Ian Macmillan

Links – Sunday, 15 March, 2015 Review – English National Ballet, Modern Masters Triple Bill, London: Luke Jennings, Observer (+ Vincent Dance Theatre) Feature – National Ballet of Canada and Chris Wheeldon: Martha Schabas, Globe and Mail Review – Australian Ballet, Giselle (Gielgud), Melbourne: Michelle Potter, DanceTabs Reviews – Bolshoi Ballet, Hamlet (Poklitaru), Moscow: Various via Ismene Brown Review – Ballet de Lorraine, Shaker Loops, Cover, London: Siobhan Murphy, DanceTabs Review – St Petersburg Ballet Theatre, Swan Lake, Paris: Jeffery Taylor, Sunday Express Preview – Boston Ballet, Black Cake (van Manem): Karen Campbell, Boston Globe Review – Smuin Ballet, ‘Untamed’ Mixed Bill, Walnut Creek: Ann Murphy, San Jose Mercury News Review – Yorke Dance Project, Figure Ground Bill, London: Jann Parry, DanceTabs Review – Iberian Suite Festival: Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras, Voces, Suite Flamenca, DC: Oksana Khadarina, DanceTabs Preview – Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Odetta, LA: Joseph Carman, LA Times Review – Hubbard Street Dance, I am Mister B + others, Chicago: Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times Review – SJDanceCo, The Moor’s Pavane, Tango Fatale, others, SF: Allan Ulrich, SF Chronicle Review – Chicago Repertory Ballet, Mixed Bill, Chicago: Laura Molzahn, Chicago Tribune Review – 2Faced Dance Company, Dreaming in Code, London: Sara Veale, DanceTabs News – Breakin’ Convention 2015 Lineup, London: Clare Evans, Londondance Review – Wim Vandekeybus/Ultima Vez, What the Body Does Not Remember, Salford: David Upton, BTG Review – J-F LaPorte/Maria Kefirova, In Memory of a Shadow, Montreal: Victor Swoboda, Montreal Gazette

So, that looks like Swan on a String, as ever - but no Dying Swan? Surely not?

To be honest, I didn't remember all of the first-round story lines, and didn't find that a problem. Enjoyable, certainly. With possibly some hooks for a third round, though probably without Maggie Smith's character?

Links – Monday, 9 March, 2015 Preview – Pacific Northwest Ballet, The Vertiginous Thrill of Forsythe, Seattle: Michael Upchurch, Seattle Times Review – Hong Kong Dance Company, The Legend of Mulan, NY: Gia Kourlas, NY Times Reviews – Rasta Thomas Dance Company, Romeo and Juliet, London: Graham Watts, DanceTabs Jeffery Taylor, Sunday Express Review – National Ballet of Canada, Allegro Brillante, Carousel, Man in Black, Chroma, Toronto: Martha Schabas, Globe and Mail Review – San Francisco Ballet, Program 4: Dances at a Gathering, Hummingbird, SF: Janice Berman, SF Classical Voice Review – New York City Ballet, Pictures, Rōdē,ō, Mercurial Manoeuvres, NY: Oksana Khadarina, Fjord Review Review – Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, Indigo Rose, Ten Duets, Violet Kid; Orbo Novo, Adelaide: Alan Brissenden, The Australian Review – Rambert, Subterrain, Rooster, Frames, Glasgow: Mary Brennan, Herald Tour Review – Phoenix Dance Theatre, Mixed Programme, 2015: Luke Jennings, Observer Feature – Resolution! 2015 Roundup, London: All Reviewers, The Place Review – Bill T Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company & SITI Company, A Rite, LA: Mark Swed, LA Times Interview – Bill T Jones: Victoria Looseleaf, Fjord Review Review – Dorrance Dance, The Blues Project, DC: Rebecca Ritzel, Washington Post Review – Peggy Spina Tap Company, Mixed Bill, NY: Brian Seibert, NY Times Feature – Fuzión, Sarasota’s Contemporary Dance Company: Carrie Seidman, Sarasota Herald-Tribune Feature – Turf Feinz, staking out turf on BART, Bay Area: Mike Kepka, SF Chronicle Preview – Emio Greco & Peieter C Scholten, Rocco, Montreal: Victor Swoboda, Montreal Gazette

I would, of course, be delighted to hear that Cathy Marston was to be commissioned for some substantial work - but with the McGregor, Wheeldon, Scarlett trinity in place, I accept that will certainly not happen. And hopefully, there will be no need yet for any farewell piece for Ms Yanowsky.

