Ellie

Dear 'Audience Behaviour' contributors ! I'd like to ask your advice...My son (19) has in the last few months been working part time as an usher (front of house - and box office) Although the theatre reminds patrons to turn off their mobile phones/not take photos, film etc ,obviously and unfortunately there are still people who seem to lack common sense and ignore the reminders. DS came home tonight rather frustrated, as despite his best efforts audience members were still flouting the rules. As 'law abiding' audience members how would you expect an usher to operate ? Barge into your row to collar the culprits mid scene ? Wait until the interval to have a quiet word with said offenders....and do what if they continue to be a pain in the neck to their fellow audience members during the final act of the performance ? Thanking you in advance x

Firstly my apologies. I meant to write SBF and not SWF . I may be wrong, but my understanding was that the pub mentioned by Legseleven was in the UK - hence the surprise that a child would eat something from the 'adult' menu...... ( I fear that we are going way off topic here !) One of my children used to love coming to the ballet with me when he was very young ( between 4 and 6 yrs old) It was a great treat for us both, but even at such a young age I would tell him that he had to sit nicely, keep still ,not drink too much before the ballet or in the interval (I'm talking juice - not liquor !) As has been mentioned, it's down to a parent's / guardian's common sense. x

SWF, I believe that children in pubs with their parents is very common in the UK. The pub is not only a 'watering hole', but a community hub (which also serves meals as well as drinks ! ) I also live 'on the continent' and agree that,children (I have 4 !) seem generally, but not exclusively (believe me) better behaved when they are out and about with their parents (in restaurants, theatres etc) than some do in the UK. However every responsible parent I know and no matter where they were from, would remove a fractious child from whichever situation they were in to avoid disturbing others.

My niece did homestay (along with other Rambert students) with a lovely landlady who has been hosting Rambert students for a while.

I'm currently re reading Gelsey Kirkland's autobiography 'Dancing on my Grave'. (The book sticker confirms that it was gifted to me in 1987 ) She has always been one of my favourite ballerinas and not only because of her excellent technique and beautiful proportions. According to her book she was completely committed, sometimes against all odds and to her detriment within the companies she worked with, to 'get to the bottom of' each character she played. She wanted to understand the reason behind each gesture and each step. Apparently she routinely employed dance and mime coaches to help her understanding of each role, and( in my opinion having watched the limited amount of footage there is available of her) it shows. She may have been 'difficult' to work with and she certainly had to fight some demons, but my goodness, what an artist.

To add to the list above....Dance Forward. (I believe they do an Easter Course)

I've seen the trailer Janet and time permitting intend to watch it, thank you for your insight. Another one I was thinking of watching was 'La Danseuse' but having read the reviews I'm thinking that I'll save myself for La La Land.

Thank you Ivy Lin and everyone who contributed to this thread ! It was thanks to this that I sought out Tchernichova's book. Of course I would have loved to order many others as well, but as seemingly Sir Peter Wright will be releasing a revised version of Wrights and Wrongs, the Suzanne Farrell biography has various copies still, (ditto the Volkova book) available and Dancing on Water only had one available copy I bit the bullet and ordered ! Second to dance, history is one of my great interests - especially Russian history- So I'm very much looking forward to the read. x

As a very happy recipient of an Amazon gift voucher and after a certain amount of deliberation (!) I've just ordered 'Dancing on Water' by Elena Tchernichova. There are so many books available that I would love to buy and I was particularly torn between this one and Sir Peter Wrights autobiography... The book should arrive by the 6th of Feb ! I'll let anyone who is interested know my opinion !

