Balletfanp

It used to bother me years ago when I did ballet that I didn't have swaybacks. I auditioned for White Lodge at the age of ten, got down to the last few before being rejected, but my straight legs weren't the reason (they said I had a faulty right knee which would give me problems - and how right they were!). So I don't think it's that important if it doesn't spoil the overall line. I was watching a video of Leanne Benjamin on You Tube a couple of weeks ago, and happened to notice that her legs were just like mine - definitely not swaybacks!

From Twitter just now - albeit my French isn't great - but it looks like Aurelie Dupont is taking over from Millepied as AD.

They also show the content pages of each issue online so that you can see if if is worth buying.

You can buy them online - digital or print - from their website.

Yes!

Last time I saw one it appeared to be exactly the same - interviews and all!

I take your point. But really, it wasn't just a mispronunciation, it came out absolutely nothing like. And yes, if she is dyslexic, I understand there may be problems with reading the Autocue. But all the more reason, surely, to mug up on who is dancing beforehand - and make sure you can at least approximately pronounce their names? That said, for the rest I didn't find her as bad as she has been in some of the other relays.

Back from the cinema as well - yes, yes, I know I only saw it on Saturday, but I had to see these two gorgeous ballets again, and was glad I did. I felt that the casts performed even better, and also the cinema view actually showed me some details I had missed on Saturday from my side on one side of the stalls circle. McRae and Osipova were just wonderful in Rhapsody tonight; they danced as though there was no tomorrow. Lauren and Vadim were heartbreaking in The Two Pigeons tonight - again, the cinema close-ups give a different perspective and there is no forgiveness. I defy anyone to say that Vadim can't act after tonight's performance; he was incredibly moving, his dancing was a delight and overall he showed why he won the Best Male Dancer award yesterday. I'm so glad he is getting a shot at the cinema relays ; the world needs to see more of him. And when he dances it looks like such a joyous thing - which, for me, is the difference between him and McRae. Lauren was charming and I loved the contrast between her gauche young girl in Act 1, and the more mature heartbroken one in Act 2. Oh, and the pigeons weren't bad either.... However, I had to restrain myself from giving loud hoots of mirth upon hearing Darcey's mangling of Vadim's surname! Oh dear, oh dear....WHAT did she call him?? Come on Darcey, it's not that difficult! )

Oops, somehow posted twice - sorry. Please can someone delete the duplicate?

I had hoped that Vadim Muntagirov, Matthew Ball and Laura Morera would win so delighted for them all (and for all those who won). Vadim has so consistently nailed every role, despite nearly all of them being new to him, that I hoped it would be a foregone conclusion. I'm particularly delighted for Laura Morera, who doesn't always seem to get the credit she deserves (by the way, there is a lovely interview with her in the February edition of Dance Europe).

How wonderful - so deserved!

That's the one - yes, I agree!

Oh dear - I didn't think about that - it would somehow be worse in the cinema!

Oh, and by the way, they were filming at the matinee, and one of the chaps I was talking to was sitting near the camera and took the opportunity to ask if there would be a DVD coming out. The cameraman said he thought there "probably" would be. Fingers crossed! I'd certainly buy it. Maybe we need to put pressure on Mr O'Hare afterwards to make sure!

I went to yesterday's matinee - a very long day up and back in a day for me, but well worth it. I'm not a great fan of Steven McRae and I don't think I will ever really warm to him but I have to say his performance in Rhapsody was superb. Likewise Osipova - beautifully danced. She is still quite "Russian" in her dancing and interpretation but for me that didn't detract from the performance at all, just brought something different to it. I would have loved to see the Hayward/Hay pairing to compare and contrast. The Corps performed very well too. I noticed one of the girls slipped on her first entrance - one of those things - but she recovered very quickly and well, and I doubt most of the audience would even have noticed. The Pas de Deux between McRae and Osipova was just exquisite, along with That Music, played wonderfully by the orchestra, that always makes my hair stand on end at the best of times (not least because I always associate it with a very sad and soppy film starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour!). The combination of music, choreography and their dancing almost finished me off! I had never seen Rhapsody before and am now very happy to have done so. On to the Two Pigeons. I was so looking forward to seeing this (another one I've never seen) and it didn't disappoint. For me, the second act was far more interesting than the first which is really just setting the scene, but the performances from Muntagirov and Cuthbertson were just lovely; they hit the comedy note just right but without going over the top or trying too hard, and seemed to me to have real chemistry - they make good pairing. Vadim's dancing in act 2 was just gorgeous as always - he always has such a perfect "finish", and those beautiful lines and effortless jump.... he was perfectly cast as the artist. Fumi Kaneko as the gypsy gave a great performance, but I couldn't help missing Laura Morera in the role; I felt that she would have brought more to it. However given that Kaneko was a last minute substitute I thought she gave a very creditable performance but would possibly look more at home in the cast she had rehearsed with all along. Not her fault - just circumstances. Heaven knows how they train those pigeons but I felt quite tense when they were on stage in the last few minutes - but they behaved impeccably and five stars for confident pigeon-handling from Vadim. The last Pas de Deux was just so beautifully and emotionally performed by the pair of them - I was fighting tears all the way through but almost started blubbering out loud when the Pigeon flew in at the end! (Note to self; you really must get your emotions under better control....). All in all, a wonderful afternoon, and also lovely to have long chat with various like-minded people at the stage door afterwards - the only thing about coming by myself is having no one to discuss the performance with afterwards, so I very much appreciated talking to several lovely people and having the opportunity to do so. I guess some may have been members of this forum but I had no way of telling.

I'll be happy to see Fumi Kaneko, but at the same time very disappointed as I was really looking forward to seeing Morera tomorrow.

There was an article in one of the newspapers about how some men are using Tinder to get victims for sexual assault. Be very careful.

I'm sure there is someone nice out there for you Lisa.

They do state that they will be keeping the existing choices of ticket delivery by post and ticket collection. As far as I can see they are trying to cater for everyone, and that's a good thing.

The ROH have just tweeted this link with information about e-ticketing:- www.roh.org.uk/news/royal-opera-house-to-introduce-e-tickets-during-2016 (Sorry, for some reason I couldn't paste it in as a live link. It's not normally a problem). Postal ticket delivery etc. will still be available, and even better, you don't have to print off the e-tickets; you can just show the email on your phone.

Ouch! It looks exactly like a photo I have of my own ankle following a nasty sprain a couple of years ago. The good news is, I was back doing Taekwondo 4 weeks later, and pretty much back to normal after 6 weeks. I don't know if it's the same thing, but I hope it's as quick for Alina.

Is there something in the air?? Terrible.

Can't quite believe it. All the heroes of my teenage years seem to be dropping like flies

I think ballet training is a really good starting point for any martial art. It teaches you awareness of your body and how it works. In doing Taekwondo patterns I find then really easy to pick up and remember (through learning multiple dances and sequences), plus the need for correct technique and perfection in every move is very similar to ballet. I guess that's why I enjoy it!

I haven't done Tai Chi but I started Taekwondo at the age of 44 and never looked back! Any if the martial arts (and despite appearances Tai Chi is a martial art) are excellent for improving flexibility, balance, and control.