Annaliesey: It's disappointing to read you are still having difficulties with downloading those RAD videos. My wife had essentially similar problems over a year ago and we gave up in the end. However, later last year there was an update to the RAD App and, on trying again, all went well and, in her case, with them safely downloaded to her iPad, they are now in regular use without difficulty. Why that infuriating 'wifi connection not good enough' message should have reappeared, I really cannot say. For what it's worth, there was a thread on this back then: http://www.balletcoforum.com/index.php?/topic/5841-any-problems-with-rad-video-downloads/?hl=videos

It appears that, innocently but ignorantly, I've set a hare running by posting that link. Had Central School not been mentioned in it so prominently, I would not have done so. And for what it's worth, similar pieces appear to have been run in the Evening Standard and Independent, both with ballet-related photos, and the Central reference as the leading 'fact.' The authorities at the School may therefore be well aware of it all. I would assume that it all comes from a Press Release from some company involved in the sale or acquisition of the Paris Gardens site. However, and again for what it's worth, this appears on the School's homepage: Thank you to everyone who supported Central in The Big Give’s Christmas Challenge in order to raise funds for our Satellite School in Southwark. I intend to say no more on the matter!

Links – Wednesday, 4 March, 2015 Feature – Alexei Ratmansky & his new ABT Beauty: Judith Mackrell, Guardian Blog Preview – Russian Ballet Icons Gala, 2015, London: DanceTabs Feature – Evan McKie, National Ballet of Canada, and Chroma: Why I really dance: Globe and Mail Feature – McGee Maddox, National Ballet of Canada, and Johnny Cash: Penelope Ford, Fjord Review Review – San Francisco Ballet, Program 4: Dances at a Gathering, Hummingbird, SF: Rita Felciano, Danceviewtimes Interview – Luke Ingham, SFB Principal: Sean Martinfield, Huffington Post Review – Ballet Nacional de España, Grito, Suite Sevilla, London: Graham Watts, Londondance Review – MalPaso Dance Company, Under Fire, Despedida, NY: Marina Harss, DanceTabs Preview – San Diego City Ballet, Balanchine Spectacular, San Diego: Kris Eitland, La Jolla Light Preview – Miguel Gutierrez/CounterPulse & Gravity, Age & Beauty Part 1, SF: Mary Ellen Hunt, SF Chronicle

Noting comments etc, above, on the state of the Central School premises - with which I'm not familiar - users may be interested in this link: https://bdaily.co.uk/environment/03-03-2015/russian-billionaire-acquires-southwark-ballet-school-accommodation-for-61-million/ What significance, if any, this acquisition may have for hope of improvement or for anything else, I leave to you. Edit: I've now found that there are other, essentially similar, links around, but have seen none that add to what's here.

Links – Tuesday, 3 March, 2015 Feature – Female choreographers: further thoughts: Luke Jennings, Blog Review – Royal Ballet & Royal Opera, Gala – Life Reimagined, London: Jann Parry, DanceTabs Reviews – San Francisco Ballet, Program4: Dances at a Gathering, Hummingbird, SF: Janos Gereben, SF Examiner Jaime Robles, Bachtrack Review – San Francisco Ballet, Program 3: Mixed Bill, SF: Janice Berman, SF Classical Voice Review – Birmingham Royal Ballet, Coppélia, Birmingham: Hedy Mühleck, Bachtrack Reviews – Compañía Manuel Liñán, Nómada, London: Lynette Halewood, DanceTabs Hanna Weibye, Arts Desk Gallery - Foteini Christofilopoulou, DanceTabs Review – Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, Rice, Singapore: Joy Wang Xin Yuan, Bachtrack Feature – Francesco Ventriglia, RNZB’s new Director: Bess Manson, Dominion Post Feature – Paul Taylor and his legacy plans: Phil Chan, Huffington Post Review – Houston Ballet, Romeo and Juliet (Welch), Houston: Katricia Lang, BWW Reviews – Boston Ballet, Lady of the Camellias (Caniparoli), Boston: Kathryn Maus, Bachtrack Victoria Zhuang, Harvard Crimson Review – Ronald K Brown/Evidence:A Dance Company, Triple Bill, NY: Deborah Jowitt, Arts Journal/DanceBeat Review – Compagnie Marie Chouinard, Gymnopédies, Henro Michaux – Mouvements, Vancouver: Janet Smith, Straight.com News – Juan Gil promoted at Sarasota Ballet: Carrie Seidman, Sarasota Herald-Tribune Review – Platform 2015: Dancers, Buildings and People in the Streets, NY: Leigh Witchel, Danceviewtimes Preview – Veronica Paeper, A Spartacus of Africa, Joburg: Staff, Artslink Review – Boy Blue Entertainment, A Night with Boy Blue, London: Samantha Whitaker, Londondance

