Balletfanp

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Hi, I was having the same issue but have just cleared my cookies and it seems to have done the trick. The site is still a bit flaky, though, and is still occasionally throwing up the Internal Error message.

But the point is - as others have stated - this may be typical in some other companies, but is pretty much unprecedented, or at least highly unusual, for ENB.

Sorry, but I find it hard to believe that all these dancers are leaving through jealousy... seriously?? Dancers get promoted all the time in all companies, but I don't think I am aware of any sudden mass exodus in other companies whenever there are promotions.

From an outsider's point of view - and from a manager's point of view as well - if staff were leaving where I work in the numbers that are leaving ENB it would be a serious cause for concern. Yes, some of the dancers concerned are couples, and yes, one expects a certain level of turnover in a company, but this does seem excessive. Happy staff/dancers don't leave in droves without a reason, and it's usually not for a good one.

It seems a rather badly managed press release given the omissions - given that it is the official announcement, one would expect it to be complete and correct.

Yes, I had the same thought - it seems a wasted opportunity to see a different cast.

Oh yes, Alice - I love the Cheshire Cat!

I realised after writing my post that I had missed adding the curtain up on Symphonic Variations - thanks for the reminder. Like a burst of sunshine on a group of classical statues. Also, when I saw Jewels, there was an audible "Oooh!" from the audience when the curtain went up on Diamonds.

Like Duck, Act 2 of the Winter's Tale - the tree, the brilliant colours, the sheer exuberance of the dancing. I always find the scene in Romeo and Juliet where they are standing completely still at opposite sides of the stage just staring at each other, whilst the Dance of the Knights continues between them, a pretty powerful moment. The last moments of Within the Golden Hour when the curtain closes on the dancers still all moving together like cogs in a machine. The final Pas de deux in the Two Pigeons especially when the second pigeon flies in. Plenty more but I could be up all night listing them! Someone mentioned the curtain going up on Vertiginous Thrill with Muntagirov and McRae both standing there - unfortunately when I saw it I had a very tall man sitting in front of me, whose head completely obscured Steven McRae, so for several moments I thought Vadim was alone on stage!

Yes, and especially about Symphonic Variations. I had the same thoughts whilst watching it. I read somewhere that it was created - partly at least - as a piece of pure beauty and joy as a reaction to the horrors of war. It struck me that it fulfills a similar purpose today.

Oh, so sad. You gave her lots of love and she was evidently a happy cat and died with the people she loved.

Terrible. I should think that is anyone's worst nightmare.

And I'm wondering where Melissa Hamilton may fit into all this? If she is back in the company, I suppose it could be argued that having been an "acting" Principal at Dresden, she may also have a claim to be promoted? I'm not saying I particularly agree with this scenario, but....

I must say I think the costumes for Symphonic Variations are amongst the loveliest I have seen in a ballet. Incredibly flattering to both the men and women, and appear to suit all heights and builds. Unlike some costumes I have seen....

I think you are so right, Mary, and it's a fact that his lovely personality shines through very strongly on stage. It's one of the things - along with his beautiful dancing - that makes him stand out and be so very watchable, in my humble opinion.

We had transmission problems in the cinema in Plymouth too. First during the initial interviews, when the screen suddenly broke up and then went blank with no sound, for several seconds - just as we were starting to think we'd lost it completely, it came back on (phew!). There was a couple of seconds during Symphonic Variations as well, but again, it came back. Ore has actually grown on me up to a point. I used to find him terribly patronising, but since he has done Strictly, he does seem to have developed an appreciation of dance and the dancers (and how deceptively difficult it is), and whilst he obviously doesn't have much depth of knowledge, it is growing. I think with Darcey they would be better off giving her some guidelines of what they want her to say, and points to cover and let her ad lib - she is better when being natural. And leave the names to Ore! I had been on Monday and saw different casts except for SV (can't keep typing that in full!). I enjoyed the Dream much more on a second viewing, and although he wasn't necessarily the perfect Oberon, I did prefer McRae to Campbell in the role. Akane Takada was lovely, so fairylike and tiny, with beautiful arms. Zucchetti as Puck was amazing, although the jury is out as to whether or not I preferred him to Acri, who was also excellent. I particularly enjoyed Mendizabal's Helena - she hit the comedy bang on the nail. SV was, for me, a slice of heaven once again. Nunez and Muntagirov outstanding, with her footwork and his lines and elegance, but the whole cast were just a joy. I got a little irritated with some of the camera close ups as they seemed to choose just the wrong moment to zoom in on someone's face, when they should have been pulling back to show the patterns and general movement, but it was still a delight to watch again. Zenaida made me cry in the cinema! Not a reaction I was expecting - I had enjoyed Osipova and thought she was excellent, but she didn't provoke any kind of similar reaction. And it wasn't just that it was Zenaida's final performance. Her send off was glorious and well deserved. I do hope they bring out a DVD; it seems criminal not to.

