jmhopton

Hurrah! At last! new ballets/ballet films on the BBC. Sat 15th Jan BBC2 10-11.45pm. Yuli: the Carlos Acosta story. Biopic based on the autobiography of the Cuban ballet dancer, from his troubled upbringing in Havana to his emergence as the Royal Ballet's first black principal dancer. Young Carlos is a happy go-lucky street urchin until his truck driver father decides that he should audition for the Havana State Ballet school. It says it's in Spanish. Hopefully that is a mistake! Sun 23rd Jan BBC4 7-7.30pm Danceworks: Ballet Black. The Waiting Game Documentary that explores the work of Artistic Director Cassa Pancho as she nurtures aspiring young dancers and gains recognition for her company's collaborations with world-class choreographers. It also follows the creative process of South African dancer and choreographer Mthuthuzeli November, as he creates a dynamic new ballet inspired in equal measure by Samuel Beckett's seminal Waiting for Godot and his own African rhythms and language Sun 23rd Jan BBC4 9-10.50pm RB Dante Project. No further details given.

Thanks Janet. Since I retired I can't seem to get my head round abbreviations. Sign of brain fatigue if not incipient dementia!

Sorry, I'm not very good on abbreviations. What is the DM facility? Is it direct messaging and, if so, how does it differ from PMs? It took me ages to realise PM meant personal message. I always associate it with Prime Minister which didn't seem right!

When I asked years ago about the possibility of discounted prices/special offers for those of us having to travel long distances, possibly with hotel bills as well for evening performances, I was told that the ROH valued such members who made so much effort, and the reduced matinee prices were to help those who lived at a distance. Does this mean that by scrapping reduced matinee prices we're not valued any more? Wouldn't really surprise me. As JohnS said, the decision was taken in 2018 so they didn't have Covid loss of revenue as an excuse. ENO by comparison, has a range of discounted prices from £5 off for seniors, and reductions for children (something you'd think the ROH would be interested in promoting).

I'm sure he loved Vadim and many of the new, young cohort at the Royal Ballet. Its just there don't appear to be any reviews to support this in this particular collection. Perhaps another book is called for (preferably a bit more lightweight!) though I did like the format and the photographs.

Have started reading this and really enjoying it though I'd prefer it to be less heavy! Love the little bon mots scattered about. Scherazade 2000 has all the erotic charge of a Bath bun. Faroukh Ruzimatov 1990 The back bends and the Theda Bara emotings would have won him a contract with D.W. Griffith. Gaite Parisienne 1999 A chap in an actionable red velvet outfit that made him look like a sofa in a bordello. Coppelia 1995 The Kirov monstrosity combines the worst features of Hellzapoppin and Vampire Lesbians of Sodom. Royal Ballet Mixed Bill 1995 Septext, la Ronde, Firstext, Rhapsody In order to see "fearful sights", an Elizabethan herbal recommended anointing the temples with lapwing's blood. There is no need for such recherche` treatment this week; a ticket for the Royal ballet's new triple bill will provide all the fearful sights a dance-lover needs for this year, or any other...The need for this arid tosh in the Covent garden repertory escapes me... My sympathies are with the marvellous Darcey Bussell who's unenviable task is to end the ballet (La Ronde) by wriggling on the ground with all the amorous ecstasy of a grass snake on heat. Hope it's OK to give these quotes. Mods please remove if it's not but I just wanted to give a flavour of the book. Interestingly, he criticizes the RB several times in the 80s and 90s for not making use of past dancers as repetiteurs. Presumably he couldn't do that now with Avis, Saunders and now Ed Watson as permanent ballet masters. Also, Lesley Collier, Darcey, Leanne Benjamin, Dowell and Mason being brought in as coaches. His opinion about the RB Dance Bites programme they inflicted on small regional theatres in the late 90s definitely mirrored my feelings about this extremely ill-judged venture. If the RB couldn't afford touring full length ballets (understandable, although ENB and BRB both with a fraction of the ROH Govt grant managed it) then at least they could tour one act ballets that are recognizably ballet. Instead, they chose to tour a rag bag selection of modern or experimental works that presumably they thought wasn't suitable for London audiences. In this case, why inflict them in areas unfamiliar with modern ballets and to whom the words 'Royal Ballet' are associated with classical ballet? No matter how much you advertised them as modern ballets, non-ballet going audiences will come expecting to see tutus and classical variations. You think the RB could have attracted a new audience if they had done a mixture of more traditional one act ballets and divertissements, instead of the sort of rubbish that Clement entitles 'Bad, bad, ballet'. I'm looking forward to continuing with the book. My only disappointment is whoever did the selections seemed to have ended about 2015 though Clement was writing until at least 2018. So, there seems to be no mention of Muntagirov or any other of the current young RB dancers (at least in the index).

I'm sorry I'm not seeing any new performances Erico Montes is in as like Dawnstar I always really liked him and looked out for him on stage. He always added a touch of class to whatever part he took, however small. I was disappointed he was never promoted, and the small roles he was usually given. Perhaps he'll come back for swan lake or Month in the Country when I might be able to see him.

