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Odyssey

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  1. Odyssey
    Just glancing at the listings for this evening on Sky Arts Abba themed programmes from 8pm until virtually midnight. I don't hold out much hope for dance in 2016.
  2. Odyssey
    You might be interested in this http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/18/arts/dance/designated-cheering-spectators-thrive-at-the-bolshoi-theater.html?_r=0
  3. Odyssey
    Matthew Bourne was interviewed on the BBC this morning, clearly delighted and 'honoured' to be a recipient of this award. He also believes he is the first representative from a contemporary dance background to be knighted, and as such,feels a tremendous responsibility towards his art. Do people think he is right in being the first in his area? I can't think of anyone else. Sorry Janet, I didn't see your link until after I had posted this
  4. Odyssey
    Hmm, sounds like the etiquette of applause might make an interesting thread... Or has it been covered already?
  5. Odyssey
    Thanks for posting this. Some lovely footage of Dowell & Sibley, but especially the section showing so many dancers from a previous generation as they are boarding the plane, including my favourite, Ann Jenner
  6. Odyssey
    Floss, much as I enjoy your posts, I find the comments about Darcey Bussell unnecessary. I share your frustration that the BBC have repeatedly used her to front documentaries on classical ballet, no doubt capitalising on her Strictly fame. However, someone who has been a principal dancer and had major roles choreographed on them is qualified to take on this role and hardly brainless. A glance at the credits for the Ballet Heroes program reveals she didn't write or direct the programme so it would be unfair to put the blame on her for much of the programme's content. I think most of us would agree that her interview style leave a lot to be desired and is very off putting at times, but there are other aspects to Darcey that would attract a new audience to dance, not least her enthusiasm, her interest in working with young aspiring dancers and of course her physical qualities. I would add that David Bintley has fronted two excellent programmes recently which suggests there is a willingness to cast the net a little wider.
  7. Odyssey
    Am I right in thinking that Nureyev subsequently produced this version of Nutcracker at Paris Opera? And if so is it still in their repertoire?
  8. Odyssey
    I'd like to return to the Nureyev Dance to Freedom programme which I thought was in many ways the most interesting and original programme about ballet I have seen for a long time. I found it refreshing to dramatise the events, interspersing the dramatic reconstructions with photographs and interview with people who were caught up in these events. And what remarkable interviews they were- Alla Soloviev, Tatiana Legat to name but two of the many ex Kirov and French dancers. There was even an ex KGB officer. It was moving to hear the voice of Clara Saint who clearly fell in love with Nureyev and played a prominent role in his defection. The choice of Artem Ovrachenko to play the character of Nureyev was inspired - not only a fine dancer but his occasional tilt of the head and certain expressions uncannily resembled the man. The final section prompted some provocative thoughts about the defection being less instinctive than is commonly believed and that Nureyev had been planning this for sometime. A few programmes like this go a long way in redeeming the reputation of the BBC for its scanty scheduling of dance programmes.
  9. Odyssey
    Yes I did. I also have the series on video somewhere if I can get to find it. Do you remember the Ballerina series that proceeded it introduced by Makarova again with a very nice book to accompany the series?
  10. Odyssey
    Although I sometimes find Darcey's interviews during the live feed performances irritating, I have never found this particularly so with the various documentaries she has presented. I really enjoyed the 'ballet heroes' programme and particularly the interviews with Nikolaj Hübbe , Irek Mukhamedov and Julie Kavanagh. It was also good to see Clement Crisp still making a contribution to this type of programme. Alongside some wonderful vintage footage, the short clips of Jonathan Cope coaching and Edward Watson rehearsing left you wanting more. Given the constraints in terms of time and intended audience, I think the programme was a good job done. However the section with Peter Schaufuss made me long for a repeat of the Dancer series he fronted for the BBC. A much more detailed examination of the male dancer.
  11. Odyssey
    I fear that we are in danger of pointing the blame when we start to discuss the person in charge of filling in the security checks. Floss, you rightly state so many of the dreadful cases of abuse are historic when no such checks were in place. I don't think anyone would disagree that the inclusion of stringent safe guarding checks are a vital part of OFSTED inspections and that all schools and colleges must follow these procedures. However, it is quite feasible for a school to fall foul of inspection requirements because of the way data is required to be recorded and reported. It's regrettable, but it happens. New and changing criteria for assessing and quality proofing systems is rife in education as it is through all public services. It doesn't mean the school has been failing it's pupils. Indeed if this had been the case, it would have been immediately put into special measures during the first inspection. I mentioned in my earlier post that the grade "notice to improve" used to be classed as "satisfactory". This was changed because it was felt that schools who achieved this grade would be content and not have sufficient incentive to strive to move to the categories of good or outstanding. Schools can no longer achieve this "notice to improve " grade on a second inspection without being put into special measures. Hence the situation at the Royal Ballet School. I would also go back to my earlier point about the need for procedures to be embedded in a school. What tends to happen in an inspection is there is an initial interview with the manager of the area and an examination of the paperwork. The inspectors then make checks on staff who are involved in carrying out this aspect of the school's work. This can range from teaching and pastoral tutors through to administrative and other support staff. So we really can't come to any conclusions about what has brought about this situation, and we certainly shouldn't be judging that the school has systems that might allow the recruitment of unsuitable staff.
