Suffolkgal

I’ve managed to talk myself into drying on stage by worrying about it!

The much missed Lynn did include quite a lot about her weight in her autobiography, really interesting. Also I was thinking about Mukhamedov, Nureyev and Baryshnikov... very strong, quite stocky, in mukhamedov’s case really a big man. But unique and I actually moved to London in 1991 so as not to miss anything from him at RB. I do think ballet has perhaps gone down a very athletic, gymnastic, sylph-like route. But there were always slender men as well as heavier built ones! Oh I don’t know. Hopefully this controversy might bring a happier future for our young people.

One of the slebs is Brian cox and he looks like he’d like to be anywhere else!

Interest review I read of the event was only complimentary about the dancers

Body shaming of children happens everywhere not just in ballet I do think we should remember that. It’s an awful thing but at the same time teachers are encouraged to monitor children’s packed lunches and raise concerns with parents if they are considered overweight- all those letters sent to parents over BMI a few years ago. I’m all for children being a healthy weight but this ain’t half a minefield. I was called plum duff at one school, woman mountain at college (my song apparently was three times a lady - put in a student newsletter) and known as the Norfolk dumpling by a very sweet elderly tutor at postgraduate level. Survived all that happily a bit thinner now which I chose for myself... just saying it’s all very muddy!

A few thoughts. Brave of these young people to speak. But as a journalist of some 40 years, that was one of the most biased pieces of reporting I have ever watched. You cannot just talk to one viewpoint ... however the schools may have chosen to respond I am sure some positive views from real people in person could have been sourced. I have no doubt that behaviour happens as described and shame on the adults who perpetuate that behaviour. However... I think those teachers know the reality of getting and keeping a place in a leading classical ballet company. it’s a brutal art form let’s be honest. I am sure would be opera singers and orchestral players have similar tales - not of weight - but, you just ain’t going to cut it... I could suggest we look at who creates most ballets these days. There needs to be more women. The same in fashion- this gamine look has been IT for decades. More than 100 years. But the fact remains however strong men can become - and lord they are strong - it’s a simple fact that they need to be able to lift and lift and lift and lift in the same pdd etc so need a reasonably light partner. I just hope the system takes this on the chin and really improves the culture and not only on body shape. Personally I’d much rather watch a woman who looks like a woman with curves and contours. It’s gone far to far the other way and some of the current dancers look much too skeletal. But until choreographers, ballet directors and teachers start thinking that way I fear nothing will change.

Fine to pose the question but also fine to respond unequivocally no, of course not.

Yes Jan we so appreciate your diligence and comprehensive links

Self-indulgent, self-obsessed pests. The poor dancers and audience

I went to the staatsoper twice for the ballet - Giselle and Onegin - both excellent. I was in the parterre I think 2 rang slightly to one side and it was lovely view - easy to book online etc ... it was proper snowing when we came out of onegin so we went to hotel Sacher for heisse schokolade mit sahne !!!

Honestly... I do enjoy them when they are full of joy! I only follow a couple but that leads you to others. William B’s globetrotting summer has been sweet, warm and fascinating... it can give you an insight into the ties(and toes) that bind that big company. I only started following him after watching him dance and I can’t imagine ever being influenced the other way. There are one or two dancers who seem just a little bit - well - pleased with themselves but they are not people I’d go and watch because I have and while my respect and admiration were engaged ... the rest of me was left cold! Live performance is so individual and unique in the way people respond, in music theatre or ballet. (I’m also a huge fan of the kings singers who mostly perform abroad so great to be kept in touch with artists’ working lives on Instagram). And I won’t lie, when one comments and you get a “like” from the artist or colleagues it’s just nice to know they know you appreciate their work and their sharing! I do adore Nela’s cats too ...my two sent her a message for Romi’s birthday!

Very sorry to hear this - what a disappointment for you

From memory there are some dancers remembered at the Actors Church in Covent Garden. I know there is a plaque to David Blair but I am sure there are others. It’s worth a visit anyway... a little oasis in the heart of London. And of course Eliza Doolittle sold flowers on its steps ...

The other day caught Balanchine’s Nutcracker... goodness me some lovely dancing on that huge stage. But did not like the two moppets! It was 2011 but the Chinese dance - incredibly dated surely even though a while ago. Amazed they got away with that and I never take offence, certainly on someone else’s behalf but it reminded me of Christopher Lee as Fu Manchu! And it had one of the oddest steps I have ever seen with the sugar plum fairy en arabesque pulled across the stage by her partner. So at least Sky Arts showed me something I’d never seen before!

I am glad in a way I saw mukamedov in the role he was amazing but it was very distressing. I found different drummer more unsettling and that’s back! One night the Judas tree hanging scene went wrong and he (irek) sort of held himself up clearly saying to the others go! go! It was awful. When he came out he said”basxxxd ballet”. I’ve never forgotten it. Hope this is ok to share it is very clear in my mind not anecdotal

Fascinating Thankyou. So true those last comments. When dancers really have the chops it’s as if it’s all just unfolding in front of you. Like the moment Juliet goes up on pointe for that kiss with Romeo - when they really get that it’s hold your breath racing heart time!

Just to add .. this may be elsewhere but there is more casting info up now hence me going to see Dante with an open mind and heart and it’s much cheaper too! Will combine with trip to see lights and so on she said ignoring her advanced age! PS re the Fille debate ... I don’t know whether it’s just rumour about the Alain character pure speculation I think. But we do want the ballet back. And whatever people’s views on Manon - those three pas de deux are surely worth a view?

Just seen casting up for Dante. Oh Lordy ... might have to spring for a ticket after all

I can’t even start on the hens

A lot of the contemporary rep is mighty disturbing.

There’s Wayne Eagling? And other Ashton dancers about I just hope they cotton on to their treasures

Especially as we have dancers one longs to see in the roles. It’s not the Alain thing is it? I think that’s his name! Perceived as disrespectful or prejudiced against people with metro divergence? I really hope not

Can only concur with the unquiet sentiments here. Every ballet was new once so we must have new works ... but the balance between new pieces and the RB’s unrivalled repertoire seems to me off kilter given the art form that classical ballet is. One rich in heritage where the art is passed from one generation to the next and beyond. I can see many of the recent expensive contemporary ballets withering on the vine. All too often I fear it’s all about a series of big ticks to meet targets and secure funding.

I was hoping for Hayward/Bracewell or Bracewell/Nunez, but I am sure it will be a lovely partnership with Naghdi.. they seem to be very in sync on tour! They have so many to choose from.

They are thoroughbreds! When I see the horses riding out at Newmarket to train, elegant and graceful, with their shapely legs and careful delicate hooves I am sometimes reminded of some female dancers ... only in the sense of grace and beauty and polish