Well yes, I suppose that is the traditional way of doing things, to do Lensky first and then Onegin. have any dancers ever started straight with Onegin? Lensky is a great role also, with pas de deux and that emotive, dramatic solo just before the duel. I'll settle for either but first we need Onegin to be staged (please, Kevin).

Me too Anna. definitely my favourite ballet and as well as Vadim, I'm also salivating at the thought of William Bracewell as Onegin.

Yes, Les Patineurs. How could I forget this! For some bizarre reason it used to be scheduled with Tales of Beatrix Potter. Has it been done since? Seems ages. Though I always feel slightly short changed because we don't get the proper end any more, where the curtain comes down on the Blue Boy turning and then rises again with him still turning. I think I was told that modern technology meant you aren't able to lower and rise the curtain fast enough to enable this to be done but I suspect there's a health and safety reason in there somewhere as well. There always is these days Pair it with Midsummer Nights Dream and throw in Voices of Spring and you could almost do an Ashton seasonal mixed bill, possibly with the seasonal dances from Cinderella.

Yes I too would like to see more touring, especially ENB Raymonda to Manchester as I'm going to have to cancel my London visit. Also, it was due to premier there so they should at least get a visit though it may not be an easy ballet to fill the Palace Theatre. It's so large. Like Janet, I would like to see BRB delve into their back catalogue and I too would love to see much of what she suggests. I suspect we may have to wait longer than usual this year to hear any new season announcements as artistic directors may be hedging their bets, trying to best guess covid related problems, though that's probably fairly impossible.

Happy New Year everyone! Lets hope 2022 (especially the 2022/23 season) can see more of a return to ballet normality for companies, dancers and audiences alike. It's what we all want to see. I'm starting my annual conjecture as to what is likely to be in the 2022/23 season and what I'd like to be there. I concentrate mainly on the Royal Ballet Company as that's the company and rep. I know best but if anyone wants to include other UK, European or other Companies that's fine. I know Kevin will almost certainly have finalised his plans (though they may be more fluid than usual and more subject to change because of covid eg possibly substituting more mixed bills for the preferred money spinning full length ballets if restrictions return). But there may be a small slot he is undecided about so perhaps we could give him some hints. At least he will know what committed ballet goers would like to see! Of course I would like anything by Frederick Ashton. Where do you start? La Fille is an obvious feel-good favourite and I don't think has been scheduled since 2015 (?) If so, it is long overdue for a revival. However, I would like a new recording of Sylvia, either for cinema or livestream (particularly with Vadim/Marianela) so either would be great. There are so many short ballets I'd love to see though given the current Ashton policy at the ROH I know I don't stand a chance of getting a mixed bill as well as a full length. In lieu of anything else a small scale mixed bill at the Linbury would suffice (providing there's a full length on the main stage), especially if it was filmed. Les Rendezvous would be a good start. I was so disappointed when ENB school didn't film their school show. I think Christopher Carr staged it. It would be great to stage more obscure Ashton while people like him are still around and can help with the production. So many have been lost already. We don't want to lose any more if it could be preventable. Don Q is another feel good ballet. It probably wouldn't be staged the same year as La Fille so either/or would be great. Carlos' staging isn't a massive favourite but better than nothing. Of course they may not want to do it so soon after BRB but consultation doesn't always seem to happen. Think how both RB and BRB opened up this season with Romeo. Onegin is also a massive favourite for me. Pushing it a bit I know as it's not that long since it was staged but I've been waiting to see Vadim Muntagirov as Onegin ever since he joined the RB and was gutted when he pulled out 2 years ago. I know he's not everyone's idea of Onegin but I've always wanted to see what he makes of the role and if he could do it with his previously scheduled Tatiana, Osipova it would really make my year. There will have to be the obligatory Macmillan. I prefer Manon but Mayerling would be OK if it's longer since that was performed. 19th century classic. Possibly Bayadere? Not that long since it was staged but Swan lake and Sleeping Beauty have been staged more recently. I'd like to see something more unknown by Jerome Robbins but choreographers like him seem to lose out in favour of more modern works which is a pity. Same with Cranko. I thought some of his plotless ballets streamed during the pandemic such as RBME and Mozart's Concerto for Flute and harp were absolutely brilliant. Like some of Balanchine's work (Symphony in C would definitely get my vote) they are my ideal of modern ballets and would like to see more of them at the ROH. To me they are great modern ballets and not a contortion or sludge coloured leotard in sight! I'll probably think of several more possibilities as soon as I stop but can't keep adding and will be interested to see what other people think. Here's to a great season of ballet watching for all of us. After what everyone has gone through this last 2 years we all deserve it!

In a previous BBC dance celebration 5-10 years ago (?) sometime over Christmas, they showed a complete episode of The Magic of Dance. I remembered it because it included a complete Fonteyn/Nureyev Marguerite and Armand. So it must be possible to broadcast them even if it's in dribs and drabs; not the entire series shown all together.

