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My dd has a place on this course in February and is really looking forward to it. Does anyone have any past experience or is anyone going this year? Also, looking at the map it seems that Fulham Broadway is the closest tube. Is it far from there, I am thinking about 10 minutes walk? And the final question, are there coffee shops close by as she likes to flop in one at the end of a dancing day? Thank you all.

Congratulations to your dd pupsmum, that's wonderful news. What an achievement! Xx My dd just had her Intermediate result, and she is ecstatic with a distinction. Hasn't come down to earth yet.

My dd did Central's Easter course last year and thoroughly enjoyed it.

We are going to Bristol on Saturday, very much looking forward to it.

Does anybody have experience of this?

Thursday too!!!!

Feeling a bit star struck as I am fairly certain I saw Ronnie Wood in Bath this week. I did a double take as I walked past, and nearly said "hey you're the guy who does those amazing paintings..." So perhaps its just as well I didn't speak up. There is a gallery in Bath that exhibits his art so I suppose its possible. Anyway, even if it wasn't him I am going to love telling this story

Sorry spanner, I don't understand why that didn't show as a quote from your post.

Reflexology is a lovely treat if you can find a good Reflexologist. Our one cleans the feet with Witch Hazel prior to treatment and lotion afterwards is optional. Very relaxing. I like the sound of this, must investigate locally.

Can anyone suggest some feet treats for tired dancers feet that will pamper and beautify them now that the sandal season is upon us? I have read somewhere that they shouldn't use moisturiser as that softens the feet too much-okay on the heels though I presume? Any suggestions and remedies appreciated.

She is amazing but...I can't quite pit my finger on it. For me, she looks too polished, as if she is dancing as she has been taught, not as she feels. Hope that doesn't sound too mean.

We'll, having had the tickets for what must be months and months, we at last went to see this production yesterday. And it was so worth the wait. To be honest, we were all a little disappointed with the first half, feeling it took a bit of time to warm up. With the exception of the amazing dance and chemistry between the prince and the queen, we felt we were missing the dancing that we were expecting. It just looked a bit static. Our last Matthew Bourne production was Sleeping Beauty, and at this point Swan Lake was lacking the beautiful original choreography that we were hoping for. But then the swans appeared in the park scene. I have to admit that for us, they absolutely stole the show! The second half blew us away. The dancing was so breath taking with its powerful sensuality, so frightening and threatening too, I think I went through a whole range of emotions that would take far too long for me to express in just one post. I am not very good at identifying faces from the programme but, looking at John Ross' wonderful photos on this thread I think the swan/stranger was Jonathan Ollivier. He had the most amazing presence and played the two roles with such emotion and strength. The prince was a perfect partner and their duet was a thing of beauty which brought tears to my eyes. Thumbs up from us too for the very clever set- loved the bit with the swans coming out from under the bed-and the fantastic lighting- the shadows mentioned in an earlier post added to the threatening and somewhat scaring atmosphere. All round an amazing theatrical experience. I wondered to myself this morning if I will ever again see dancing that so moved me in ways so unexpected and powerful..... We are indeed privileged to have people with the creativity and talent to expand the boundaries of dance. But I do hope too that the beautiful classical ballet with pointe and tutus will never leave us. Our next ballet, is ENB Coppelia in November. Another great I am sure.

Just wondering if any of you knowledgable people can answer this. Just out of interest, why do application forms ask you to list what ballet and contemporary level and grade you have reached, but rarely ask specifically about modern dance? Maybe some do? Is contemporary considered more useful? Or even more fashionable? I wonder if anyone feels that there is a particular merit to one rather than the other, especially if a young dancer is looking at a dance career?

I thought I would write a few thoughts on this just in case someone is searching for information in the future. My dd had a wonderful time! There were two groups, split according to age and experience. My dd was in the younger group; there were about 28 of them Everyday, they did ballet, with three days of pointe and one of Pilates. They had one session of musicality and then also jazz and contemporary sessions. She really enjoyed all of it, made a few friends and learned loads. Parents were welcome to watch the ballet and pointe class on the last day, which was extremely interesting and enjoyable. I thought the course was very well organised and we found the staff at Central extremely friendly and welcoming, as has been our experience in the past. We will definitely be looking at further Central courses in the future.

Thanks

We are just getting the bags packed. It may seem like a silly question, but don't they slip in socks?My dd has foot thongs she uses when she dances at school, which she will take. Will these be ok? If not, what kind of socks? We are studying the timetable and it all looks very exciting. But I can't help feeling a little nervous as she has not done one of these before. Having said that, my experience of Central has always been very positive so I am sure that all will be well. Are there any more Yellow group students out there?

I think my advice would always be, if they enjoy it, then do it. My own dd (still only 13)has never had any success in the numerous auditions she has done over the years, except for EYB (English Youth Ballet) which she loved. But she still loves her dance and still hopes that her opportunity will come in the future.She says herself that she has loved the many experiences she has had, and that the rejections have made her strong and resilient. Though as a mum at the time it was tough! Like your dd, her exam marks have been consistently high but this seems to have little importance when it comes to auditions. It's all about potential. Now, we try to stay realistic, acknowledge the very many talented young dancers out there, accept that there isn't employment or places for all of them, believe that if it is right for her then it will happen at the right time, and in the meantime take joy from watching someone you love do something they love.

There is also a nice Italian in the square itself, called something Melanzana , which is good. Always lots of families there and they were very happy for my dd and I to sit over a cuppa for ages. I had brunch in a wine bar virtually next door to RAD but I am not sure what their evening menu is like.The food was lovely and the staff extremely welcoming. Apparently the museum near chelsea barracks is very interesting, though never been myself. It's on the 170 bus route in Victoria direction. I am like you, I like to plan well in advance!

Thank you thebunhead. Can I ask if you have done this one before?

Hi all, My dd is looking forward to the Central Spring Course this holiday immensely. It's the first time she has done anything like this and I would like to treat her to some trendy accessories to help her on her way! What sort of things do your dds who reguarly attend summer schools etc find useful? And what have you bought that proved to be not really worth it? She is looking longingly at the woolly warm up shorts and jump suits and the Bloch warm up boots. I am wondering if the latter would be useful when moving from studio to studio? Apart from the leotards, tights etc what should I send her to wear for the contemporary, musicality and Pilates sessions? I would really appreciate your knowledgable thoughts. She is thirteen. Thanking you in advance!

My ballet lover mum is always fantastic at spotting these programmes and then letting me know, otherwise I would miss them all! My dd and I loved the Good Swan Bad Swan too, really fascinating. We like parts of Darcy's, but would have like to know who the dancers were in the various clips. It seemed that sometimes they were named and sometimes not.

I am going to see this in May with my two daughters. It's months and months since we booked the tickets, and it seemed ages off at the time. Reading this thread, I am getting well and truly excited! We loved both Nutcracker andSleeping Beauty.

I have dipped in and out of this thread. Just wanted to say thank you to Sky dancer for posting. It must have been an amazing experience that TV and camera can not always hope to give justice to.

My dd is thinking about applying for this but, with the deadline fast approaching, we are wondering if anyone has done any of their short courses. Are the dancers mostly older or is the age range mixed? Dd will be toward the younger end but at the required level. Many thanks in advance.

Well we have been to see this now and it was absolutely fantastic! The dancing and sets were amazing. My only criticism perhaps was that I would rather not have watched the final scenes through an obscuring curtain...not sure why they did that? My daughters loved it too, so it was definitely an excellent recommendation. An all round wonderful day. Thank you fellow ballet lovers.