Links – Monday, 2 March, 2015 Obituary – Grant Strate, Dancer, Choreographer, Academic: Deirdre Kelly, Globe and Mail Review – Mark Morris Dance Group, Grand Duo, Pacific, Words, Tamil Film Songs in Stereo, DC: Sarah Kaufman, Washington Post Preview – National Ballet of Canada, Allegro Brillante Mixed Bill, Toronto: Michael Crabb, Toronto Star Review – Northern Ballet, Romeo and Juliet (Maillot), Edinburgh: Mary Brennan, Herald Review – New York City Ballet, Romeo and Juliet (Martins), NY: Michael Popkin, Danceviewtimes Review – Ballet Nacional de España, Grito, Suite Sevilla, London: Siobhan Burke, DanceTabs Review – Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, milonga, NY: Marianne Adams, Danceviewtimes 5Q & A – Alexander Whitley, Choreographer & Director: Bruce Marriott, DanceTabs Review – Jack Ferver, Chambre, DC: Rebecca Ritzel, Washington Post Review – Eleesha Drennan, Channel Rose, London: Judith Mackrell, Guardian Review – Brian Brooks Moving Company, Mixed Bill, Boston: Jeffrey Gantz, Boston Globe Film Feature – Tackling Romeo: Valerie Lawson, Dancelines Review – 2Faced Dance Company, Dreaming in Code, Leeds: Mark Smith, BTG Review – The Bang Group, Tap Lab, NY: Brian Seibert, NY Times Preview – Vicky Shick Dance, Pathétique, Miniatures in Detail, NY: Jack Anderson, NY Times Preview – William Yong, Vox:lumen, Toronto: Michael Crabb, Toronto Star

Links – Sunday, 1 March, 2015 Review – San Francisco Ballet, Program 4: Dances at a Gathering, Hummingbird, SF: Carla Escoda, Huffington Post Review – San Francisco Ballet, Program 3: Variations for Two Couples, Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude, Manifesto, Shades, SF: RitaFelciano, Danceviewtimes Review – Mikhailovsky Ballet & Vaganova Academy, Class Concert, St Petersburg: Jeffery Taylor, Sunday Express Reviews – Royal Ballet, Draft Works, London: Luke Jennings, Observer Graham Watts, Londondance Review – Northern Ballet, Romeo and Juliet (Maillot), Edinburgh: Justine Blundell, Edinburgh Guide Review – Sarasota Ballet, Apollo, Jazz Calendar, Raymonda Act III, Sarasota: Carrie Seidman, Sarasota Herald-Tribune Review – Houston Ballet, Romeo and Juliet (Welch), Houston: Molly Glentzer, Houston Chronicle Preview – Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Petite Mort, Sandpaper Ballet, The Concert, Pittsburgh: Sara Bauknecht, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Review – Aurélien Bory/Groupe Acrobatique de Tanger, Azimut, Adelaide: Jane Howard, Observer Review – Shen Yun Performing Arts, Melbourne: Gordana Andjelic-Davila, Australian Stage

Black and Blue, and here: http://www.romanoriginals.co.uk/ And about to be made in Gold and White? http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/style/560897/The-dress-black-blue-gold-white-Roman-Originals