They are repeating Men at the Barre and Matthew Bournes Red Shoes as I've mentioned in the terrestrial TV links but I agree it's not much for your license fee, especially when they seemed to show a lot more ballet and culture generally in the 1960s and 70s. Why can't they show more of their archive material? I'd love to see a re run of Margot Fonteyns Magic of Dance and older ballet recordings. I thought a year or 2 ago there was talk of the BBC making their archive available but not heard anything recently. Probably not seen as 'relevant' , diverse or 'inclusive' enough for modern audiences. Though ironically would probably appeal to the very people who mainly watch terrestrial TV. The snag is, the BBC tries to be everything to everyone and ends up pleasing no-one.

Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere. I'd be surprised if it has been missed. Seems to be the ballet season announced for this year that was subsequently cancelled. Like before, not much I'm personally interested in apart from the Carlos Acosta dance/drama film I enjoyed at the cinema. https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2021/dance-season-2022

BBC belatedly getting their act together and providing some ballet (albeit repeats). Better late than never I suppose. Sunday 9th Jan 7.25-9pm Matthew Bournes Red Shoes. At last a ballet shown at a civilized time! Sunday 9th Jan 9-10pm Men at the Barre. Doc about male dancers at the RB. Repeated at 1.25am Monday 10th Jan.

At the moment at least I don't think there is any intention the non -live streams will replace live performances. So, if they don't, they're a nice optional extra for those who can't get to London (and a bit of much needed cash for the ROH). If the worst happens and more live performances are cancelled at least they can be a small consolation for those desperate for a RB 'fix'.

BBC4 are repeating Anything Goes Sunday 2nd Jan 9pm. It's also on iplayer for a year. Cbeebies are showing Northern Ballet's children's ballet, Puss in Boots 2.05 pm New years Eve London Live (Freeview 8, Sky 117, Virgin 159) is showing London Children's Ballet The Prince and the Pauper on New Years day 6am. BBC2. New years day concert Live from Vienna 10.15am-12.40. Includes some ballet. SkyArts Billy Elliot the musical: 2nd Jan 1.35am SkyArts Ashton triple inc The Dream and Marguerite and Armand. Sat 8th Jan 6am (incidentally, with this ballet 2 people have asked for SkyArts to show ballet at a later time).

Sorry Jeanette, I'm confusing you with triple bills. Sarasota said they weren't able to carry on with streaming their own work (cost I think but not really sure). The filmed triple bill I referred to was the UK Ashton triple at the end of April, beginning of May. That does seem to be being streamed which is good news for all us Ashton fans (especially international ones like you) When I said 'we have the triple bill' I meant the UK. Sorry to get your hopes up. But at least you may have an option of attending Sarasota (lucky you!) And you can also enjoy our streamed Ashton triple.

Quite simply the Forum is my lifeline to all things ballet related. I love it and log in at least once a day. It was awful being without it for even a short space of time 10 years ago. I've never felt so cut off and bereft of information, communication and companionship. Several people I first 'met' on the Forum have now become good friends and it's as much a treat to meet up with such friends before a performance or in the interval, as it is to see the actual performance. A very loud Bravo to all the Moderators who make it happen (it's Ok to say this as I'm not in the theatre!), and as volunteers and in their own time. May all Forum users and Mods have a wonderful Christmas and here's to a better 2022 for everyone (especially all the ballet companies!)

There was a mention in yesterday's Times article in the Links. However, all it says is it will be at the Southbank Centre sometime in 2022. Not very helpful.

I'm seriously thinking of a house exchange for at least some of the Ashton performances. We used to do it every year in the early 2000s for when the Kirov (as they were then) came in the summer and it worked out really great. We had a lovely flat in North London, our elderly dog could come too and it saved a fortune on hotel and transport costs. Also our elderly exchanger had a 2 week holiday every year. We still do exchanges but haven't done any in London for a while. Perhaps it's time to start again, especially as both Ashton weekends are public holidays so transport will be disrupted and accommodation expensive.

Oh dear so I'll miss out on Vadim's Month in the Country as a livestream. I've been wanting an opportunity to see him perform this at a livestream where I can watch it multiple times, since I saw his performance in the last run. I'll just have to see as many as I can live. I thought they would go for this casting as McRae was filmed in Rhapsody last time so it didn't make sense to film him again. I'm sure Sambe will be splendid but I still hanker after a Hayward/Hay Rhapsody as they were so amazing last time.

Me too. I was hoping their performance would have been filmed as he was terrific with Hayward last time. Have I got it right they are filming 2 different casts? I don't understand this as I thought the idea of filming twice was to do a bit if a mix and match if something went wrong with a performance. Do we know which cast is being streamed? I would love to see Vadim in Month in the Country filmed but also Hayward and Sambe in Rhapsody. I can see my entire annual ballet budget going on this one production as its the train and hotel costs as well as the tickets as I've got to see Morera as well.

Lucky you, Jeanette. I'm very envious. What a pity Sarasota have stopped streaming. I'd love to have seen that programme and also the new David Bintley. I did email them to ask but they said they couldn't carry on with the streaming. At least we have the triple bill which hopefully is being streamed as its being filmed so that's something to look forward to.