thewinelake

I hear there was only 1 boy (senior section). That's a shame. At least he was good!

Ah, yes, 2 DDs, but both in the senior category - in fact all my comments (secondhand from the boss) pertain to the senior section. Hope you resolve your dilemma happily!

Hey Annaliesey, well done your DD! - did she get one? Our DD1 was also selected but didn't get it, although one of her school-friends did. Both DDs very excited. Mrs Winelake was very impressed at the overall standard of the dancers, having been led to believe that qualification was a shoe-in! I understand that the scholarship session was pretty demanding. I'm looking forward to seeing one or two of the shows...

I've had a little look around, but I don't seem to be able to find any threads on advice for taking photographs of dancers, particularly in studio conditions where one has some control over lighting and backgrounds, etc. Any suggestions, or resources on the web I could look at? I tend to like the rather moody looking shots. A bit clichéd perhaps, but there is still scope for a bit of creativity.

Anyone else at the audition today? I wasn't - Mrs Winelake did the chauffeuring duties, but maybe see some of you at rehearsals?

How can you guys (some of you, anyway) blame poor old Peregrine for the curtain malfunction? He is some kind of scapepony?! BTW - I may well be wrong about who was riding the carriage - maybe it was Lise - I was so entrance by the wheels, I didn't notice.

The other thing that impressed me was that mock carriage of girls carrying the idiot to the picnic - the ribbons forming the big wheels was genius!

I've got to say that I agree - I didn't fall in love with Lise, although I was extremely impressed and captivated by her dancecraft (is that even a word?). There are occasions where I am more taken in an emotional way by ballerinas (bizarrely I find that the dancers from the Far East seem to do it for me - Nao Sakuma and Yuhui Choe) although I do wonder if it's impossible to get the two together - perhaps a bit of "girl next door" reality doesn't go with technical wizardry?

Do they release DVDs of these filmed performances?

I'm glad you asked, as even such a gateaux-meister as M. Blanc would have found much sugary sweet delights to admire in this performance. I'm not a ballet nut like most of you guys, but this was sheer pleasure and fun! That funny little autistic (?) guy in love with his umbrella was quite a novel concept to me and kept the emphasis on slight tragi-comedy (aided by the curtain+carriage mishap!). His takeoff at the end of Act I was a real surprise (is it OK to say that, now the run is over?). Macrae was pure sculptured posterior, and I was well impressed with his macho variation in the picnic scene. One wonderful moment was Osipova's ribbon-assisted slow pirouette - just beautiful. Also utterly charming was the scene when she thinks she's all alone in the house (wish I had binoculars to see her facial expressions more clearly). I do wonder if others might be more naturally suited to that kind of role, though? One odd thing happened, which was that (as I mentioned earlier) we had a spare ticket. Unfortunately, there wasn't any demand, so I was unable to sell it. Then before the start of Act II, an eagle-eyed american guy who'd paid for the slips, comes along and asks if the seat is taken... I didn't know quite what to say ("yours for a tenner?!") but said he was welcome to it. A little embarrassing, as he then proceeded to spend the entire 2nd Act leaning forward (and he was pretty tall). I felt sorry for the people on the row behind. Maybe best put in the etiquette thread?!

Raymond blanc is in da house tonight...

Well, it looks like she'll not be coming now - mostly due to tiredness following illness over the weekend. I suppose I'll be returning the one ticket now. Unless anyone here is interested, that is - It's C44 Amphitheatre Left £51. I'll check here for interest around lunchtime and if none expressed will call ROH...

Really looking forward to seeing this on Tuesday... We've got a potential issue that my wife MAY not be able to make it, due to pressures of work. If that happens (and we'll only know on the evening), would the ROH be interested in a last minute ticket return? Or (if I may postulate such an unseemly scenario) are there crowds of people begging for spares outside?!!

Ah, yes, that other thread is quite a warning, but interesting. Just for the record, I'm only asking out of academic curiosity - none of my family have any intention of taking up ballet professionally (although it does strike me as odd that they and loads of others seem to do these "vocational exams" just because they can!). I'm surprised only 4 were listed (what's an MDS?) although some mention of Northern Ballet School and YDA (what's that?!). I suppose a crude way of assessing a pecking order would be "how hard is it to get into?" although I do understand that this is misleading. I should also state that I'm a passionate skeptic when it comes to school league tables, so my question is knowingly simplistic...

You never know!

Ha! They've now changed the date to something that's far more convenient!

Probably heresy to ask and the inevitable "it's complicated" is probably the right answer, but is there a kind of league table of full time ballet schools in the uk? Maybe an old thread?

Ah! Very useful, thanks...

Well I live just 30 mins from Stevenage, but DD1 will be in Bonn and I need to work out a flight. Perhaps Miss Janet will be accommodating with a later slot - 5pm would be just about doable (although I still find it feels wrong planning on a positive outcome of the auditions - even though not to do so could result in trouble!)

Thanks! So casting "day" might start as early as 1pm? Probably means a day off school for many applicants

DDs are considering auditioning for EYB at Stevenage this year. One slight problem might be if they were selected for casting, to get to that event. I've not emailed yet, but do any previous participants remember what the timing is? i.e. start/end time. Thanks

Wondering if Khvanchkara is a wine or a ballet dancer/choreographer?!! Yes, I've visited the vineyards there - fascinating the way the vines can develop in those craters. However, the wines are much better in Tenerife! Suertes del Marques (no relation of Roberta!) is well worth trying. Will certainly follow up the Khvanchkara recommendation - cheers!

Thanks a lot, guys.... Row C it is!

They sell Georgian wine at M&S. Quite interesting - "Orange" wine, matured in clay amphorae. There's also this red (which I haven't tried!) http://www.marksandspencer.com/chateau-mukhrani-saperavi-case-of-6/p/p60054091 Currently in a bit of a Tenerife phase wine-wise....

Well, there is still loads of availability on the ROH website, FWIW! It might be simpler for me just to return the strip, although if there is interest in those particular tickets, let me know!