Ellie

Thank you all .

21 hours ago, CeliB said:

Thank you for all your comments, both kind and informed. One of the comments on YouTube said they all looked bulky and the exercises were all too fast. Just made me feel a bit nervous but of course it's YouTube, who knows if the commentator had in any way an informed opinion....

yes I agree we also loved the drama of the in and out the end doors, which was even more dramatic in real life as they waited until they felt ready to come back in (the actual exam lasted 1 hour). DS says they worshiped the pianist (she was really feted at the end by the boys and the audience)! 

DS also mentioned one of the mariinsky dancers came to do class with them and pretty much had to sit out half way through as he didn't have the stamina to keep going. I think it genuinely is an extraordinarily difficult class, and as LinMM astutely observed definitely Tsiskas chance to prove himself as a teacher...

more news on contract offers in due course when a bit more concrete (all good though)...

Trends for body shape come and go. I've just posted a link to a documentary about Irek Mukhamedov when he joined RB. Anthony Dowell mentions that the dancers at RB were traditionally longer and leaner, but with the arrival of Russian dancers a more muscular, athletic physique was accepted. (Or something along thoses lines).

From watching this years Prix de Lausanne I did think that there is currently a trend for taller, leaner boys, but really, (and speaking about the RB )we have Vadim Muntagirov,,Matthew Ball, Alex Campbell and Marcelino Sambe who all seem to be doing rather well and all with different physiques ! Regarding the Marinsky dancer who couldn't keep up with the class- no surprise at all ! Vaganova syllabus is notoriously difficult. I remember my teacher training course for the 1st and 2nd year syllabus, (so for 10 and 11 year olds) - None of us could move for days......x

Not sure if this has been posted before, but the link has been doing the rounds on FB today. I really enjoyed watching it.

Where can I find the link to the live stream ? And another question, I've been on the RDB's website, but can't find any info about the dancers. Can anyone point me in the right direction ? 

Just managed to watch the whole video. What a lovely (and extremely difficult) class ! As I said earlier maybe the barre work was taken at a slightly faster tempo than usual (for Vaganova) - that's an observation, I'm familiar with the technique, but not an expert. Big congratulations to all the boys (and the pianist - whose fingers must have been falling off !) What's wrong with their physiques ? I hope that you're very proud CeliB, your boy looks lovely  X

Thank you for sharing ! Only had time to watch the barre and a bit of centre . Congratulations !!! It does seem a bit speedy for Vaganova. Looking forward to watching more later

43 minutes ago, Mrs Brown said:

will check out the seventeen range then if their foundations are quite light. I don't really want to cover all the younger ones freckles or she won't look like her so yes just something very light, or powder as a couple of people have mentioned will be better for her. 

 

I can see I am going to have fun trying to put mascara on someone else. we have had a play around now with eyeliner and that seemed to go ok so perhaps it won't be as bad as I am anticipating..

 

thanks

I find it best to do the eyes before foundation / blusher etc. Have her look down slightly when you put on the mascara.

I'm not in the UK, but am guessing it's worth a trip to the cinema screening then  .

4 hours ago, alison said:

Maybe Dave is referring to "the full works"?

 

I think I've already covered someone cutting their toenails on the train in here, haven't I?

No !!! Really ??? A few weeks ago I was extremely impressed by the skill of a young lady on the tube who went from bare face to fully made up (and very nicely done too) in about 6 stops.

Thank you all. 

Does anyone have any experience with these ? How to sound confident without gushing...How to list experience without boring the person reading it to death....? How to put down on paper that you admire and enjoy the company's work without sounding like your regurgitating every single thing that has ever been previously said ?

In case you hadn't noticed I get the shivers when it comes to cover letters, but have form and experience when it comes to Unis and 'normal' jobs. Is the cover letter for dance companies a recent thing ?

Bumping Tuladancemom's post:

Tuladancemom, on 17 Mar 2017 - 10:42 PM, said:

Hello:

 

Can anyone who has attended Covent Garden comment on housing options if the supervised lodging is not available? 

 

Thank you--

How old is the DC and will they be travelling / staying alone - or with an adult ? 

I think Sambe is Portugese isn't he? But linguistically your point stands!

Yes !

There was a small improvement this time, because the dancers were informed by the Senator for Culture BEFORE the news went to the press. But no, the petition with almost 20.000 signatures was not successful, the transition from Duato to Waltz/Öhman will go on as planned. Mainly because the contracts were already signed, I suppose. Even with heavy protests, Sasha Waltz won't back down, I'm sure. Some principals have left after Duato started in 2014, others finished their career or will finish their careers in the next years, so Öhman will have the chance (or the burden) to rebuild the company when he starts. The Berlin ballet audience is devestated.

Thank you for replying.

News from Berlin State Ballet: as different newspapers report today, Nacho Duato will leave one year earlier, already in Summer 2018, and Johannes Öhman from Sweden will take over for one year alone, before Sasha Waltz joines him in 2019.

