Peanut68

I am wondering if there needs to be a specific union for dancers? We in the U.K. & the European Union countries would all have to check on the conditions livestock are raised in & livestock workers work in.... what about dancers???🤔

Right with you Taxi on the cynical step… this sort of thing frankly should be outlawed - at the very least called out for what it is. Am apprenticeship position should attract payment. Isn’t this sort of thing rather more like internships? And are there not some sort of laws about non exploitation? (Uk/European laws?)U thought the days of buying your way into a company went out with Dickens….? The power (& optimism? Stupidity?) of the parent purse seems to endorse this practise & sadly I think perpetuate the idea of there being more opportunities & more careers in classical dance than perhaps there actually are….

Thank you Jan

Out of interest, what age range are the dancers at time if suditikns/workshops & performances?

A musing on last nights R&J This comment may reflect the fact that I was in a restricted view seat quite far from stage of course.... It struck me for once how beautiful the leading lady’s pointe shoes were! So often we see dirty ripped satin, bulky & tatty darning, bunion bulging & even bloodied shoes! Ms Nunez’s shoes last night were pristine & added to her picture perfect image of the quintessential ballerina that she so wonderfully embodies! What a pleasure!

Nogoat, I like the way you express an added benefit of using this forum over the years as it does indeed act as a record we can revisit.... I certainly can chart much in my journey on here as an adult dancer, a dance Mum, an audience member & a general ballet gossip!!

Stop!! Too too funny to imagine 🤣🤣

🤣🤣🤣🤣I needed that laugh - thanks Rob S!!

😱 I honestly can’t think we’ve ever been asked to contribute to show costs other than perhaps buying a cast show T-shirt & buying tickets/programmes for show itself raffle tickets in intervals & occassionsl fundraising things like an Xmas Fair (stalls such as tombola) at Studio.... Not sure how I wouid feel paying an amount up front rather than parents choosing tgeif level of support (which could be time spent volunteering to chaperone/make costumes/sell tickets etc)

What beautifully written quotes from Bonelli & Kevin O’Hare in that press release!

Well said Tulip! and it’s not just in ballet.... For some (unknown?) reason our local primary school started weighing kids.... my son was deemed as over weight for his age (no mention of the fact that he was also seriously ‘over height’ for his age...a good head taller than the next nearest in his class....& at 16 is now pushing 6’6”!) This caused massive trouble at the time as he began to assume he was fat & he stppped eating puddings/sweets/saying no to crisps etc & actually got worryingly thin to the eye...yet by ‘statistics’ he was still overweight. ENOUGH!!! its so blindingly obvious to the eye & to very close contacts when someone has a problem with high or low weight for their particular frame & it’s also these same people best placed to notice any unusual behaviours around food/their body image/mental health etc. It should be illegal to ask for weight on any form whether it be for a summer or full time course. Why does this world of ballet feel it is above regular common sense safe guarding of children & young adults???

I have just bought the cheapest ticket available as absolutely no idea if I can actually get there!!! But I’m gonna work in it....at least I have a seat (£18 ticket in amphitheatre so am guessing it’s a sort of seat???) Just raced to buy without really researching as dare not buy the £135 dress circle I was so tempted by!!!

It’s tomorriw??? NooooOO! anyone have a spare ticket????

To add, that’s one name to strike from the ‘who might succeed Rojo as AD at ENB’ 😉

I’m relatively ‘new’ to being an NB fan as never seem able to make it to live performances (location/funding issues!) so it’s been cinema screenings I’ve watched....just adore the bold & stylistic narrative style & having always admired Bonelli as an actor as well as an amazing dancer - when been fortunate to see him dance live & on screen - it seems a perfect marriage! A very happy joining to build on the fantastic base established by David Nixon OBE & his Artistic/Business teams & dancers. Wishing all well with their future ventures!

I want to move to Leeds!!

Pups.Mum, sadly I fear you are exactly right in your assessment. 😢

How many families are still so heavily vested/invested in a recently qualified plumber young person & their ongoing career & worry about their health/injuries/short/mid/long term career opportunities & stability/plan B etc....??? And doubt they go watch them ‘perform’ in their role too!! (unless they are ‘tap dancers’ of course 🤣 Sorry folks...couldn’t resist!)

I think there are very many families facing these same dilemmas...best of luck to your DD & you in working out next steps. I think perhaps far more than in a usual year are facing these issues....Young grads seem to have so many hurdles to jump.... the shrinkage if the industry globally with the pandemic, Brexit reducing opportunities in EU countries & - dare I say this? - a cynical move by so called companies (& schools) to get parents to ‘subsidise’ their running costs by offering ‘jobs’ under such titles as pre-professional training/junior company/apprenticeship etc... these are more like a course or an internship & should be transparent in the marketing of these continued training roles. What I don’t get is why can’t there be government subsidised apprenticeships in UK ballet companies with part work part training; like is available in the gas engineering works for example? Apprenticeship degrees would be s worthwhile addition or rethink/rebrand of some of these offerings. I’m also saddened as I see one round of training leading onto another then another.... at what point do you decide enough of training? If a financially (ie. paid at a life sustaining level) viable job is not on offer or on a visible horizon, how does one decide to ‘move on’.... Its heart breaking but I guess that’s maybe more our problem as parents on sidelines? Perhaps the dancers themselves see it more as a release to enter a much wider world with far more opportunities & variety! And quite likely far more ££££ in earning potential too!

I should add that my last comment was not related to any one particular institution.... rather a general vibe about several gleaned from shared experiences

Hmmm.... interesting. I’ve womdered about this as I looked at how fab the contouring created a nice look from top gym brands.... but then I feel how strong the elastine properties are to do this & would indeed worry they’d restrict knee movements & don’t think I’d be happy doing ballet in them. I personally go for a pair of high dernier convertible ballet tights under a cheap pair of black leggings or a second pair of opaque black footless dance tights; I feel more supported & creates a better look than leggings alone I think but don’t feel restricted at all. good luck!

I hate to be the voice of doom & gloom but what is said at Open Day is not necessary going to be a true reflection of actual care once there...IMHO

Thanks Balletbean....was also wondering if it can be completed via an element of ‘home schooling’ or any distance learning?

Does anyone have experience of transferring between Trinity Diploma providers or even completing online/direct with Trinity? Can’t find any relevant info on website or contact a human there!

Thought it would be just the latest/highest grade..... if the former then my DC wouid have ucas points in abundance despite no A Levels.! ... sadly no desire to go to Uni as yet though, but hope that if they have a later in life change of mind then the vocational exam UCAS points combined with being a mature student with life experience could Hekp facilitate joining onto sone degree courses! !