amos73

10 hours ago, aileen said:

I saw the Friday night and Saturday matinee performances. Having not been particularly enamoured with Song of the Earth at the ROH a few years ago I was surprised to find that I really enjoyed it on Friday, hence my booking for the performance on Saturday. I felt that the Oliveira/Arrieta/Sarahusi cast was the more integrated one and Oliveira had the edge over Takahashi in terms of intensity. I've been pondering the Messenger role. I'm no expect but I think that he can be played in a variety of ways. I don't think that he has to be a tall or physically 'substantial' dancer or one who has a very menacing presence. Ken Sarahusi is very slightly built and a rather quicksilver dancer. His Messenger was not physically dominating but an insistent figure, always returning to remind the Man and the Woman that death awaited. He was not sinister or threatening but quietly bided his time. I personally thought that he was very effective in the role. Adela Ramirez and Senri Kou were both excellent in the Third Song (I thought that the whole corps was very good, actually). I have wondered before why the latter has not been cast in leading roles as she has always impressed me in the featured roles that I have seen her in. I would have thought that she'd be a natural Giselle and Sylph (ah, the mysteries of casting and career progression again....)

 

As for La Sylphide, well, I rather liked the costumes (although perhaps another colour could have been substituted for the yellow). People are always complaining about how dark and drab sets and costumes are. Ciro Tamayo's dancing was spectacular but I agree that he could tone the acting down a notch; however, I was sitting in the stalls and perhaps it came across better to people sitting further away. Rina Kanehara was a lovely rather child-like Sylph, playful and coquettish. I thought that she could hardly be bettered but Alison McWhinney's beautiful soulful Sylph was absolutely heartbreaking at the end. I would like to pay a special mention to the children (from the Young Dancers Academy and the West London School of Dance) taking part. They were excellently drilled and a total delight (particularly the little boy wearing the red kilt dancing at the front).

 

Btw, is it really the case that Ciro Tamayo performed on four consecutive days this week (he was in both of the performances that I saw)?

My Dd was one of them! She will be thrilled to hear how you enjoyed her and her classmate's performance. And yes it has been an amazing opportunity for them.

1 hour ago, Balletmummy18 said:

I think you all have articulated the problem perfectly particularly Pups Mum ... you certainly can’t discuss it with pastoral leaders or the head- your child would simply be asked to leave... 

 

 

 

 

 

Wow. 

On 1/8/2018 at 20:32, aileen said:

It's very sad and unfortunate that Shiori Kase is injured again. I'm sure that she would have been a lovely Sylph. I hope that it's not an old injury that has flared up again.

I saw Shiori performing the sylph at Milton Keynes in October (my DC is one of the children performing with ENB) and she was wonderful, particularly in the second act, so moving. 

Interesting read. I'm glad to hear the boy is now happy and found a new place to train. 

He doesn't name the school but I thought there seemed to be some rather obvious hints as to where it might be.

3 hours ago, junedancer said:

Andrew pulls together a range of professionals including great technicians, performers and choreographers so everyone should get something out of participating.  I would agree that if you want something more technical then this may not be the right option.  For dancers who spend the term working on technique and preparing for examinations it is nice to have something different for holiday courses.  We haven't found many that are so focused on technique for the whole of the course, even the big names.

Yes that was exactly what dd enjoyed about it - she is a full time vocational student so every day is focussed on technique. The course was a lovely complement to that. 

Dance Forward is great. DD did their summer course and is signed up for Easter. Lots of repertoire with Principals from RB - (Sarah Lamb, Yasmine Naghdi, Frederico Bonelli were all teaching the course in August this year)

So glad I get to wave the Pompoms for Mini PV!!!

I work round the corner from there so trust me, I know all about overpriced hipster coffee ...

My 'like' was for Dd's Strictly Dancing, not for her injury, which sounds very painful. 

In terms of tomorrow I think if she says in morning it is sore and affecting how she moves I think totally reasonable to mention she was injured. Otherwise maybe just dose with ibuprofen and hope that takes edge off any residual niggling pain?

And good luck to mini pv! Pom poms are ready and waiting.

All tickets gone now.

