Blossom

I knew the date rang a bell...

The Royal Ballet: The Genius of Kenneth Macmillan, Ivy House Music and Dance at JW3, 19 February, 2.30pm Forty years ago Sir Kenneth MacMillan became The Royal Ballet’s principal choreographer, leaving a legacy of landmark works which have moved and delighted audiences worldwide. Ballet Master of The Royal Ballet, Ricardo Cervera, with dance writer Gerald Dowler, explores aspects of MacMillan’s glorious choreography within The Royal Ballet’s repertoire. This exceptional afternoon will feature a Royal Ballet soloist dancing a variety of works highlighting MacMillan’s lasting creativity. Venue: JW3 which is a 7 min walk from Finchley Road tube station, no more than 5 mins from Finchley Road and Frognal overground. There's a lovely cafe, bar and restaurant just outside the theatre at the venue. Cost: £22

The Classics: Would add Paquita, La Sylphide 20th Century Classics would include Fille (as this is the definitive version), Mayerling...

Simply wonderful, wish there was more programming like this on BBC4 or Sky Arts. Loved the archive footage, especially that of 'Ballet Class' and was also lovely to see how he works in studio rehearsals.

Having had ballet on the backburner while having young children and lacking the freedom to spend time in the theatre until the past year or so, I was delighted to find the forum. I may not be as well informed or eloquent as some of the long standing members but I adore having a place to read up on recent performances and catch up on news. The forum also helps fill the grandma-shaped hole in my ballet world. I don't have any real world friends who take an interest in the ballet beyond Nutcracker at Christmas and while I am nurturing my young daughters' appreciation (and an adult or 2) it's wonderful to feel a part of an ongoing ballet conversation. Thank you Sim and to all of the moderators.

Really enjoyed the Nutcracker today. Lovely to see things from the students' perspectives in terms of the magic of performing at the ROH and having read a few of your comments prior to watching, was pretty happy to watch 'the Frankie Hayward show'. She is such a charming dancer and personality and really enjoyed watching the dynamics off stage with partner Campbell. I actually think it was lovely to have focus on a single SPF, especially one new to the role, which from the Beeb's perspective made a great story.

Loved Darcey Bussell: My Life on the BBC. It was a lovely compilation and as bridiem said, I'd forgotten what it was about her as a dancer which I liked so much. At my parents' house sitting in the room where I remember watching her at the age of 11 on Going Live, made me feel so old. Made me want to pick up the phone to my grandma, (a balletomane who followed Darcey's career closely, to ask whether she'd watched it (she passed away recently). I remember watching the lovely Southbank Show about Darcey and Viviana Durante with her which must have been at some point in the early 90s. Much preferred this to the Margot Fonteyn programme and a wonderful celebration of her career. Shame they didn't show anything from the programme where she tried all of the different Hollywood dancing - loved the Singin' in the Rain 'Good Morning' routine.

Love the photos, really beautiful and now can't wait even more to see it in January. Already so excited for the show as it was such a much loved movie for my grandma - after seeing it with her best friend when it first came out, they ducked down in their seats as one lot of people went out and the next came in, I think they watched it 3 times back to back. She would have loved to have seen it.

Thanks Floss for all your thoughts. Not been to a Ballet Association event before but as I can see the venue from my office i will definitely investigate to see how the events compare to the others I have attended - but not just in the name of research!

Floss, a lot to think about. I think one of the things I would do, if I was coming up with an 'original' programme, would be to look at how to differently engage with younger ballet fans, or even bringing in families and nurturing a programme from there. There's a huge opportunity for what my children's school calls 'cultural enrichment' (which is a whole other project I hope to get involved in), even for teens who take ballet classes but might prefer a cosier, more intimate environment. It's worth bearing in mind that to maintain funding for ballet at large, the donors of the future need to have that personal connection. Selfishly, I am just greedy for more Ivy House events and I do think more 'young' people (I am in my mid 30s and have taken people around the same age) could be engaged with the right marketing/targeting, of course if funding could be sourced.

This from the CEO of the programme's new home - the simple fact is that for the past 8 or 9 years, this series was sponsored by a small foundation that covered the biggest cost of each event, i.e. the performers’ fees. And we were informed only a few months ago that this foundation has been spending down its money, and will have nothing left from early 2017.