Reports (in German) here and here

Angela, has anything been reported about the dancers' opinion regarding the earlier changeover ? I'm afraid I don't speak German...I'm assuming that the petition and social media campaign were not successful. 

I honestly don't think you will come to that conclusion when you see the show.  And, as for insults, I haven't seen any.  What I've seen is an honest assessment of his show, coupled with sorrow to see his talents so squandered.  This is surely all that any dancer can hope for - honesty?  

 

Most concerning are comments from people who have so much more than my surface knowlege that his technique is not what it once was.  But surely this is hardly surprising?  Dancers are athletes who need continual practise and renewal in their art which is why the life of a dancer is one of rigour and dedication.  I wonder where Polunin is getting the daily practise, the physiotherapy, the personal training that are absolute necessities for a top line dancer.

 

One further comment which is not an insult but will doubtless be construed as one.  It struck me as I watched the performance in disbelief that the only subject matter Sergei Polunin finds fascinating is Sergei Polunin.  We have a film - about his life.  We get a new production - entitled Project Polunin for no particular reason that I could fathom and the endless interviews are always about him, very rarely about ballets.  That's his perogative but somebody needs to explain that it can't last forever.

penelopesimpson, I agree with your comment and I haven't seen any insults. What I have read regards Polunin's technique, choice of rep, choreography etc. And I've read it all with my eyes half covered because I'd love for this show to be a success. As I mentioned it just did cross my mind (and not based on my having seen the performance) that perhaps the critics were 'out to get him'. Wouldn't we all love for there to be a Happy Ending ?! x

I stopped using my binoculars when it became apparent that there was an alignment mismatch between his sparkly thong and the underlying support which created an alarming lump to one side.  The evening could well have been called 'Hanging Out with Sergei'.

I suspect groin guard and glitter envy.... :/

I think that Lildancer96 also has experience of this SS....There's a thread on here somewhere

The insults are certainly coming thick and fast.

billboyd do you think that there is some knife twisting going on with the critics ? It did cross my mind as I read the critics' reviews that perhaps there may be an element of 'getting back' at Polunin for ditching and dissing the RB. I have not seen the show, but really hope, as I'm sure others do that it will garner more positive reviews.  

I'm 'enjoying' this thread with a heavy heart.. The waste of Polunin's talent is distressing. I wonder what he is feeling about it all?

Same here....and I've just read the Telegraph review....Ouch...

I was going to say, Walk! 

 

My grandparents had a house on Richmond Hill, and so the Park was our extended garden when we stayed. It's a safe area, and an easy walk to WL - even easier from the bus stop on the bus from Richmond Tube station (from memory ...)

How wonderful ! x

I think it's so hard to be a dance mum. There are some great highs, some awful lows and everything else in between. I have realised more and more over the years that I have to go with it more than is naturally my way of doing things and not to be surprised (although sometimes disappointed) at other people with influence's choices at auditions, examinations, for parts etc when they don't give dd what she hoped for. The most important thing is to have a happy, healthy dd who is equipped to be an independent, confident adult, who hopefully gets a job in the dance world in a place that feels right and happy for her. We have wondered about the best path to take (and still continue to make decisions) but we make the choices we can from the options we have, trying to remember all the things that are important to ensure dd's happiness and work towards a successful career. I'm sure there will be many more ups and downs before we're through. I think that maybe there is more intensity and more regular competition in the dance world, but having had 2 non dancing children too, I would equally say that it's just hard to be a mum who wants the best for her kids and for them to succeed and be happy, which we all do, so I'll just reflect that it's hard to be a mum and send love and empathetic thoughts to all the mums out there.

 

Edited to delete rogue apostrophe!

Yes ! I have 4 wonderful children only one of whom decided to follow the dance route. DH and I are both involved in the music and dance world so I was hoping that Dancing DS would know better !!! But as a parent I have the same concerns for all of my children and as you say we make the best decisions we can based on the information we have at hand, support our kids and keep our fingers crossed that they will be content in their chosen areas and confident enough to adapt when needs must. Oh and a big shout out to the Dads who perhaps seem to take a backseat during all this rigmarole ! X

Sarahw and Hairbelles I'm with you on the tears! Students exam results, students disappointments, students achievements- I think I'm a bit soppy! Even today, I've managed to fill up because a group of kids ive taught since they were tots have taken their last musical theatre exam, I need to get a grip

Which is probably a substantial part of making you a good teacher. X

A bit more info.... .)

There are buses-the 371 goes from Richmond to park gates. But obviously quite a walk from there-15/20 mins?! But a lovely walk. Uber cheapest cab to get you can get the app and get the car as and when you want it. Not sure how much because unsure where you're coming from but might be a £5 each way. Hope that's helpful! X

Thank you so much Ellie! I really appreciate that! 

No problem ! I've sent them a message asking the best route and also how much (approx) a taxi would cost. Will let you know as soon as I hear back from them. x