Hi

Left G46/47/48

I have three amphi tickets for sale £38 each face value for closing night of Alice roh- Francesca Hayward as Alice.

pm me if interested 

I have 3 tickets G46-48 for amphitheatre 28th October 7pm with Hayward as Alice, looking to exchange for Mon 23rd if possible?

Applications normally go live August/September. Check their website. Prelim auditions start November through Jan. Finals in March.

It is available on iPlayer for 29 days I've just seen

5 hours ago, ArucariaBallerina said:

Leading on from the first question... Has any not got into WL or Elmhurst Lower School but got into their Upper Schools? 

I believe this happens quite often and know of students at Royal upper and Elmhurst upper who didn't get into their lower schools.

Dancer123 - will PM you.

1 hour ago, Dancer123 said:

yes when we got SWL in Year 5 no place came up at London. But if its your destiny then it will happen!! Does anyone have any inspiring stories to lift my disappointment after a NO?? Do you still just keep plodding along & trying. Just can't even work out now if its worth applying for vocational schools. DD is totally fine, not sure whats wrong with me but not sure how much rejection I can take!!!!

I think only you and your DD can decide if it is worth carrying on.

I do know of people who have had nos that in future were yeses.

I also know of people who have had yeses at one point (JAs) that turned to nos at MAs.

One year you might get a no, the next a yes. It does happen. But also it happens the other way round.

Personally I think it is worth auditioning again if you are serious about wanting to dance vocationally and professionally, regardless of the result, as the auditions in themselves are always good experience.

My DD is at full time vocational school. She didn't get further than swl for royal. It doesn't mean she can't continue with her aim to dance professionally eventually.

N.B. Nothing is guaranteed in the world of ballet. Even if a student gets a place at white lodge they know that their yes that year might turn into a future 'no', as staying there is dependent on passing assessment in certain years. 

18 hours ago, sunrise81 said:

Yey! Short Waiting List for Year 4 Leeds. So proud of her as it was her very first audition!!! 

12 hours ago, sunrise81 said:

Has anyone gone on to get a place from the SWL? And how short is short? Sorry......these were questions for DD asked and I couldn't answer. Thought you ladies may know! 

Congratulations sunrise81. 

My DD got SWL for London in year 6 and for MAs but unfortunately did not get a place from the wait list. I have no idea how long the list is, and they don't give that info out, as I have asked!

Fingers crossed someone gives up a place for your DD.

7 minutes ago, Petalviolet said:

What a question. Not only has it distracted me from slavish viewing of Sky rolling news today but now I've also lost track of my prune count.

 

If I got to six then this is the magic number.

If it was only five then my healthy snacking will not be efficacious.

If it was seven then disaster could ensue.

 

Should I play it safe or risk it? What a conundrum. A pertinent one though I'm sure you'll agree.

 

Prune dilemma aside, I cannot wait to read more of the advice/replies to this thread.

Best answer ever???

Agree with Harwel's very sensible comments. i would be wary of taking these comments as gospel. Also extreme flexibility is not the be all and end all in dance. It is dance after all. A good base line of flexibility can always be worked on and improved with exercises and stretching performed in a safe manner and under experienced instruction. Extreme stretches done when muscles are not warmed up and held for longer than 30 seconds can cause real damage.

23 minutes ago, Sarah2203 said:

My friend was advised they still had a number of MDS awards to give out. I know one of the girls from my DD JA made it to finals and was originally told no but then contacted last week with an offer of a place for yr 7.

Was she on the reserve lis or just a no? You wouldn't be expecting that call would you if so? 

It is interesting they seem to have more MDS still to give out. Last year it was very different. I wonder why?

13 minutes ago, Sarah2203 said:

That may explain why my DD JA teacher advised new photos then. Her photos were done back in September and her shape has completely changed. I've emailed but not heard back yet. 

Aha! So are they likely to advertise this new audition or is it just for people in the know??

Interesting Hairbelles - is that what they are doing this year?

I know, I've gone through the link now and accepted, hope it didn't mean we hadn't accepted before! Oh well ...

Have seen a post on FB just now of another girl who has got place off the waiting list. It does happen.