I mentioned in the ROH Insights thread that a programme I have been attending - Ivy House Music and Dance (which used to run in the building formerly Pavlova's home hence the name) - is no longer going to be running in its current guise. Having investigated a bit, it seems that the trust which funds the events (largely paying for talent) is almost obsolete. It's a unique programme and gives access to some excellent and intimate ballet focussed events which I can't bear to think would no longer continue simply because of funding. While they obviously cater to the ballet enthusiast, I have found that at their new venue, they have actually reached out to a broader audience. I've always taken ballet novices along with me and always with resounding success. Previous events have included tributes to John Cranko and Margot Fonteyn, with biographies provided by Gerald Dowler (Dancing Times) and then workshops run with Royal Ballet students and a coach - I've seen Brenda Last coaching a RB corps dancer and Donald MacLeary coaching a RBS student. Sir Peter Wright and Clement Crisp have also contributed to such events. The latest event was an interview with Federico Bonelli, followed by him coaching David Donnelly who had rushed fresh from the stage at Covent Garden and then working through the Grand Pas from Nutcracker with his wife. Essentially, they are pretty star studded for the ballet world and are wonderfully insightful and I really believe that they pay an important part in maintaining and building a ballet audience for the future. The only challenge I see is that I am usually the youngest person there and I would love to bring in a bit of a younger audience. That aside, my ask is this - how can I secure funding to ensure that the dance element of this programme continues? I am in conversation with the organisation who have housed Ivy House Music and Dance for the past 18 months and I plan to find out what sort of costs they are looking at to run each event. I imagine the ticket cost covers the use of the theatre but nothing else and I currently have no idea what it would cost for approx 2.5 hours of talent. In the short term, I suppose single event sponsorship is a way forward, but it isn't future proof. Short of trying to make contact with the sponsors listed in the back of RB and ENB programmes I am at a bit of a loss... Finally, most organisations strive not just to entertain, but to bring in some cash to support talent - for example the wonderful work the London Ballet Circle does. I imagine a challenge in getting funding could be the limitations of the current objectives of the programme which inspires and excites but doesn't specifically raise money for the arts. Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

I find the same. It's really frustrating. At the same time, the alternative programme I go to (Ivy House Music and Dance) is about to seemingly shut down. Are there any other options around (other than TLBC as their events are always on a Monday and clash with other commitments I have).

I agree all too much with opinions on Nutcracker having lost its appeal... Seeing ENB with my daughters this year as I have completely exhausted the Royal Ballet version. I am looking forward to watching them enjoy it, especially my little one who is just getting into ballet. They will also be enjoying a workshop on the Coliseum stage- love that ENB are doing this - which will have them completely in awe and will add a new dimension for me. I thought I was just a bit of a Scrooge so glad to hear it's not just me!!

It was useful having everyone's synopses before going - it really was hard to follow the story, particularly in the first half. I agree with the comment about the corps de ballet, although beautiful, they didn't seem to keep in perfect unison when they should have. I particularly enjoyed the second act over the first and loved the staging of the ending with the 'wedding' scene and the petals falling. It was so visually stunning.

Looking forward to seeing this on Saturday night - it was a must see after reading Li Cunxin's autbiography in which this was portrayed as one of the key ballets to be created in China. Can't say I remember what the story is so must read up beforehand. If anyone has the time to share a brief synopsis, would be much appreciated. The photos above are beautiful.

I perhaps wonder if the experts are really experts at all... Unless they have a big surprise up their sleeves, I just don't see how they could be spending so much based on what they are actually doing (not just on TV) unless they are counting their instore promotions etc..

Manchester wise, we love the local National Trust places which are great for all the family. Strictly Cheshire not Manchester but my family live North of the town centre but when we visit it takes less time to get to these places than it does to travel into central London from the suburbs... Dunham Massey has lots of kids activities, actors pretending to be staff in the house, beautiful deer park and the deer come so close to you... Also love Tatton Park for the playground, farm and Ronald Dahl themed activities.

Fiz, this is brilliant, due to be in Lincolnshire next summer for a week so you have helped with the things to do!! I heard there is a pony sanctuary near there too, is it worth a visit with kids?

Thanks Anna C. Yes the internet is a bit of a mystery to them - although even I find the quality of ballet content on you tube pretty phenomenal.

Thanks all for your suggestions and kind words. Cakes are a lovely idea, especially as my sister used to run a cupcake business and still makes the most amazing things!!

Have had some bad news this week that my grandma is terminally ill - diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and nothing they can do. She is the person who brought ballet into my life beyond taking ballet classes. When I was growing up in Manchester, we used to see everything which came to Manchester theatres and since moving to London, I taunt her share all of the performances I go to here, almost taking advantage of the opportunities on her behalf. Ballet is our special bond, ontop of everything else she is and has done as my grandma. I am going up to spend some time with her next week and essentially will be spending all the time I see her at her house. Other than taking up a collection of DVDs to watch together, including a favourite of mine which I didn't get to share last time I went up with the family, any ideas for something lovely and ballet themed we could do? I want to take her mind off everything and also have lasting memories for me.

Sushi and sticks on Henrietta Street - not all sushi, worth checking out the menu. They can do speedy...

Not eaten there in quite a while, but I'd recommend The Gate - a vegetarian restaurant but a very innovative menu...About a 2 minute walk from the theatre.

I remember doing the exercise with hands on shoulders - and I don't think I am so old!!