BALLET ASSOCIATION

Just a reminder that Edward Watson will be the guest of The Ballet Association this coming Monday (5th December). Full details are above.

The Ballet Association's next guest will be EDWARD WATSON who retired as an RB dancer last autumn after 27 years with The Royal Ballet but has been working as an RB Repetiteur since 2020 and is still appearing on stage occasionally in Galas at home and abroad. It's 11 years since Edward last spoke to the Association so there is a lot of catching up to do! This is an 'in person' event and Edward will be 'on' after the Associations's AGM. Date: Monday 5th December 2022 Time: 7.30pm Admission at the venue is: £5.00 for ordinary members; £4.00 for concessionary members and £9.00 for non members. Non members should please join after the AGM - there will be a short pause!!!!! The online charges are: £5.50 for Members; £4.50 for Concessionary Members; £10.00 for Non Members (i.e. slightly higher to cover the processing costs). To book in advance, please go to: https://balletassociation.co.uk/collections/meetings-2022 If you pay via the website, please keep your receipt as proof of payment to show on arrival.

Sooooooooooo sorry everyone. Annette is talking to the Ballet Association on Monday 14th November.

Just bumping up that RB Soloist Annette Buvoli will be talking to members and guests on Monday, 10th November. Full details are above.

I believe that James is 'in', which is super.

The Ballet Association's next guest will be ANNETTE BUVOLI**, another newly -promoted Royal Ballet Soloist. Annette has a long history with The Ballet Association as she was a recipient of one of our awards while at The Royal Ballet School. So she spoke to us then (2013), and again via Zoom in 2020. Currently, she is cast as Empress Elizabeth in Mayerling This is an 'in person' event. Date: Monday 14th November 2022 Time: 7.30pm Place: The American International Church , 79a Tottenham Court Road. [Turn left as you come out of Goodge Street Station and the Church is ahead of you on the left. Go past the building itself and walk down its right hand side to find the entrance.] Admission at the venue is: £5.00 for ordinary members; £4.00 for concessionary members and £9.00 for non members. The online charges are: £5.50 for Members; £4.50 for Concessionary Members; £10.00 for Non Members (i.e. slightly higher to cover the processing costs). To book in advance, please go to: https://balletassociation.co.uk/collections/meetings-2022 If you pay via the website, please keep your receipt as proof of payment to show on arrival and please check in at the desk on entry. [** Annette replaces Principal Sarah Lamb.]

Today (26th October) nearly 100 members of The Ballet Association had the privileged opportunity to watch two Royal Ballet rehearsals in the Clore Studio. This represented a return to pre-pandemic arrangements whereby the BA receives an annual invitation. After a welcome from Kevin O'Hare, the first of the treats was experiencing Christopher Saunders working with Marianela Nunez and Reece Clarke on Diamonds, where they will be one of the lead couples. The next hour was taken up with Valentino Zuchetti creating and rehearsing his new ballet with Francesca Hayward, Fumi Kaneko, Mayara Magri and Yasmine Naghdi for the same Diamond Celebration programme in November. It was a fabulous two hours - a real peep behind the scenes - in the margins of which members shared their impressions of recent performances, including Light of Passage and, especially, Vadim Muntagirov's sensational debut as Rudolf in Mayerling the Friday before.

Reports on most of the interviews from 2022 have recently been put up online: https://www.ballet association.co.uk. Click reports and 2022. The talk by Ricardo Cervera and students will appear but the names of other guests are listed above that report. These include: Kevin O'Hare Johanna Adams Farley (Senior Stage Manager) [a highly recommended read] Mayara Magri William Bracewell Cesar Corrales Luca Acri Gina Storm Jensen Mica Bradbury and Lukas BB The next meeting will be on the 14th November with Principal Sarah Lamb. Edward Watson will be the guest on the 5th December following the AGM.

Following requests from forum members, here is a quick reminder that STEVEN McRAE will be talking to The Ballet Association on Monday, 10th October. Please see details immediately above.

The Ballet Association's next guest, STEVEN MCRAE will be joining us only three days after his latest performance as Rudolf in Mayerling. Steven last spoke to the Association in 2015 so there is much catching up to do, including his recovery from serious injury This is an 'in person' event. Date: Monday 10th October 2022 Time: 7.30pm Place: The American International Church , 79a Tottenham Court Road. [Turn left as you come out of Goodge Street Station and the Church is ahead of you on the left. Go past the building itself and walk down its right hand side to find the entrance.] Admission at the venue is: £5.00 for ordinary members; £4.00 for concessionary members and £9.00 for non members. The online charges are: £5.50 for Members; £4.50 for Concessionary Members; £10.00 for Non Members (i.e. slightly higher to cover the processing costs). To book in advance, please go to: https://balletassociation.co.uk/collections/meetings-2022 If you pay via the website, please keep your receipt as proof of payment to show on arrival and please check in at the desk on entry.