Links – Saturday, 28 February, 2015 Preview – American Ballet Theatre, Sleeping Beauty (Ratmansky), NY: Michael Cooper, NY Times Reviews – Northern Ballet, Romeo and Juliet (Maillot), Edinburgh: Mark Brown, Telegraph Kelly Apter, Scotsman Thom Dibdin, The Stage Review – San Francisco Ballet, Program 4: Dances at a Gathering, Hummingbird, SF: Allan Ulrich, SF Chronicle Reviews – San Francisco Ballet, Program 3: Shades, Vertiginous Thrill, Manifesto, Variations, SF: Janos Gereben, SF Examiner Carla Escoda, Huffington Post Terez Rose, Bachtrack Q and A – Myles Thatcher on Manifesto: Allan Ulrich, SF Chronicle Preview – Sydney Dance Company, Quintett (Forsythe), Sydney: Sharon Verghis, The Australian Review – Houston Ballet, Romeo and Juliet (Welch), Houston: Adam Castañeda, Houston Press Review – Boston Ballet, Lady of the Camellias, Boston: Jeffrey Gantz, Boston Globe News – Studio Wayne McGregor to open in London next year: Staff, Londondance Review – Royal Ballet, Draft Works, London: Shelley Pinto-Duschinsky, Bachtrack Reviews – Ballet Nacional de España, Suite Sevilla, London: Sanjoy Roy, Guardian Patrick Sawer, Telegraph Gallery - Foteini Christofilopoulou, DanceTabs Review – Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, milonga, NY: Siobhan Burke, NY Times Documentary – Ballet 422: Sarah Kaufman, Washington Post Feature – Sarasota Ballet – Behind the Scenes: Carrie Seidman, Sarasota Herald-Tribune Review – Cairo Opera Ballet, Cinderella (Kamel), Cairo: Sina Stieding, Cairo Scene Review – Nutshell Dance, Physical Science, London: Jeffrey Gordon Baker, Londondance Review – Chutzpah Festival: Vanessa Goodman & Idan Sharabi, Vancouver: Janet Smith, Straight.com Preview – Nothing to Lose & Body/Language, Melbourne: Andrew Stephens, The Age Next Week: In London & Bournemouth: Judith Mackrell, Guardian

From today's Links, Sarah Kaufman's book review for the Washington Post may be apposite here: LIKE A BOMB GOING OFF - Leonid Yakobson and Ballet as Resistance in Soviet Russia - By Janice Ross http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/like-a-bomb-going-off-by-janice-ross/2015/02/26/0e443088-bc5c-11e4-bdfa-b8e8f594e6ee_story.html

All normal here.

Links – Friday, 20 February, 2015 Review – New York City Ballet, Square Dance, Harlequinade, NY: Marina Harss, DanceTabs Feature – New York City Ballet, Rōdē,ō, Four Dance Episodes: Eliza Minden, Sara Mearns, Andrea Selby, Marilyn Lawrence, ApollinaireScherr, Robert Johnson, Laura Jacobs, Leigh Witchel, Joel Lobenthal: The Barre Flies Review – Birmingham Royal Ballet, Serenade, Lyric Pieces, In the Upper Room, Birmingham: Mark Monahan, Telegraph Review – New York Theatre Ballet, Double Andante, Cross Currents, There, and Back Again, Alice-in-Wonderland Follies, NY: Alastair Macaulay, NY Times Apollinaire Scherr, Financial Times News – Yury Yanowsky retiring in Boston: Jeffrey Gantz, Boston Globe Review – Ballet Black, To Fetch a Pail of Water?, Depouillement, Second Coming, London: Bruce Marriott, DanceTabs Preview – Northern Ballet, Romeo and Juliet (Maillot), Edinburgh: Mary Brennan, Herald Review – Nederlands Dans Theater 2, Quad Bill, SF: Rita Felciano, Danceviewtimes Features – The BBC’s Get Creative Campaign: Staff, BBC News Mark Brown, Guardian Review – Gala Flamenca, London: Graham Watts, Londondance Review – Stalker Theatre, Pixel Mountain, Melbourne: Jordan Vincent, The Age Reviews – Resolution! 2015, London: Marianne Tuckman & Keith Watson, The Place Anima(L)[us], Between Ellie Harulow & Lauren Anthony, Major Changes Jennifer Fox, A Chair is a Piece of Furniture Review – Wen Wei Dance, Made in China, Vancouver: Janet Smith, Straight.com Q and A – James Welsby of Phantom Limbs, Melbourne: Penelope Ford, Fjord Review