  12. Odyssey
    On a similar note, there are issues about lighting. Earlier in the thread several comments were made about how dark ithe set seemed in this screening. I had a look at the previous transmission of this production (2012?), and it is much brighter. It is the one thing that spoils the performance of the BRB Nutcracker from many years ago (on DVD)- much of act one is barely viewable and you can't see the clever transformation scene. I'd be interested to knows whether adjustments are made for live screenings - or is it prohibitively costly to design new lighting just for one performance?
  13. Odyssey
    Well, when I took my neighbour to the live screening and the advert for 'Pigeons' came along, she told me she wasn't keen to go as she doesn't like pigeons!!
  14. Odyssey
    There doesn't appear to be any new productions on Sky Arts this Christmas which is disappointing. I was hoping at the very least, one of the recent live screenings might have been shown, but they all seem to be repeats.
  15. Odyssey
    Having worked in a senior position in education for many years, I can assure you that a notice to improve ( which used to be classed as a "satisfactory" ) can be given for having documentation that fails to tick the correct boxes. I wouldn't for one minute wish to belittle the inspection report with no detailed knowledge of what the problem is, but I would just wish to emphasise that many educational establishments have had these judgements when the quality of what they deliver isn't in question, it's how the communicate iand embed it in their work. I should imagine there will be a few people in this forum who have experienced a similar situation. Sadly, the way these things get reported detract from the many excellent aspects a school or college can possess.
  16. Odyssey
    I would have thought making archives available on line similar to what the BFI have done would be a fine way of delivering the central remit of a public service broadcast company. How expensive would it be compared to the vast amounts spent on securing broadcasting rights for major sporting fixtures for example? Although the BBC have made, and continue to make, some superb ballet documentaries, the number of productions they screen has been paltry for quite a few years now - perhaps the live cinema screenings which Sky Arts then broadcast, has prevented there being more. I think I'm right in saying that the BBC never repeat any productions they screen - again it seems it might be a less expensive option. Last Christmas I seem to remember the ballet was The Winter's Tale - surely there could be some room in the schedule to show it again ( there's enough repeats of so many other genres of programmes). Or if not this Christmas, why not next? Rather, I expect in twenty years time, a brief extract will surface in a documentary about Wheeldon there will be posts here bemoaning the lack of access to any filmed productions.
  17. Odyssey
    Some exquisite performances tonight. I agree with Nina G about this demonstrating the high quality performances the Royal Ballet can deliver. I do prefer the BRB production with a transformation scene that continues to excite no matter how many times you see it, but there's quite a few changes made to this production from when it first appeared and I do like how Clara and Hans -Peter are given significant contributions to the various dances in Act 2. Yes what did happen to Lauren ?
  18. Odyssey
    I thought this [the Imagine programme on Carlos Acosta] was a very enjoyable and detailed documentary. Some interesting archive footage and very interesting to hear Carlos talk about his exciting project in Cuba.
  19. Odyssey
    Such sad news. I have a short video clip of her in a rehearsal studio with a young ballet fan who had cerebral palsy. Briony dances for her and helps her try on pointe shoes and a headdress - very touching. I'm wondering if any of her performances were recorded. I think she may be one of the fairy variation in a recording of Sleeping Beauty, but I wonder if there is a recording of her Swan Lake.
  20. Odyssey
    I really enjoyed the encore broadcast this afternoon. Apart from the superb dancing by the whole cast, a special word for the orchestra too- I found myself appreciating many of the tiny nuances of the score and how Ashton has interpreted these so brilliantly. I didn't notice any issues with the lighting, and on a related point. I think the storm is the most ferocious I have seen in any production of La Fille! Yes I think Darcey has improved - particularly in the interview with Lesley Collier which was very informative. I really appreciated her honesty about Natalia not being quite the Ashton dancer (yet) . Interestingly Darcey seemed most ill at ease in her piece about Peregrine. Great to hear there will be six cinema broadcasts next season.
  21. Odyssey
    Plus once he (eventually) found out who had won, unlike the norm for awards, he didn't keep us all waiting for an interminable amount of time .
  22. Odyssey
    I don't think the Nunez/ Acosta Fille has been shown on the BBC, just Sky, but I may be wrong. Sylvia has been - it was filmed in partnership with the BBC. It's hardly a list to be proud of. I did find this on the BBC Arts pages http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4xKtknHYSsn6clSRr9BtfdY/ashton-four-of-the-best
  23. Odyssey
    I agree it would have been a good idea to focus a little more on how the judges reached their conclusion with perhaps brief comments about each of the dancers. The presentation was a hoot - perhaps a golden envelope is required next year.
  24. Odyssey
    Alison, I think you can listen to some of the episodes if you 'goggle' it. The link to Radio 3 page for the series suggests you can.
  25. Odyssey
    Perhaps we should be lobbying the BBC to broadcast more Ashton classics - Would I be right in thinking the Collier/Coleman performance is probably the last time La Fille was shown? It would be interesting to have some stats on which Ashton ballets have been broadcast in the last thirty years - it would be a very short list.
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