Ellie

Rushed from work to my local cinema (which always shows the ROH live streams) tonight. No joy,no broadcast....I should have checked beforehand, but I was gutted. I was really looking forward to it.....I hope that everyone who got to see it enjoyed themselves. x

Thank you so much.

A friend of mine is looking for an adult ballet class in the Bournemouth area. Can anyone make a recommendation ? x

Taxi, I think it's the case that 14 yr olds have to do the full 2 weeks, one week is not an option. Unless it has changed this year I think it is possible for 12 yr olds to apply for 2 weeks, or at least it used to be so.

Good Luck. xxx

Did you find what you wanted Taxi ? I have a few Vaganova technique books, but if you're looking for a good 'starting point' the one I'd recommend is Basic Principles of Classical Ballet. You can probably get a 2nd hand copy on amazon.

Poor you....In my experience the time after the 1st half term is often the most difficult. Is it homesickness that's getting her down or is there something else ? Would she not be able to hang on until Christmas to see if she feels better ? Have you spoken to the school ? x

My heart really does go out to everyone who has to struggle with this whole finance thing. One of my children is at uni (not dancing) and he has a part time job which just about covers his rent and bus pass (he's not entitled to maintenance loan/grant) we help out where we can, but there is no way we'd be able to cover everything. As another poster has said, do enquire about bursaries, even if they are small - every little helps. I would also suggest checking out the European options if you'd feel ok with your child living and training abroad. Good Luck and if it's any comfort - you're not alone. X

According to this report Osipova is on the mend. http://www.gramilano.com/2015/10/good-news-osipovas-back/

I've seen Cranko's R&J twice and although I enjoyed the performances I did find it rather 'sparse' compared to the Macmillan production, so I agree with FLOSS that it is more dependant on having dancers with a very fine stage presence.

I also grew up on the Ferri/ Eagling version (oh...the death scene) and I agree with you. Although from clips I've seen on youtube I think that the Kirkland/Dowell partnership looks beautiful too.

The tree ....Hot on the heels of poor Zakharova's tumble (and how marvellous she was to get up and carry on) for a horrible moment I actually thought that Polunin was going to come a cropper too (malfunctioning, shaky branch holding Giselle hovering dangerously above his head...) I thought that the dancing was great, but agree with other comments regarding the staging and lack of passion.

MAB, I believe it was the Grigorovich.

Such a sensitive topic. Only a handful of very (naturally) skinny girls in my year at vocational school didn't get 'hit by the puberty stick'. As 2dancersmum said, girls who are staring at themselves in a leotard and tights every single day are more than aware of body shape...thin by 'normal' standards, but not ballet ones. I thought that in this day and age with the amount of information available regarding dancer nutrition and health (and cross training for fitness) that Ad's would know better than to humiliate students in the way that haggis described.

Thank you Alison !

Oops ! The title was clearly supposed to be from, not form

Yesterday I stumbled across this on youtube and thought that other forum members may enjoy. Here's part 1, but the follow ups are easy to find. Part 1 of a South Bank special documenting the creation, background and first performance of the Royal Ballet's Mayerling; from 1978.

We ordered a 7 day travel card online for DC for a recent stay in London https://www.visitbritainshop.com/world/london-travelcard/

Don't get me started.....once DS managed to lose his ballet bag containing ALL of his dance stuff at WL SS on the 1st day ??? Another time he called me from school as he lost his (street) shoes and couldn't get home....How on earth do you manage to lose your street shoes ?!

If you're a regular customer could you get an annual subscription ? Or ask a local newsagent to order certain magazines for you ( I do this and am very lucky that they inform me when the latest edition has arrived - but at the same time am under no obligation to buy) ? Obviously it's not the same as being able to have a browse and pick and choose.... I know that Dance Europe do a digital edition if that's of any interest. Sorry for so many edits, but have just been on Dance Europe website and you can also buy single editions in print - no need for subscription.

FLOSS "Do the people running the classes tell their students about them and encourage them to go? Do they even think about them? Perhaps the reason why children going to dancing classes don't go to the cinema to see performances has got more to do with accessibility, the cost of tickets and location of the cinemas showing the ballets.Two tickets ( I am assuming the presence of a parent or an older sibling) will cost somewhere in the region of twenty five plus pounds.I don't know if the cinemas involved give reductions for children. If they are anything like the reductions given for pensioners they are far from substantial.Not everyone has a cinema showing these performances on their doorstep and then there is the question about how much publicity is given to these performances. I know that you can find out which Royal Ballet performances are being streamed and where, but you need to know that they exist." The only chance I get to see the RB is at the live cinema screenings. However the start time is not compatible with my work schedule and I always have to do my best Usain Bolt impression to get to the cinema and slip in, breathless, but inconspicuous as possible at least 20 minutes after the start time. I imagine that the 7.30pm start time is incompatible for younger children (screenings always seem to be on a Tuesday) and older ballet loving students are possibly still in class / doing homework etc at this time. The cinema screenings are also woefully under publicised, but I think that has more to do with the the individual distributors rather than the ROH. I wonder if streaming a live matinee would work out better ?

I will ask around meadowblythe ! I also have a production of the Wizard of Oz coming up at the end of the year, albeit seemingly on a much smaller scale, it's for little performers (and I'm not talking munchkins) - fake water hasn't even crossed my mind ! x

"Ellie, maybe I am moving in the wrong circles ..." Katharina, I hope that I didn't come across as condescending. I was only referring to my own experience as a student - then dancer - and now teacher of dancers who see Germany and the Netherlands as countries which are considered to have an abundance of well subsidised vocational dance schools, opera houses and dance companies. I don't live in the UK, but am pretty sure that classical dance is not on the national curriculum. 'Dance' is, (I think), but in most cases falls under the category of 'Physical Education' and from what I understand (and I may be wrong) is taught by teachers with a limited experience of the artform. I found your post interesting, thank you ! (Good luck with your boyfriend / McGregor/Rite of Spring etc ! - I always think that Pina's version is a pretty good introduction to that particular ballet )

Lots of very relevant points and food for thought. Katharina, I've always considered Germany to be one of the most pro arts (dance) countries in Europe so I was surprised at your post (and by the way I think that your written English is excellent ) Ian, I can also understand your point. There is a time and an opportunity for everyone to appreciate the arts, it can't be forced. In reply to alison and other people who have posted as to how to encourage a younger and hopefully long-lasting audience for the ballet I can only post from my experience from what could be considered in modern times a rather financially and culturally challenged country in Europe. Over the last 5 years or so the National Ballet Company has held school matinees. 5 euros per child to watch a company of very good dancers with a full orchestra in a beautiful opera house. (Dancing both classic and more contemporary pieces) They also offer educational programmes before the matinees. There are also family Sunday matinees with hugely discounted tickets.Always sold out Since this initiative the ticket sales for the 'usual' performances (non discounted) have soared. Be it for Giselle, Firebird, Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker or Nutcracker. Of course this is subsidised by the government and of course not every child who has been dragged along to the ballet by parents or teachers will develop a lifelong passion for the artform, but maybe they will develop an appreciation - and surely that's a good start. Edited to add that over the last year the National Ballet Company have also been carrying out a 'Ballet for All' type initiative where they specifically target and perform short excerpts from ballets for schools in underpriviliged areas

Youtube ! I came across this the other day. A documentary about Katja Bjoner at the Royal Swedish Ballet School which may be of interest. There are loads more too. I'll send you some links when I have time. x https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilIm9G4ppPI