Ian Macmillan

Links – Friday 3 March 2023 Reviews – Royal Ballet, Woolf Works, London: Alastair Macaulay, Slipped Disc Lyndsey Winship, Guardian Debra Craine, The Times Marianka Swain, Telegraph Siobhan Murphy, The Stage Teresa Guerreiro, Culture Whisper Graham Watts, Bachtrack Review – Scottish Ballet, Coppélia (Jess & Morgs), London: David Jays, Evening Standard Review – Rambert, Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby, Edinburgh: Tom Ralphs, Reviews Hub Review – Batsheva Dance Company, Hora, New York: Brian Seibert, NY Times Review – Ballet Preljocaj, Swan Lake (Preljocaj), Santa Barbara: Leslie Dinaberg, Santa Barbara Independent Tour Review – Matthew Bourne/New Adventures, Sleeping Beauty, Bristol: Marine Saint, Epigram Review – Frame Festival: Two, Mohini, Melbourne: Andrew Fuhrmann, The Age Film Review – Creature, English National Ballet: Jim Pritchard, Seen and Heard Feature - Alberta Ballet takes a haunting and romantic trip with Giselle: Angela Johnston, Edmonton Journal News - English National Ballet to continue wide-reaching work despite £1m funding gap: Jamie Body, The Stage News - Paris Opera Ballet names New Zealand dancer among two new stars: Staff, France 24 Feature – Australian Ballet’s subscribers are a very mixed lot: Wendy Tuohy, The Age Feature - Kokoro Dance's Jay Hirabayashi and Barbara Bourget on the challenges of surviving as an artist in Vancouver: Straight.com Podcasts - Reflections on Room of Mirrors: Sophie Bress, Fjord Review Book-related feature - What Fitness Culture took from Ballet: Alice Robb, The Atlantic

Episode 2 of the current series has just been released and features the RAD's new Chief Exec, Tim Arthur. It can be found via the RAD website, as can the previous four series: https://www.royalacademyofdance.org/podcast/

Links – Thursday 2 March 2023 Review – Royal Ballet, Woolf Works, London: David Jays, Evening Standard News - New English National Ballet AD announces first season with string of premieres: Naomi Clark, Independent and at Evening Standard Jamie Body, The Stage David Mead, SeeingDance Feature - How Rudolf Nureyev left his mark on Australian Ballet: Amanda Dunn, Sydney Morning Herald Feature – La Sylphide curtain call for a beloved ballerina: Martha Ullman West, Oregon Artswatch Review – Rambert, Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby, Edinburgh: Kelly Apter, Scotsman Preview - Tom Dale Company, SURGE, SUB:VERSION, London: Teresa Guerreiro, Culture Whisper Preview – Philadelphia Ballet, The Sleeping Beauty (Corella): Camille Bacon-Smith, Broad Street Review News – National Ballet of Canada’s next programme: Stephi Wild, BWW Toronto News - UK's first all-wheelchair-user dance company to tour: Jamie Body, The Stage News – Pacific Northwest’s Lesley Rausch to say Farewell in June: Staff, Ballet Herald Book News – Yasmine Naghdi & Chita Soundar: Ballet Besties, a 4-book series announced: Lauren Brown, The Bookseller

The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) has launched a series of Podcasts entitled Why Dance Matters - see Press Release, below. The first Episode featuring NYCB Principal, Tiler Peck can be found here: https://www.royalacademyofdance.org/podcast/episode-1-tiler-peck/ PRESS RELEASE RAD launches series 5 of Why Dance Matters podcast.docx

Links – Wednesday 1 March 2023 Reviews – San Francisco Ballet, Giselle (Tomasson), San Francisco: Terez Rose, Bachtrack Toba Singer, Culture Vulture Jim Munson, BWW SF Review – National Ballet of Japan, Coppélia (Petit), Tokyo: Naomi Mori, Bachtrack Review – Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Roy’s Joys, Survivors, Revelations, Philadelphia: Camille Bacon-Smith, Broad Street Review Review - Amarante Velarde & Colleagues, Desbordes, Barcelona: Veronica Posth, SeeingDance Gallery – La Scala Ballet, Le Corsaire, Milan: Graham Spicer, Gramilano Preview – DART Dance Company, Two Programmes, London: Teresa Guerreiro, Culture Whisper Feature – Mehdi Kerkouche: ‘Create, Share, Unite’ - a French choreographer’s vision: Roslyn Sulcas, NY Times Interview – NYCB dancer, Tiler Peck, on performing at Sadler's Wells: Katie Heyes, The Indiependent Dance Diary – February 2023, The Russell Kerr Lecture: Michelle Potter, ... on dancing News - Choreographers announced for Kansas City Ballet's New Moves: Staff, Ballet Herald Book-related feature - My whole life was Ballet—What did it mean to give it up?: Alice Robb, Vogue Book Review – Mindy Aloff, Why Dance Matters: Debra Cash, Arts Fuse

