Daniel Camargo dance in 2012 and wow!

Thanks to all who have posted, in text, photo and video, sharing the night with people like me who absolutely could not attend (couldn't fit in his dad's luggage in my case). I'm so grateful for this forum.

Thanks @alison. I think it should happen more often. Never seen an AusBallet dancer given a microphone.

Thank you so so much @lady emilyfor the comprehensive video 😢😢😢 How lovely so many other company principals came out - and Vadream's huge hug!! I don't think I've seen a retiring dancer handed a microphone on stage before - happy to be corrected - and the speech was brilliant. He's a very special person and I hope the RAD job is all that he wants it to be. Yes @ChrisGI actually have a recording of that TMS chat.

NSW convict records have largely been destroyed, but the Tasmanian ones are still available. Women were transported to Van Diemen's Land and, originally, largely sent straight out as domestic workers. Rape and assault was part of the deal - the ratio of men to women was about 9:1. If a woman stayed on the right side of authority she got a ticket of leave (more freedom) after about half her sentence time. Over time, policies changed, and this is a great quick summary of how it all worked. The Female Factory mentioned is about ten minutes' stroll from my parents' home.

Yes, that was another thing my mother took me to before we departed for distant shores aka went home to Australia. I remembered for years the lovely light and bouncy dancing.