theunderdog

I believe Varna has taken on Ukraine dancers to help them out during the crisis (ongoing) and gone to Europe as they can't tour in their own country. And they have given opportunities to UK dancers to share the stage (I am close to 1 who got a 6 month contract performing every ballet they dreamed of as a child!). I think this is wonderful and I applaud Varna for what they have acheived, in the face of adversity.

Look at ballet cymru

For the finals they will require improv. So, if your DD has a solo for ballet or contemporary, its good they tap into that, even if they are just asked to improv for 16 counts:)

Look at Hammond. LMA, LSC, Rambert, Central and Bird (ballet string). All of these will take at 18 after A levels. You also now have the Carlos Acosta route which is 14k a year. PM if you need details.

Found an early article so thought I post https://www.nytimes.com/1986/02/16/arts/dance-view-the-sadler-s-wells-production-of-beauty-is-a-winner.html With this excerpt (even when the ballet brings a smile someone still has to point out the negatives ) The women in the company tend to have weak toe work and carelessly held feet -especially when they are in the air. They also tend to dance on a small scale. To demand that they have the attack of Russian and American dancers would be foolish.

Shame. But at least these ballerinas who probably trained for many years to just get a shot on the big stage, got to realise their dream in the corps of Swan Lake and probs had the time of their god damn lives entertaining you We have a very high opinion of what Ballet should be in then UK. It's probably what has led to all these other threads lately. To say BRB, RBS and Northern, and that ilke, are the only ones worthy of touring and sharing their passion with audiences is a shame. They already have the monopoly in London, so I think it's time for the little guys to have a shot (Varna established in 2023....wonder how good the first RBS production was?...if only we had forums back then!). Give them all a chance I say and if it is not your cup of tea don't go again. They will be someone's cup of tea and that's OK:)

I love BTUK productions. R AND J last year moved me to tears and Wizard of Oz had children as young as 2 glued to their seats...small company, small stages (you can almost touch them), fantastic costumes (the cast move the Staging and props through the dances effortlesly). Strong soloists. Yes, no live orchestra but who cares when you are drawn into the story and come away with a smile on your face. With tickets at 18-20 quid even in 2024, it's a worthy afternoon/eve out. And it's supporting small local Theatre's which, is so very, very important nowadays. Excited to see what London City Ballet bring us in 2024 (the reprisal of the small companies, where maybe those never destined for Royal Opera or Collusieum get a chance to experience the same thrill of delighting audiences) I can't wait!

Its sad this is happening just as school auditions are happening. Like league football transfer window but at the wrong time imo.

And yet some local schools are also part of the problem...... At 3 years old my daughter was told she had the physique the RBS would look for (rose tinted spectacles and drawn right in!) At 11 she was screamed at for 4 hours during a video audition (and made to really cry) to "just get it right" for a top school associate place, which she got and her local teacher told her not to lose it.... "because I got you that place, that place is mine" also told at that same age not to apply for schools (there was another the teacher had their eye on then!). Got told, after the first acceptance to YBSS "its a fluke, you wont get it again" been to 4 other sessions since (because, as a family, we are resilient and didn't listen and stick fingers up to those who say we can't!) Got told, after getting a distinction in an exam, it wasnt good enough because she dropped a mark to another girl!! We have since left that school and come upon others and private teachers who champion their students and will support my daughter to eternity but, how many families end up on our journey they cant escape from?!..... So, to say it is just the "TOP schools" fault I dont agree, this is an inherent problem, spawned from audiences that pay to see the lithe dancers, ignoring what they go through to be where they are because it is "art" right (many a times I've seen lithe dancers out back chugging a fag instead of eating during an interval -fact!), right back to local schools, where teachers were possibly also treated badly (an opinion not fact, sorry Jan, but my experience gives me this opinion) and like breeds like right!? We talk safe guarding all the time. OSFTED (they are not 100% as we know!) look at safeguarding in teaching envs but, what do we have in the ballet world to check these local dance schools? (reputed plumbers and electricians have 'check a trade', again, in the local ballet world what do we have?). If you try to call out local schools, the red tape is beyond hideous (personal experience, fact!), easier to walk away! So, IMO (not fact) the whole ballet culture needs a shake up, from the ground up not just at the end of the journey and not just at "private ballet school" level.... BTW, my daughter is thriving, it is a joy to see her ballet journey unfold, she is strong and determined and she loves the art (as do we) but when she falls she will be caught and plan B is as secure as plan A Hug each other, laugh, but most of all be the wall in front of them and the safety net to catch them and take the rose spectacles off

Like an Eastenders Christmas plot....who's next, who dunnit. It will all come out in the wash. Keeps the ballet world interesting

I know its early on but many of the student accomodation states - book by 31st March to get best deal (nothing to pay until July!) 1. wondering if a genuine offer? And 2. Wondering where students of CSB (or prospective students) are looking to stay in 2024 please?

When will the threads be back up please?

My DD is non-voc and got a resi to SI week 3. She has been for the last 2 years also and love it.