Links – Tuesday 28 February 2023 Review – San Francisco Ballet, Giselle (Tomasson), San Francisco: Heather Desaulniers, Critical Dance Review – Paris Opera Ballet, Gala Tribute to Patrick Dupond, Paris: Laurine Mortha, Bachtrack Review – New York City Ballet, Sleeping Beauty Season, New York: Gia Kourlas, NY Times Review – Ballett am Rhein, Polyphonia, One and Others, Salt Womb, Cologne: Vikki Jane Vile, Bachtrack Reviews – Dada Masilo Company, The Sacrifice, London: Donald Hutera, The Stage Louise Levene, Financial Times Reviews – Colette Sadler & Colleagues, Oracle Leaves: Portraits of Daphne, Glasgow: Lorna Irvine, Fjord Review Kelly Apter, Scotsman Mary Brennan, Herald Preview – Breakin’ Convention/The Ruggeds, State Shift, London: Teresa Guerreiro, Culture Whisper Preview – London Children’s Ballet, Snow White, London: Teresa Guerreiro, Culture Whisper Preview – Sydney Dance Company's new triple bill: Staff, Dance Australia Film Preview - The Red Shoes: the Next Step opens in April: Staff, Dance Australia Feature - A window for UK-based young dancers: The Performance Platform: David Mead, SeeingDance Feature - 'Young' NZ School of Dance still punching above its weight, says Director: Staff, Stuff.com Feature - March DanceWatch: A month of dance in Oregon: Jamuna Chiarini, Oregon Artswatch Talking Pointes - Signing and Dancing with Emma Memma: Claudia Lawson, Fjord Review Book Interview – Alice Robb: Don’t Think, Dear: Sophie Bress, Fjord Review News – National Ballet of Canada’s Rebekah Rimsay to take her final bow as the Stepmother: Staff, Ballet Herald News - Penny Saunders' Wonderland makes its live debut: Staff, Ballet Herald

Links – Monday 27 February 2023 Obituary – Rena Gluck, Dancer: Brian Murphy, Washington Post Interview - Alessandra Ferri: ‘Dancing with Nureyev,I swear he had an energetic aura around him’: Sarah Crompton, The Observer Feature - Longtime artistic director of Royal Winnipeg Ballet reflects on his 50 year career: Brittany Hobson, Toronto Star Review – Dada Masilo Company, The Sacrifice, London: Debra Craine, The Times Review – Northern Ballet, Ugly Duckling, Buxton: Viki Westall, Bachtrack Review – Perth Festival: Blick Bassy, Bikutsi 3000; Laura Boynes, Equations of a Falling Body, Perth, WA: Alana KIldea, Dance Australia Review - Australian Ballet: Ballet Under the Stars, Melbourne: Paul Selar, Australian Arts Review Review – Sivan Rubenstein & Colleagues, Dance No 2, London: Matthew Paluch, Gramilano News - Four Dancers promoted to Principal at New York City Ballet: Gia Kourlas, NY Times News - Mothers and babies audition in Leeds for multi-generational Rapunzel: Safi Bugel, Guardian RAD Podcast – Why Dance Matters: Episode 1: NYCB’s Tiler Peck: RAD Who knew? - Eyes Forward: Ballet dancers’ clever trick to balance their turns: Eva Amsen, Forbes

Links – Sunday 26 February 2023 Review – New York City Ballet, The Sleeping Beauty (Martins), New York: Mary Cargill, Danceviewtimes Reviews – Dada Masilo, The Sacrifice, London: Teresa Guerreiro, Culture Whisper Maryam Philpott, Reviews Hub Review – Katherina Radeva, 40/40, London: Matthew Paluch, Gramilano Review – Cincinnati Ballet, Alice (in Wonderland) (Webre), Cincinnati: April Deocariza, Fjord Review Feature - Choreographer Jamar Roberts' new work for LA Dance Project: Steven Vargas, LA Times News - BalletMet to bring a program of 3 Premieres: Staff, Ballet Herald News - Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s artistic director to step down in 2025, ending 50-year career: Amy-Ellen Prentice, Global News Feature - The last dance? Inside the Vienna Ball: Rosanna Dodds, Financial Times