Hello Balletmediauk. This, and most other Ballet Association events are live 'in person'. However, reports are usually published on the BA website shortly afterwards: https://www.balletassociation.co.uk LinMM - if you are a BA Member, you will have received notice of this event in the recent newsletter which issued on the 1st September. The notices on BCF seem to work best when they are posted less than a week before a 'talk' as, otherwise, people tend to say that they forgot! Maybe we should post twice................

The Ballet Association's next guests will be two of The Royal Ballet's newly promoted soloists, LETICIA DIAS and MARIKO SASAKI. Interestingly, both Leticia and Mariko graduated firstly into Birmingham Royal Ballet before 'transferring' to the RB. Of course, both featured prominently in Valentino Zucchetti's award-winning ballet Anemoi. So it will be especially interesting to hear about their seemingly parallel careers. This is an 'in person' event. Date: Monday 26th September 2022 Time: 7.30pm Place: Place: The American International Church , 79a Tottenham Court Road. [Turn left as you come out of Goodge Street Station and the Church is ahead of you on the left. Go past the building itself and walk down its right hand side to find the entrance.] Admission at the venue is: £5.00 for ordinary members; £4.00 for concessionary members and £9.00 for non members. The online charges are: £5.50 for Members; £4.50 for Concessionary Members; £10.00 for Non Members (i.e. slightly higher to cover the processing costs). To book in advance, please go to: https://balletassociation.co.uk/collections/meetings-2022 If you pay via the website, please keep your receipt as proof of payment to show on arrival and please check in at the desk on entry.

Unfortunately, EDWARD WATSON has had to pull out of his talk on Thursday at short notice for work reasons. Another date will be found later in the season and any online bookings will be honoured then.

The Ballet Association's next guest will be EDWARD WATSON who retired as a dancer last autumn after 27 years with The Royal Ballet but has been working as an RB Repetiteur since 2020. It's 11 years since Edward last spoke to the Association so there is a lot of catching up to do! This is an 'in person' event. Date: Thursday 8th September 2022 Time: 7.30pm Place: The Royal Ballet School, Floral Street, Covent Garden. PLEASE DO NOT ARRIVE BEFORE 7.00PM. Admission at the venue is: £5.00 for ordinary members; £4.00 for concessionary members and £9.00 for non members. The online charges are: £5.50 for Members; £4.50 for Concessionary Members; £10.00 for Non Members (i.e. slightly higher to cover the processing costs). To book in advance, please go to: https://balletassociation.co.uk/collections/meetings-2022 If you pay via the website, please keep your receipt as proof of payment to show on arrival.

So glad that people enjoyed William - he is certainly a star talker as well as a wonderful dancer. Unfortunately, there is no recording; but a full written report on the evening will be posted on the BA website as soon as possible.

The Ballet Association's next guest will be WILLIAM BRACEWELL whose promotion to Principal of The Royal Ballet was announced recently. Since William spoke to the BA in 2018, he has been cast in numerous leading roles. So there is a lot to catch up on! This is an 'in person' event. Date: Thursday 25th August Time: 7.30pm Place: The American International Church , 79a Tottenham Court Road. [Turn left as you come out of Goodge Street Station and the Church is ahead of you on the left. Go past the building itself and walk down its right hand side to find the entrance.] Admission at the venue costs: £5.00 for ordinary members; £4.00 for concessionary members and £9.00 for non members. The online charges are: £5.50 for Members; £4.50 for Concessionary Members; £10.00 for Non Members (i.e. slightly higher to cover the processing costs). To book in advance, please go to: https://www.balletassociation.co.uk and click on the photo of William NEXT UP: EDWARD WATSON MBE ON THE 8TH SEPTEMBER...............

Last night, members of The Ballet Association enjoyed their Annual Dinner at the Chesterfield Hotel alongside some 30 guests from The Royal Ballet Companies, The Royal Ballet School and Elmhurst. Although she was unable to attend through illness, Tierney Heap's career and retirement was celebrated with a round of applause. Nehemiah Kish's contribution as an RB Principal was acknowledged alongside that of Hikaru Kobayashi, the former RB First Soloist. Mention was also made of Jeanetta Lawrence's appointment as Chair of The Ashton Foundation. Then, those present applauded Federico Bonelli for his stellar career with the RB and on his appointment as Artistic Director of Northern Ballet. The evening ended with words of thanks to the Association from the Director of The Royal Ballet, Kevin O'Hare and a note that, in September, members would be able to watch a Royal Ballet studio rehearsal at the ROH.