PdQ I said exactly the same thing about the waltz !!! I thoroughly enjoyed the documentary and echo all of the praise from other forum members who have been so kind to post their impressions. I would also like to add that regarding Darcey Bussell and taking into account - and mostly agreeing with - the general opinion that she is not always at her best as an interviewer or presenter, but according to people I know who have worked with her or passed by her at the ROH she is a consummate professional, kind, helpful and very low key. Just because Ms Bussell was an accomplished dancer does not mean she would be a naturally gifted presenter ( I don't watch Strictly) I'm sure that she is doing her best and let's not forget that perhaps her contract with the BBC means she is obliged to present certain shows with little control over the content. In my opinion she was one of the many valuable pieces of Sir Peter's documentary.

I dipped in and out of this programme after a family Christmas Dinner ! Personally I loved seeing the WL Students and their excitement for auditioning for Mr Christopher Carr, also the 'big girls' from RBS who had been recruited to bulk up the corps. Miss Hayward, in my opinion, is divine (ditto Alex Campbell) and I loved how he felt so responsible for her, I believe he said something along the lines of - it's her first time dancing this role and I need to look after her - Lesley Collier came across as such a caring coach and I particularly enjoyed the scene where Sir Peter Wright was rehearsing Marcelino Sambe and Luca Accri for the Chinese dance. The bit (for those of you who saw) where Marcelino 'messes up' falls into side splits and does a backward roll (I'm guessing due to exhaustion) which Sir Peter seemed to approve of and has introduced to the ballet.....I bet all the other dancers due to dance this role are thinking...Cheers Marcelino...

Emma Northmore (Ballet Boost). I believe she has posted in the forum so you will be able to find her contact details. x

Quite. From my experience you must be 'ordinarily resident' (for 3 years I think ?) in the UK before qualifying for funding. My son had been at boarding school in the UK from the age of 11, held a British passport, but did not qualify for UK student funding for uni.

Me too ! The irony is that before the school moved to Birmingham and was known as Elmhurst Ballet School it actually provided a wider curriculum with excellent training in classical, MT and drama than 'Elmhurst School for Dance' does/did.. I've no idea why they decided on the original name change especially as the move to B'ham was supposed to herald in an era of closer links with BRB and the school's focus undoubtedly became much more geared to classical training. I believe that it is the oldest vocational school in the UK and personally am very happy with the change.

Thank you for all your thoughts on last nights performance. I had a feeling it would be a special one

I had problems on the 'World Ballet Day' site initially , but then switched to the FB feed (small screen) and managed to watch all of the RB stream. It was lovely and I hope that all who missed it will be able to catch up on youtube over the next few days. x

If anyone is going to watch Marcelino's performance (on the 6th I believe) please do let us (me ) know how it went. x

Oh dear....I hope that the weekend improves for you. x

For any overseas DC's who may be interested. http://www.royalballetschool.org.uk/train/dancer-training/international-scholars-programme/

I just came across this article regarding the situation in Berlin. http://ballett-journal.de/schneewittchen-immer-wieder-ein-klassiker/

I remember the first time I saw the film when I was little and thinking she was the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen.

MAB, are you looking for 'fava' beans ? My husband (who is Portuguese) loves them and has told me that 'broad beans' is the closest you'll find in the UK. (He cooks them with various types of chourizo and coriander)

I used to love Cadburys Creme Eggs , but as has been acknowledged they are not quite what they used to be :/ I also used to work with a former employee of Nestle who informed me that they (many years ago) used to place bets on who could spit most accurately on the chocolate before it was wrapped....I'm sure that health and safety is much tighter nowadays...

It's still rather warm over here, but I did make a lamb casserole last week. (Lamb, veg, wine) and as we were staggered for eating times (work/school/football/ballet) I asked the last person who ate to put the pot soaking in the sink.....They didn't, and being busy I also didn't give it a second thought. Several hob cooked dinners later and I went back to the oven...to discover a rather congealed and nasty casserole which I had to chuck away and wash up.... x

I have always been awful at maths, and mathematical history sounds like something that would give me nightmares...However (as a lover of history, but non mathematical ) I'd love to visit the Alhambra Palace. Sorry for my ignorance, but is there a particular link between the Palace and...maths ? Good luck for the ivory tower .x