Links – Thursday 23 February 2023 Review – Royal Ballet, Pam Tanowitz Evening, London: Phoebe Roberts, Fjord Review Review – Ballet Icons Gala, 2023, London: Deborah Weiss, Bachtrack Review – Birmingham Royal Ballet, Swan Lake (Wright/Samsova), Birmingham: Jonathan Gray, Gramilano Tour Reviews – Rambert, Peaky Blinders - The Redemption of Thomas Shelby, Northampton: Joe Longden, Reviews Hub David Mead, SeeingDance Tour Review – Dada Masilo Company, The Sacrifice, Brighton: Jonathan Gray, Gramilano Stream Review – Pacific Northwest Ballet, Giselle: Rachel Howard, Fjord Review Review – Mark Morris Group, The Look of Love, Berkeley: David E Moreno, CultureVulture Film Review – Creature: English National Ballet/Asif Kapadia/Akram Khan: Peter Bradshaw, Guardian Preview - Akram Khan Company, Jungle Book Reimagined, London: Teresa Guerreiro, Culture Whisper Interview - Tiler Peck, Creative Spirit: Rachael Moloney, Fjord Review News - Joyce Theater expands to the East Village: Robin Pogrebin, NY Times News - National Ballet of Canada 2023-2024 Season: Staff, Ballet Herald News - Dutch National Ballet's Swan Lake Anticipated Opening: Staff, Ballet Herald News - Colorado Ballet 2023-2024 Season: Staff, Ballet Herald Book Review – Alice Robb, Don’t Think, Dear: Fiona Sturges, Guardian Opinion - I’ve worked front of house in 40 theatres – and audiences behaved terribly in all of them: Bethany North, Guardian

A footnote, and it's no excuse but - circa 1958, when Bill Haley and the Comets did a UK Tour, there was jiving in the aisles in many places. There certainly was in Glasgow, for I was there to see it and, as I recall, after some early press reporting, it had become pretty much expected. As I say, a Footnote.

I see that my youth has come to haunt me!

Links – Saturday 18 February 2023 Obituary – Rena Gluck, brought modern dance to Israel: Nrian Schaefer, NY Times Reviews – Birmingham Royal Ballet, Swan Lake (Wright/Samsova), Birmingham: Rachel Elderkin, The Stage Polly Watton, Redbrick Janet McNulty, BalletcoForum Review – Joffrey Ballet, Anna Karenina, Chicago: Hedy Weiss, WTTW News Review – New York City Ballet, The Sleeping Beauty (Martins), New York: Mary Cargill, Danceviewtimes Preview – Oregon Ballet Theatre, La Sylphide, Portland: Martha Ullman West, Oregon Artswatch Feature - Chyrstyn Fentroy, Principal at Boston Ballet: Lydia Murray, Dance Magazine Feature - Living Architecture: Yulia Skogoreva and contemporary dance photography: Paul McInnes, Fjord Review News - Philadelphia Ballet to present Angel Corella’s The Sleeping Beauty: Staff, Philly Voice News – Ballet Manila: 25th Season announced: Jessica Pag-iwayan, Manila Bulletin Book Review - Don’t Think, Dear: On Loving and Leaving Ballet by Alice Robb: Debra Craine, The Times

Links – Friday 17 February 2023 News – Hanover: Marco Goecke fired: Francesca Gillett, BBC News Kate Connelly, The Guardian Alex Marshall, NY Times (and elsewhere!) Full Opera House Statement (in English) BalletcoForum Reviews – Birmingham Royal Ballet, Swan Lake (Wright/Samsova), Birmingham: Mark Brown, Telegraph David Mead, SeeingDance Maria Cusine, Express & Star Review – Maribor Ballet, Romeo and Juliet (Clug), Rite of Spring (Clug), Hong Kong: Kevin Ng, HK Economic Journal Catchup Review – New York City Ballet, Copland Dance Episodes, New York: Leigh Witchel, dancelog.nyc Review – Joffrey Ballet, Anna Karenina, Chicago: Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune Reviews – Holly Blakey & Others, Cowpuncher My Ass, London: Teresa Guerreiro, Culture Whisper Neil Norman, The Stage Matthew Paluch, Gramilano (+ thoughts on Hanover)

Sim: PeterS has it right and my friend's passport expires some 6-7 months after the 10-year Issue anniversary. That said, he got away with it a month or so back for another visit, so maybe much depends on the awareness of the person on the departure gate! https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/eu-passport-renewal-expiry-rules-uk-aRaVG6j5PpyJ

But do be aware that to travel into Europe now that the UK is a 'Third Country,' and regardless of your passport's Expiry Date, you will not be permitted to travel if its Issue Date is more than 10 years ago. A friend's weekend plans in Austria unravelled at the gate over exactly this last Friday.

