Mandy Kent

Very shocked and sad to post this terrible news....Jonathan has been killed in a motor bike accident today http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-33843332

Lovely photos Dave. Please may I order one of EW and LM as the Swan/Prince? Looking forward to seeing this tonight. Any reviews or views from people that went on Fri and Sat?

Just want to join in wishing my sincere condolences to the Maguire family on their tragic loss.

re: Darcey..I couldn't concentrate on what she was saying as I was totally distracted by her bizarre collar decoration and matching earrings, sorry for making such a personal comment Darcey but what were you thinking?

Sad to have missed this , would love to hear how it went, wanted to see Jon Goddard particularly. ..

Yes BBB it could have caused a lot of confusion otherwise, thank you!

cant find this online yet....

Saturday Telegraph magazine 5th April Page 30 Sarah Crompton article on Wheeldon's much anticipated The Winter's Tale with rehearsal photos of the cast ...worth a read and should be online too

A fashion shoot featuring Christina Arestis, Zenaida Yanowsky, Lauren Cuthbertson, Edward Watson, Yasmine Nagdi, Romany Padjak ( apols if any names incorrect ) http://www.harpersbazaar.co.uk/fashion/inside/april-2014-shoot-poetry-in-motion-royal-ballet?click=main_sr#slide-1

Nice article with photos about Edward Watson in today's Telegraph magazine. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/dance/10607589/The-world-of-ballet-dancer-Edward-Watson.html

I will miss Mara Galeazzi, I've always been impressed by her dancing and agree with Alison, she is a leading Macmillan ballerina and will be a hard act to follow. Her Juliet, Anastasia,Mary Vetsera and many other roles were all very special and intense. Her Firebird was superb too. I wish her all the best of luck and happiness in her future.

Dear Grey Rabbit and Minder Many thanks from a replete Mandy xx ( I love the food at Savoir Faire) Great to see everyone!

I still have my WITW fridge magnets (original cast) in daily use on my fridge!

The Phoenix Cinema , East Finchley is showing the ballet ,opera and theatre screenings: http://www.phoenixcinema.co.uk/whatson/special-events-opera Must get to some of these...so near for me and I hadn't realised!!

re: Cast List . In the foyer at Sadlers Wells, on the ground floor, near the ice cream stall at the back, there is a large white board giving the casting for that performance...it would help if this was shown on the other levels of the theatre too. I went for the second time last night and really enjoyed the show.I love the Lez Brotherston designs and the more balletic style of dancing, the fairies in particular, and the pdd for Aurora and her gardener 'prince' is very nice at the end.

Wind in the Willows has lost none of its charm and there have been some significant improvements...for example a superb Narrator who can also sing, and a giant puppet judge who towers over poor Toad in act 2 as he condemns him to 20 years in gaol. However I have been spoilt by having seen the 'maestro' Matthew Hart as Toad in previous productions.For me the new Toad, Chris Penfold conveys the manic behaviour without quite achieving the pathos required...his performance was therefore not nearly as touching. It was wonderful to have Will Kemp back as the jaunty Ratty, his expressive face and mannerisms bristling with character, and the marvelous Luke Heydon multi-tasking as an Otter, Weasel, various other personages and the delightfully coy Gaoler's Daughter! Its still a magic experience for kids and those, like me, who are still kids at heart!

have also posted in ticket trade but just to say I have a ticket for the Tosca Insight evening on Weds 9th Jan at 7.30pm Will be there to see Firebird so can arrange to meet to hand over ticket will sell for £10

I am SO pleased to have Will Kemp back as Ratty and Luke Heydon as the Gaolers Daughter, these roles were created on them. Wishing Cris Penfold 'merde' in his Toad debut. Matthew Hart will be a hard act to follow...although Ewan Wardrop was a fine Toad too. Matthew Hart has a very special place in my Heart though

Looking forward to joining you and seeing all the gang! Also celebrating my son's wedding on Dec 17th Have missed all my ballet friends but have been busy with new business. see you soon Mandy x

I went to see Good Morning Midnight ( the 7.30 show on Thurs 8th Nov) in the tiny Jermyn Street Theatre ( so small that the loos are just behind the stage which you have to walk across to find). The late-night atmosphere is conjured by an original jazz score by composer TTJ, plus suitably louche lighting by Phil Hewitt. TTJ ( Tasha Taylor Johnson) writes witty lyrics and has a sensual , slightly throaty voice. The premise is that six characters are awake and it is midnight; they are fizzing with energy and not ready to sleep at all. Drew McConie's innovative choreography is fresh and full of fun. A young and highly talented dancer himself, Drew's choreographic vocabulary is extensive and he brings out the personalities of his six characters. The three ladies were Kirsty Mather, playing a seductress in red lipstick and a red dress, Jaslyn Reader, a cool blonde with the longest legs, and Carrie Johnson, a good time girl with the brightest smile..ready to stay up all night. The men were Simon Hardwick ( also assistant choreographer) planning to party the night away, the gorgeous Henry Davis in (.. and out of !) the sharpest suit ever and the mega-sultry Jonathan Ollivier..showing his balletic talents with some stunning multiple pirouettes whilst igniting the stage with just one look.The modern dance style included classical ballet influences although the dancers had bare feet, there was some complex partnering and lifts. This was a considerable achievement given the postage-stamp sized stage! The show was short but sweet, just one hour of midnight madness!

Any news on casting for Wind In The Willows this season? Is it too much to hope for Matthew Hart?