Roberta

I loved this one also. (Article from 2018) "The 1941 novel – a sort of Ballet Shoes for the theatre" The Swish of the Curtain: an anarchic children's classic rises again Pamela Brown’s madcap 1941 tale of stagestruck children inspired the likes of Dame Maggie Smith and Eileen Atkins to start acting. Now it’s stepping back into the limelight https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2018/may/31/the-swish-of-the-curtain-an-anarchic-childrens-classic-rises-again?CMP=share_btn_url And of course the 'Maddie' sequels "Brown wrote four sequels: Maddy Alone – 1945 Golden Pavements – 1947 Blue Door Venture – 1949 Maddy Again – 1956 Publication Until recently The Swish of the Curtain was the only one of the "Blue Doors" series to have been republished after the 1970s. However, The Swish of the Curtain (2006), Maddy Alone (2007), Golden Pavements (2009) and Blue Door Venture (2011) have been republished by Longwater Books, and Maddy Again was finally reprinted in 2012. As this last book in the series was not published for many years, copies of it had previously become very rare and valuable, and very hard to find. Most recently, Pushkin Press have republished all the titles in the Blue Door series." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Swish_of_the_Curtain "It was begun in 1938 when the author was 14 but was not published until 1941"

I suppose as it was a student performance and Easter weekend critics decided not to watch? I watched all three performances online and very much enjoyed it. That based on Petipa even if re-imagined. @Doug Fullington based the choreography on Stepanov notation from c1900 when there was a revival.

Ballet Shoes on film, a discussion. 1975 v 2007 versions (with comments underneath) https://pargoletta.livejournal.com/126261.html

Not so well known is the Cecchetti Associates scheme, held three times a term on Sundays plus there is a summer school. For many students it could be the extra boost they need while still able to carry on with other training & classes. It's not only for those training in the Cecchetti Method. From 7 to 18. It's a chance also to network and make friends. There is also a choreographic competition. This is based at Rambert. Next auditions June. There are a small number of scholarships. The scheme has been running for 25 years. https://www.cecchettiassociates.dance/ https://www.cecchettiassociates.dance/summer-school https://www.cecchettiassociates.dance/history https://www.cecchettiassociates.dance/choreographic https://www.facebook.com/CecchettiAssociatesCentral/ Two other schemes in Wales and Warrington

Yuhui Choe is missing also, maternity leave, always joy and a reliable, versatile First Soloist.

Yes, it is at least a wonderful opportunity to dress up in their best, pout suggestively and cast shade on the others! Here I am look at my overload of sequins choose ME! All rather a cattle market isn't it? I suppose it balances out (pun there) Aurora and her parading suitors. It's an odd way to find a spouse.

Yes! Usually First Soloists in gorgeous costumes doing not a lot.

Yes! More about that here! 🩰 https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/whirligigtv/ballet-shoes-t11295.html

Here is the wonderful Makarova talking with huge humour about her 'dancing disasters. I think falling into the prompter's box trapped in your crinoline at the Kirov is possibly pretty disastrous. 🙂

Well it happens. Stages can be slippery, sequins or a random feather drop off costumes, dancers are human and sometimes dancing with an injury. Steps are difficult to execute. It's hardly a disaster is it? Falling flat on your rear or your face is unfortunate, what is possibly a 'disaster' of sorts is if it means a dancer is injured so badly they can't carry on. The greatest of dancers have stumbled. They get up usually and carry on like the professionals they are. Sounds as though the two big swans dealt with a minor incident admirably.

Yes he's Baron von Rothbart https://www.alastairmacaulay.com/blog/spjs2ilspbnnh0k5ozg3fbfco1dc73

It is indeed a great shot and the costume is a triumph of design and manufacture. However the makeup around the mouth looks as though Rothbart is around 105 and forgot his dentures. Rothbart German and Jewish (Ashkenazic): nickname for someone with a red beard, from Middle High German rōt ‘red’ + bart ‘beard’, German ... A red beard signalled the baddie, see also Giselle?

I think it unlikely he would have described the two swans as a 'disaster' without any explanation. Did they fall into the orchestra? Crash into each other? I think we should be told! As for the cygnets, I've always found that part of the ballet risible (in a ballet where I fear I find a great deal risible to be honest) though I can't imagine the dancers being any more 'heavy' than any other cast. Some expansion and explanation I agree with @RobR would aid our understanding...

Well I loved the NT Treasure Island (originally Christmas 2014 I think, will check?) Yes Aargh Jim lad was Jim lass and very good she was too. Patsy Ferran So who knows, it could be a lovely surprise. https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/dec/14/treasure-island-national-theatre-observer-review

Very suddenly at the age of 80 https://slippedisc.com/2024/04/sudden-death-of-a-much-loved-english-maestro/ Not really ballet news I know, but I thought forum members would wish to know.

Julia Rausing was a great patron and benefactor of the arts and of Royal Opera House. Sad news. Short thread here from the ROH. Further information:- https://www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/philanthropist-julia-rausing-dies-aged-63.html

An evening of dance and discovery Join us on Thursday 25 April for a collaboration between The Royal Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem and the Black British Ballet. Presented before a live audience in London and in New York City, this special program will highlight the little-known but extensive history of Black dancers in ballet in the UK and US, and will feature a performance by The Royal Ballet and Dance Theatre of Harlem. 'Insights: Black dancers in ballet - sharing a rich trans-atlantic legacy' will be co-hosted in New York City by Jacob's Pillow and the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts: https://bit.ly/442VXIM Missed out on a ticket? Livestream the event from 7pm BST on our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/446PrRh or at 2pm EST on Dance Theatre Harlem's Facebook page: https://bit.ly/3Q7xf4d https://www.facebook.com/royaloperahouse/posts/pfbid0mMEwZbcF3qkrnue33iPneY6vDeWR5Pn1bHnd8GriAaNvZctFvaoJYWKHRYCJNEpWl

Sadly yes. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/apr/19/sunak-rejects-offer-of-mobility-scheme-for-young-people-between-eu-and-uk

Of The Leather Trousers. I still dream of him in those. 🦢 *sigh*

Another group of photos and a further clip from Rhapsody! What an amazing experience for the four RBS students and all the others! 🩰 https://www.instagram.com/emilegooding/p/C56R5DTInh1/?hl=en Hope your DD had a wonderful time @Birdy

Wonderful! I have just dug out my ancient book copy to re-read, what a co-incidence! 🩰

Yes. Though not in the US!

It was something that crossed my mind also when I read the press release. Has the 'partnership' with Elmhurst come to an end with no notice? Students from there danced in the recent concert with the orchestra.

I'm assuming that 2023 was heralded as the start of the 25th anniversary season and the season has carried on through all the rounds of the competition to 2024, culminating in the gala. https://yagp.org/newsletter-summer-2023/

It's news. I'm not entirely sure why it happened though. 353 is not 500, but hey. Five hundred dancers gathered outside the famous Plaza Hotel in New York City to break the world record for most dancers on pointe at the same time. The dancers come from many U.S. states and countries around the world Link to official AP YouTube channel.