bridiem

Oh dear!

I think that if the ROH issues a long-awaited public statement about an investigation into one of its leading choreographers, it's entirely justified to discuss it on this forum and raise any questions. However I do agree that because the statement has been issued at this incredibly difficult time there will be no answers at the moment and so further discussion is likely to be fruitless. (And perhaps there will never be answers that will come into the public domain. Time will tell.)

But since nothing at all has been said about why the ROH (or indeed the RBS) will not work with him again, how is anyone supposed to know how we should think about him, or about Swan Lake?

But doesn't it leave other companies not knowing whether they want to work with him or not? Are they going to base their decisions on rumour now? Very unsatisfactory, for all concerned.

I don't understand. And there really is no point issuing a statement that raises more questions than it answers.

Yes - that must be so helpful to them, both physically and psychologically. They clearly miss each other! As we miss them.

I had heard nothing from HMV Curzon about the cancellation of the live screening of Swan Lake on 1st April. Going to their website today, I see that (of course) the cinema is closed, and their head office is too. Their online statement about the closure says nothing about people who have booked for screenings in advance. Does anyone else know what is happening about these cancellations (i.e. in respect of refunds)?

Never have hands been washed so beautifully!

Who is it?!

Brilliant! I haven't seen that for years. Miss Piggy is really rather good. (Oh and her partner's not bad either.)

I think he needs to attend Tamara Rojo's class tomorrow morning... (the dog, that is, not Anthony Dowell).

Yes - Tamara Rojo gave a class via the ENB Facebook page, and it's still on their YouTube channel. It was excellent!

I kicked a chair and a speaker and I nearly slipped on my pile of cancelled ballet tickets... Class is a risky business.

Tamara Rojo's class was brilliant! I had my last ballet lesson when I was 6, nearly 54 years ago, but I decided to turn my chair round to use it as a barre and I used the few square inches around me to stretch, point and bend (bearing no resemblance whatsoever to what I was seeing on screen, but in my head I was Tamara Rojo) until I had to sit down again (which didn't take long). For real dancers, this must have been wonderful.

Just tried mine - it would actually be fine. Just no space to swing a leg!! (Not that I generally do so anyway, you understand. Can't even plié...).

And very well she did too! She spoke about the need for the dancers to keep in shape, since they will very quickly lose muscle tone and get stiff, and to adapt to not having the constant routine they normally have, and not performing to large audiences. She's set herself a daily routine of breakfast, studying, training etc - the aim being to ensure that she doesn't spend all day on the sofa! She's discovered that her kitchen counters are the ideal height for a ballet barre...

Yasmine Naghdi has posted that she's talking on the Today programme on Radio 4 at 8.15am today.

The dancers' Instagram accounts are providing welcome light relief! e.g. Yasmine Naghdi taking 'class' in her kitchen, Alexander Campbell skipping in his back garden, Vadim Muntagirov dancing in his living room...

I see that 'pre19April' appears in the link, so I imagine they wouldn't want people applying for refunds for later performances (yet). (And assuming more performances are cancelled, it could perhaps allow them to adapt their processes at that stage to incorporate what they're learning from this process.)

It's generic, with the link in an email. I don't know if this will work but this is the link: https://www.roh.org.uk/covid19tickets?utm_source=wordfly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2020_March_Cancellation_Bookers_Pre19April&utm_content=version_A&emailsource=49863

Yes, that was how I watched it. I'm sure it won't be shown on TV again - far too damning!

Yes, Ballet Hoo! was terrific. I recently watched all the episodes of The House online, after being reminded of it on this forum. It was quite gobsmacking! Also gripping.

Well when you get the confirmation email, the wording is a bit different depending on which option you've checked - the refund one says 'it may take a bit longer than usual to reach your account' or some such, and the credit one says 'we will be back in touch once the process has been completed'. Haven't donated yet so don't know about that wording.

I've received this email from ENB: As you are aware, this week the Government issued new advice and guidance with regards to the ongoing developments around Coronavirus Covid-19, which resulted in the temporary closure of many venues, theatres and buildings. Immediately following, ENB’s Executive Team met to discuss how this impacts our working for the immediate future. Our focus has been and continues to be on the health, safety and wellbeing of our staff, audiences and supporters, and it is with great sadness that I’m writing you today with a few important updates: Upcoming Performances Sadler’s Wells (including the Peacock Theatre) have confirmed that they will close for 12 weeks. Sadly, we will not be able to perform Creature by Akram Khan or My First Ballet: Cinderella in April as planned. London City Island ENB’s London City Island building is closed to the general public and sadly we will not be able to offer any events or access until further notice. Events, including Working Stage Rehearsal and Company Class Events surrounding Creature, due to take place at Sadler’s Wells, will no longer take place. If you have purchased tickets for any of these events or performances for Creature via the Development office, you can: · Claim a refund · Credit your account with the amount paid, to be claimed at a later date for another performance. Performances of Creature at Sadler’s Wells in November will go on sale shortly · Choose to donate the cost of your ticket to ENB Your support We have deeply appreciated the many warm wishes and expressions of empathy and care that we have received in the past few days. We take comfort in the encouragement of our friends and supporters. As a charity, we rely on your support now more than ever. Ticket sales provide substantial revenue funding, contributing a third of our annual income. There are substantial financial implications to postponements in our programme that impact our future work. We are working hard to find ways to navigate the impact of this period of uncertainty, and any donation, large or small, will help provide security and clarity, in the short-term, during these uncertain times. Please donate. Please contact Louisa or Imogen on the details below to discuss a refund or to donate. Imogen imogen.davies@ballet.org.uk 0207 590 2950. Louisa louisa.wood@ballet.org.uk 0207 590 2951

The Eurovision Song Contest has been cancelled. Every cloud...