Links – Thursday 16 February 2023 News - An international lineup returns for Jacob’s Pillow’s 2023 Season: Rachel Sherman, NY Times Feature – Woman of Words: Royal New Zealand Ballet to celebrate Katherine MansfieldL Rebecca Fox, Otago Daily Times Feature - I’m a dancer who sometimes uses a wheelchair – people should just get over it: Kate Stanforth, Guardian Film Feature – Asif Kapadia’s Creature: ‘All of the crew were into dance. Even our electricians went to the ballet’: Tara Brady, Irish Times Review – Katherina Radeva, “40/40” (A solo ode to middle-age), Glasgow: Lorna Irvine, Fjord Review Review – American Modern Opera Company, How to Fall Apart, New York: Erin Bomboy, Bachtrack News - John Neumeier's The Little Mermaid awaits Its Chicago premiere: Staff, Ballet Herald News - LaScalaTv, La Scala's new streaming platform, is now live: Graham Spicer, Gramilano Ukraine: Pro-Ukraine demonstrators denounce Joffrey Ballet’s Anna Karenina: Kade Heather, Chicago Sun-Times Promoter changes name of ballet company after objections from Ukrainian embassy: Ronan McGreevy, Irish Times

Ahead of tomorrow's Links: Asif Kapadia’s Creature: ‘All of the crew were into dance. Even our electricians went to the ballet’ – The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/2023/02/15/all-of-the-creature-crew-were-into-dance-even-our-electricians-went-to-the-ballet/

I don't have the Diana Rigg compendium mentioned above, but can recommend Nicolas Slonimsky's Lexicon of Musical Invective - a collection of critical responses to various composers down the years. Not surprisingly, there are quite a number of reactions to that first night of Rite of Spring in May 1913.

The story as reported by the Daily Record: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/brawling-thugs-stop-jersey-boys-29081043

Links – Wednesday 15 February 2023 Review – New York City Ballet, Winter Season, New York: Gia Kourlas, New York Times Reviews – West Australian Ballet, IN Cognito: STRUT Dance, 10 Duets on a Theme of Rescue, Perth: Isabelle Leclezio, Dance Australia Preview - Royal Ballet, Cinderella (Ashton), London: Teresa Guerreiro, Culture Whisper Film Review - Revival: A Meditation on Aging, Dance, & Community: Karen Hildebrand, Fjord Review Feature – Joffrey Ballet: Dancing Into a Minefield? Neil Steinberg, Chicago Sun-Times News - Wayne McGregor appointed President of Elmhurst Ballet School: A A Cristi, BWW UK Regional News - Birmingham Royal Ballet selected for Bloomberg Philanthropies' Digital Accelerator Programme: Stephi Wild, BWW UK Regional And in light of the Hanover incident, further proof that a Critic’s lot is not always a happy one: Smeared with dog mess for a bad review? That’s life for a critic: Ed Potton, The Times Punched, insulted and excoriated in song … our critics on the artists who hit back: Lyndsey Winship and others, Guardian

Indeed, having just said that she'd be on, the News followed with a clip. Sorry about that.

Links – Tuesday 14 February 2023 Review – Czech National Ballet, Onegin, Prague: Jonathan Gray, Bachtrack Review – United Ukrainian Ballet, Giselle (Ratmansky), Washington DC: Leigh Witchel, dancelog.nyc Review – Birmingham Royal Ballet, An Evening of Music and Dance, Birmingham: David Mead, SeeingDance Review – Circa, Sacre, Boston: Jessica Lockhart, Arts Fuse Preview - English National Ballet, Creature, London: Teresa Guerreiro, Culture Whisper Preview – Houston Ballet, Romeo and Juliet (Welch), Houston: Margaret Downing, Houston Press Preview – Perth Festival: Laura Boynes and Equations of a Falling Body: Isabelle Leclezio, Dance Australia News – Oregon Ballet Theatre: Danielle Rowe to be new Artistic Director: Bob Hicks, Oregon Artswatch News – Cruise the Adriatic with Paris Opera Ballet: Staff, Ballet Herald News: Ukrainian embassy warns of ‘impostor’ ballet company due to tour Ireland: Ronan McGreevy, Irish Times Chicago's Joffrey Ballet faces backlash over Russian ballet programming: Staff, BWW Finally - Should anyone still be unaware of the incident in Hanover mentioned in yesterday’s Links, you can immerse yourself: Here

Just heard that the BBC Today programme on will have the critic on at some point before 9am this morning.

Well, the story has spanned the globe now and has reached Hong Kong via New York ( and no doubt other places I've not noticed).

I'd wondered how long it would take for the UK papers to catch onto this story. Not too long, it seems: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/f9870d80-ab8d-11ed-9cb3-80326348937b?shareToken=b4c5ac252e790b47c7b4d3af3cdd1563