My thoughts after tonight. I, too , was slightly disappointed in Alex Campbell's performance, but I can't quite put my finger on why - he danced well. Perhaps because Luca Acri' s Puck was so good? (Not seen David Yudes so can't comment). But Acri seemed made for the role, his mischievous facial expressions and dancing creating the character effortlessly. And I love Laura Morera - her performance was fantastic. I had been looking forward to Symphonic Variations for a long time, having never seen it live - but particularly with Muntagirov and Nunez. I was not disappointed. The music, the steps, the costumes and backdrop, all combining in a sublime whole. Everyone performed well, but there is something about Muntagirov's exuberant grace and unique elegance, along with Nunez's inner involvement, and their chemistry , which makes this work on a higher plane. And that after dancing Swan Lake in Vienna only last night! I was worried about Osipova's Marguerite as I thought she might "overdo" it - but I have to say she was wonderful. Very moving. She and Shklyarov obviously had chemistry - and he performed well - but I couldn't help but imagine Muntagirov in the role - surely he is made for it?? I do hope that he is given a shot at it next season.

I was going to suggest chipping - many animal rescues offer it cheap or for free and it is worth having it done. Be careful that the collars have an elastic panel to enable your cats to escape without strangling if they get snagged on something.

What a relief!

Does she use a litter tray? If a cat goes missing they recommend that you place their litter tray outside (somewhere it won't get wet if it rains). They can smell it from a mile off and find their way home. Even if her sight is poor, hopefully her sense of smell is still enough to get her home. Cats are such a worry when they go missing.....?

Yes, I found myself thinking the same at the end - that I didn't actually care about Amelie's downfall and distress, and I think it was because the character was not drawn terribly well, which made it hard to feel much empathy. No reflection on Osipova's performance at all, I just think the story was badly put together. I also found the music pretty "samey" throughout, it made the whole ballet feel very one-dimensional and there didn't appear to be much change in pace throughout. One scene just seemed to merge into the next with nothing to wake one up or wonder what was going to happen next. Personally, I can't see much to salvage here, which is a shame as normally I like Wheeldon's work.

I was also there. I really enjoyed Vertiginous Thrill - Muntagirov and McRae dancing together onstage was thrilling and I have to say that although they were both fantastic, Muntagirov looked the more relaxed of the two, imo. Sambe and Hayward in Tarantella were just joyful - put a big smile on my face - just such fun and well deserved huge applause. I didn't see Strapless last time around and wondered how I would feel about it. Dull, dull, dull, was what I felt, despite great performances from all the dancers who did their best to inject a spark into it. After about 10 minutes I found my attention wandering and I was watching the orchestra more than the stage - not the best sign! Applause seemed distinctly muted , which, although understandable, was a shame for the dancers. Unlike Bridiem, I actually really enjoyed Symphonic Dances, although I think anything at that point would have been an improvement after Strapless if I'm honest! I thought the lighting and projection effects were effective (if dazzling!), there was some lovely choreography and music. Yanowsky, of course, was wonderful, and brought home the sadness of her retirement when she is still dancing so well, but her pas de deux with Reece Clarke was beautiful, and I really liked Hay in this as well, although all the performances were good.

Hmm - unless I'm going mad, Calvert and Kish appear to be dancing every performance of the Nutcracker at present....!

Yes, sorry, I stand corrected - writing very late!