Congratulations to the following Royal Ballet dancers or associates who were laureates at the 22nd National Dance Awards: Best Female Dancer: Marianela Nunez Best Male Dancer: Edward Watson Outstanding Female Classical Performance: Natalia Osipova Outstanding Creative Contribution: Thomas Ades Best Classical Choreography: Valentino Zucchetti * * This award is sponsored by The Ballet Association

As mentioned by Alison, tonight's guest at The Ballet Association will be LUCA ACRI, First Soloist of The Royal Ballet This is an 'in person' event. Date: Thursday 16th June 2022 Time: 7.30pm Place: The American International Church , 79a Tottenham Court Road. [Turn left as you come out of Goodge Street Station and the Church is ahead of you on the left. Go past the building itself and walk down its right hand side to find the entrance.] [ Unfortunately, William Bracewell has had to withdraw for personal reasons and we are very grateful to Luca for being willing to step in. ]

The Ballet Association's next guest will be WILLIAM BRACEWELL whose promotion to Principal of The Royal Ballet was announced recently. Since William spoke to the BA in 2018, he has been cast in numerous leading roles and, of course, he is currently dancing Dr John Brown in Like Water for Chocolate. So there is a lot to catch up on! This is an 'in person' event. Date: Thursday 16th June 2022 Time: 7.30pm Place: The American International Church , 79a Tottenham Court Road. [Turn left as you come out of Goodge Street Station and the Church is ahead of you on the left. Go past the building itself and walk down its right hand side to find the entrance.] Admission at the venue costs: £5.00 for ordinary members; £4.00 for concessionary members and £9.00 for non members. The online charges are: £5.50 for Members; £4.50 for Concessionary Members; £10.00 for Non Members (i.e. slightly higher to cover the processing costs). To book in advance, please go to: https://balletassociation.co.uk/collections/meetings-2022 If you pay via the website, please keep your receipt as proof of payment to show on arrival.

The Ballet Association's next guest will be Mayara Magri. Mayara spoke to the Association via Zoom alongside Matthew Ball during the pandemic but this was before she was promoted to Principal of The Royal Ballet and made her debut in a number of iconic roles. This is an 'in person' event. Date: Thursday 26th May 2022 Time: 7.30pm Place: The American International Church , 79a Tottenham Court Road. [Turn left as you come out of Goodge Street Station and the Church is ahead of you on the left. Go past the building itself and walk down its right hand side to find the entrance.] Admission at the venue costs: £5.00 for ordinary members; £4.00 for concessionary members and £9.00 for non members. The online charges are: £5.50 for Members; £4.50 for Concessionary Members; £10.00 for Non Members (i.e. slightly higher to cover the processing costs). To book in advance, please go to: https://balletassociation.co.uk/products/thu-26-may-2022. If you pay via the website, please keep your receipt as proof of payment to show on arrival.

The Ballet Association's next guest will be KEVIN O'HARE, DIRECTOR of THE ROYAL BALLET. This is an 'in person' event. Date: Monday 9th May 2022 Time: 7.30pm Place: The American International Church , 79a Tottenham Court Road. [Turn left as you come out of Goodge Street Station and the Church is ahead of you on the left. Go past the building itself and walk down its right hand side to find the entrance.] Admission at the venue costs: £5.00 for ordinary members; £4.00 for concessionary members and £9.00 for non members. The online charges are: £5.50 for Members; £4.50 for Concessionary Members; £10.00 for Non Members (i.e. slightly higher to cover the processing costs). To book in advance, please go to: https://balletassociation.co.uk/collections/meetings-2022 (scroll down). If you pay via the website, please keep your receipt for proof of payment when you arrive.

On the 15th March, The Ballet Association will welcome former First Soloist of The Royal Ballet Ricardo Cervera, who is now a teacher at The Royal Ballet School, and two of the student recipients of this year's Association awards: Meg Newton and Francesco Venturi. The third recipient, Frieda Kaden, is currently touring with Birmingham Royal Ballet in Don Quixote. These annual sessions with students are often among the most interesting in the BA's calendar and provide an opportunity to become acquainted with young dancers on the cusp of their professional careers. This is an 'in person' event. Date: 15th March 2022 Time: 7.30pm Place: The American International Church , 79a Tottenham Court Road. [Turn left as you come out of Goodge Street Station and the Church is ahead of you on the left. Go past the building itself and walk down its right hand side to find the entrance.] Admission at the venue costs: £5.00 for ordinary members; £4.00 for concessionary members and £9.00 for non members. The online charges are: £5.50 for Members; £4.50 for Concessionary Members; £10.00 for Non Members (i.e. slightly higher to cover the processing costs). To book in advance, please go to: https://balletassociation.co.uk/collections/meetings-2022 If you pay via the website, please keep your receipt for proof of payment when you arrive.

Just wanting to make sure that forum members have not forgotten that Cesar Corrales, Principal of The Royal Ballet will be the guest of The Ballet Association on Monday, 14th February. Full details of the venue are above. To book online, please go to: https://balletassociation.co.uk/products/mon-14-feb-2022 not via the link posted originally.

We are sorry, you missed the conversation with Gina Storm Jensen, Alison. The dates of upcoming talks are published to Members in the Newsletter, thus affording them the earliest possible opportunity to make a note in their diaries. The notifications on BCF are largely in order to alert non Members as to what is coming up.