SplitSoul

Ticket priced were a fraction of ENB/Northern etc. Having reflected on it for a few days, my overall impression was that the performers all just seemed so unhealthy. We were in the front row, so v close up. I think the touring means they lead massively unhealthy life styles, they are probably underpaid and exhausted. I feel for them, I really do. I would rather pay more for a ticket and have healthier performers. But sadly, ballet already prices out poorer people and I think these cheaper events (even if lower quailty) are really important. There were a few people I spoke to on the night and it was their first time at the ballet, they thought it was magical. Shame they didn't get to see better quality, but in the end, they wouldn't have come to a more expensive show and wouldn't have seen any ballet in that case. Looking forward to hearing others' feedback from other MCB events.

I saw Swan Lake in Birmingham tonight performed by the MCB. I am not a ballet expert, having only recently got into it through my 8 year old daughter. We have so far only seen ballets performed by BRB, so that's my benchmark (not a bad one, I suspect). 1. The orchestra was appalling. Out of time, ropey, out of tune. The flute fluffed up so many entries. The music was played in quite a flat way. Some of the tremendous climaxes where completely wasted. 2. The dancers' entries were almost all out of time, possibly because the orchestra didn't settle into the tempi, but also just bad timing from the dancers. 3. The troupe seemed tired, lacklustre and at times bored. Hardly any smiles. 4. Odette was clearly talented, but so skinny I was put off by it. A skeleton covered with skin. The only bulge was on her calf muscles. 5. Some of the corps were clearly not up to it. They seemed to not know the steps and be copying others. Something I have only ever seen in my daughter's end of term ballet recitals. 6. Too many wobbly arabesques, poor landings and general missteps. 7. Someone was speaking very loudly in the wings in Russian. It rather spoilt the Prince and Odette's pas de deux. Also happened in the overture. It was in Symphony Hall, not normally a theatre, so may well be OK in the wings normally, but not here. What I did like: Costumes were fab. Choreography was really effective. Some amazing moments from Odette and the Prince. Overall pretty disappointing, but then again, I was in a way just pleased to get out and see something that wasn't cancelled.

We were booked for the matinee today. Gutted it's not going ahead. Really feel for the company and dancers.

I moved to the UK for uni from abroad. I am English, and was a confident 18 year old. I did not expect to be as homesick as I was!!! But I would say after 2 terms, I had adjusted and loved it. Guess I am just saying that you might get more homesick than you expect, but that it will pass. In those days there was no face time, I didn't have a mobile and emails had only just come in, so I had hardly any contact with my family and friends. That's obvs quite different these days!

Thank you, that sounds very nice and gentle.

https://www.londonchildrensballet.com/training/christmas-masterclass/ Anyone else going to this? It's my DD's first experience outside her ballet school. She is 8. What to expect?

Oh no, I didn't mean to offend! It can be a thoughtful gift, of course.

I try to avoid alcohol. I don't drink much myself and find it a "lazy" gift. Don't get me wrong, I sometimes resort to giving a bottle because I can't think of anything better and in the case of one friend, she genuinely is into weird and wonderful gins, so I do get her a bottle! The idea with this gift is partly to compensate the teacher for all the extra lesson time that she doesn't/won't charge me for. So I feel like a voucher comes close enough to payment but without insulting her. Thanks everyone for taking the time to read and reply!

Love your stuff!!!!

Thank you so much everyone for the great tips!

Hi everyone My DD's dance teacher has been totally amazing, and her private lessons always overrun and she never charges extra. I want to get her a nice Xmas present as a thank you. If you are a teacher, would you like a voucher for dancewear? Or do you have your favourite cosy stuff and don't want anything too fancy/expensive? What shop does nice stuff that teachers would want to wear? She normally wears leggings and a tight top and she has a separate see through skirt thing she sometimes puts on. I noticed her ballet shoes have a hole in. Or should I just do John Lewis? TIA

I am just wondering what people think. Will there be: a) more applicants for JA (or whatever level) this year, because covid caused a backlog OR b) fewer applicants because covid has caused kids to lose interest/not progress/lose fitness etc?

Thanks for all the comments. My DD is super keen, I am just minded to let her follow her interest in dance but not to let her get swallowed up by it. She has many other interests and hobbies (music, to name one) and also needs time just to play!

What country are you in, if you don't mind me asking?

This is very interesting. My DD does show work as well as grade exams - usually 6 months of one and 6 of the other, although when preparing for shows they also do technique work which includes some improv.

Oh bless you!

Thank you @CMCBallet, very interesting links and thoughts!

Wow! That is amazing commitment and achievement. 4.5 hours of music lessons as in instrumental lessons? That's a lot, specially with music practice between lessons.

Completely agree about reading! She does that a lot already, as she is in afterschool care every day until 6pm. An aside, I have been really shocked that the library in school has been closed for corona, and bringing in books from home into the class room has been forbidden. There are books knocking around the afterachool club, but it's not a great selection. Bonkers! Fingers crossed all these daft rules are abandoned from Sept onwards!

The cheerleading is an afterschool club. It's either that or sitting around colouring in the wrap around room. So she does it for fitness and lack of anything better to do. I am no great fan of cheerleading, nor is she! They don't do any risky moves, just marching and jumping around. They don't even have pom poms! She doesn't enjoy it all that much, but it's not taking up any time she could otherwise be doing ballet, and it does have some fitness value and vague relationship to dance (like memorising routine, moving in time). So for a private lesson, would you say 30 mins, 45 mins or 1h? It's a lot more intense 1:1, I think.

Thanks everyone for responses. The teacher has offered her to join the class above and also a private lesson, so will say yes to that. The teacher says she has potential, to my amateur eye, she looks very "balletic" when she dances. Thanks for tips on schemes, I will look those up!

My DD is 7.5 and obsessed with ballet and any kind of dancing. She presently only does 30 mins of ballet a week in a Grade 1 class. She also does 30 mins each of tap and jazz, and 45 mins of what is described as "cheerleeding" but according to my DD is more like random jumping around. She also does a gym class. She will add a 30 min Grade 2 class from Sept. She is really keen to audition for a junior associate position. Is this enough? She wants a private ballet lesson in addition (30 mins). Is that too much? Not enough? I know they don't judge on technique etc but I can't help but think that it does come I to it somehow.