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I know, just hoped it would be this year! Especially with a promotion for Reina this time around. Great pun by the way

I am so pleased with the majority of these - especially Delia Matthews and Yaoqian Shang. However, my personal favourite Laura Day has been overlooked again which disappointing - but we can't have everything!

MEDIA RELEASE: Monday 4 July 2016 BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET ANNOUNCEMENTS 2016 At the end of the 2015/2016 season, Birmingham Royal Ballet is able to announce the following: Samara Downs is promoted from First Soloist to Principal. Céline Gittens is promoted from First Soloist to Principal. Delia Mathews is promoted from Soloist to First Soloist. Yijing Zhang is promoted from First Artist to Soloist. Feargus Campbell is promoted from First Artist to Soloist. Brandon Lawrence is promoted from First Artist to Soloist. Valentin Olovyannikov is promoted from First Artist to Soloist. Yaoqian Shang is promoted from Artist to Soloist. Reina Fuchigami is promoted from Artist to First Artist. Jade Heusen is promoted from Artist to First Artist. Max Maslen is promoted from Artist to First Artist. Lachlan Monaghan is promoted from Artist to First Artist. The following dancers will join the company: Gabriel Anderson, graduate of the Royal Ballet School, will join as an Artist. Tim Dutson, graduate of English National Ballet School, will join as an Artist. Aitor Galende, graduate of the Royal Ballet School, will join as an Artist. The following dancers leave the company: Elisha Willis leaves Birmingham Royal Ballet after thirteen years with the Company, twelve of those years as a Principal. Elisha is retiring from ballet and is going to pursue a career in costume making. Jonathan Caguioa leaves Birmingham Royal Ballet after fourteen years with the Company, four of those years as a Soloist. Jonathan is returning to London to undertake a Pilates teaching course. Steven Monteith left Birmingham Royal Ballet earlier this season after eighteen years with the Company, six of those years as a Soloist. Steven is currently studying for the Professional Dancers’ Teaching Diploma at the Royal Academy of Dance. Oliver Till leaves Birmingham Royal Ballet after nine years with the Company. Oliver was promoted to Soloist earlier this season. He is now moving to the United States to pursue different opportunities. Leticia Dias Domingues leaves Birmingham Royal Ballet after a year with the Company. Leticia is joining the Royal Ballet as an Artist. Luke Schaufuss leaves Birmingham Royal Ballet after three years with the Company. Luke is joining Scottish Ballet as a Soloist.

Perhaps this move explains why he has been so absent from casting lists in the latter half of this season? I enjoyed watching Luke at BRB, particularly in The Nutcracker Russian Dances, but I can understand why it might have been difficult for Bintley to give him significant roles when he tours and guests so much.

I'm constantly tempted to book more.. Shang as Juliet and Day as Titania sorely tempt me.

I will be there on the opening night of each, particularly excited to see The Moor's Pavane with that amazing cast and Mathias Dingman as Hamlet. I always feel a sense of disappointment when BRB casting is posted, but only because I have too many favourites and couldn't possibly see them all in one performance!

I'm going on Friday evening - bit gutted I won't be seeing Laura Day in lead roles but overall very happy with the casting!

I forgot I hadn't posted here yet! I was lucky enough to make it to the Ashton Double Bill twice - seeing the Sakuma/Caley cast of The Dream on both occasions and catching both casts in A Month in the Country. The Dream was exquisite on both occasions for me, the perfect mix of classical romanticism and humour! The fairies were delightful, and I particularly enjoyed Miki Mizutani, Karla Doorbar, Reina Fuchigami and Laura Purkiss as the lead four on Saturday evening. Nao Sakuma and Joseph Caley were a wonderful pairing, both with such sound technique. I did crave a little more fire in the relationship, as I feel this must just be the latest in a long line of spats between Titania and Oberon and would love this reflected in the performances! Mathias Dingman was such a joy as Puck, he really stole the show for me. I was swept away by A Month In The Country on both occasions; the narrative and atmosphere is so absorbing despite the short performance time. Both Delia Matthews and Samara Downs were excellent as Natalia; I think Delia just edged it for me with the subtlety of her interpretation. Both Veras (Karla Doorbar and Laura Day) were fantastic - especially Laura's passionate acting towards the end. Despite Iain Mackay's beautiful dancing in the adage solo, I really loved Jamie Bond's interpretation - more of a loveable rogue!

I will be there this evening and Saturday evening!

Thank you so much Janet! Now I can justify going an extra time to see Laura Day

Romeo and Juliet casting has been announced for the whole tour. Shang was the only surprise for me. Totally biased but I think Laura Day would be wonderful as Juliet, so I hope she gets an opportunity like that one day!

No surprises for R&J casting - Bintley has tested a few younger dancers in principal roles recently but I think Juliet is too much in demand. I am going on opening night so I'm looking forward to see Jenna Roberts again after such a long time! I will also be going to the opening night of the Double Bill, but I'm gutted that I'm missing Laura Day as Vera, so I might have to book for the Friday as well!! Edited: Just seen Yaoqian Shang is due to dance Juliet on tour - what a huge opportunity for her, following Odette!

I got Vera too, pretty pleased but I would of course like to be a fairy queen! I'm going on the opening night of the Double Bill, just really want the casting now.

BRB's Swan Lake - for the exquisite corps, Brandon Lawrence and Delia Matthews. The King Dances - especially the stage design Celine Gittens as Fortuna in Carmina Burana (accompanied by the stunning Ex Cathedra) Northern Ballet's Perpetuum Mobile and abridged Madame Butterfly (100% agree with Janet about Rachel Gillespie). I can't wait to see them perform again, as this was my first experience of the Northern Ballet. Rambert's Rooster, for the fantastic fun and iconic music! BRB's Nutcracker - in particular Momoko Hirata's Sugar Plum Fairy and Laura Day's Clara

I completely forgot it was touring!!