Ismene Brown has joined in on this in The Spectator: http://www.spectator.co.uk/arts/arts-feature/9446622/will-the-real-swan-lake-please-stand-up/

Links – Thursday, 19 February, 2015 RB Feature – Will the real Swan Lake please stand up: Ismene Brown, Spectator Reviews – New York City Ballet, Romeo + Juliet (Martins), NY: Lauren Gallagher, DanceTabs Sondra Forsyth, BWW Review – Mark Morris Dance Group, Mozart Dances, Perth: Deborah Jowitt, Blog (Scroll down) Review – Martha Graham Dance Company, Shape & Design, NY: Robert Greskovic, WSJ News – Joffrey Ballet announces new Wheeldon Nutcracker for 2016: Roslyn Sulcas, NY Times Laura Molzahn, Chicago Tribune Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times Review – Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch, Two Cigarettes in the Dark, Paris: Patricia Boccadoro, Culturekiosque Review – New York Theater Ballet, Cinderella (Mahler), NY: Samantha Bancroft, BWW Review - Gala Flamenca, London: Louise Levene, Financial Times Gallery - Foteini Christofilopoulou, DanceTabs Review – Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Mixed Bill, Sarasota: Carrie Seidman, Sarasota Herald-Tribune Review – Ballet Arizona, Napoli, Phoenix: Leigh Witchel, Danceviewtimes Review – ‘Move It’ Dance Event, London: Samantha Whittaker, Londondance Preview – Alberta Ballet, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, Edmonton: Stephen Hunt, Edmonton Journal Review – Introdans, MODERNlive Mixed Bill, The Hague: Isabella Zijp, Bachtrack Features – Black Choreographers Festival, Bay Area: Rachel Howard, SF Chronicle Andrea Pflaumer, SF Examiner Preview – The Trocks reach Salt Lake City: Katherine Pioli, SLC Weekly Review – Resolution! 2015, London: Lilia Prier Tisdall & Keith Watson, The Place Joelene English Dance Theatre, February 11th 1963 What Is Written Dance Company, Unsettled Alex Broadie, Apocalypse Y Review – Sadler’s Wells Associates, Triple Bill, London: Sara Veale, Fjord Review Review – Kyle Abraham, The Watershed, When the Wolves Came In, LA: Victoria Looseleaf, Fjord Review News – Anna Teresa de Keersmaeker receives Austrian Arts Award: Alan Hope, Flanders Today Meanwhile, back at the top with NYCB: A few words on audience behaviour: Oliver Burkeman, Guardian

Oliver Burkeman who is, I think, something of a psychologist, and who writes for the Guardian, has just had an experience whilst watching New York City Ballet: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/oliver-burkeman-column/2015/feb/18/put-your-phone-away-be-quiet-theatre-evolution

Of interest - Observer critic Luke Jennings, a frequent and determined advocate of female choreographers, Tweeted earlier today: "@LukeJennings1: Sorry to strike a sour note, but "all female" choreographic events are not the answer." His remark has gathered some support. Personally - whilst 'All female' is not, of course, 'the answer,' it is, at least, 'a response.'

Aileen: I certainly had no impression of the Company being in a rut when I saw it in Samodurov's R&J just under a year ago: http://www.balletcoforum.com/index.php?/topic/6053-royal-ballet-of-flanders-romeo-juliet-samodurov/?p=82355 Nonetheless, something was clearly amiss, as evidenced by Assis Carreiro's unsought departure on Day 1 of the next season, not many weeks later - and my guess is that the reason was probably not to be found on the stage but in machinations of some kind out in the background. One day that may all become clearer.

From today's Links, a translated version of an interview with Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and some background on the situation at Royal Ballet of Flanders: http://www.flanderstoday.eu/art/all-eyes-dance-world-sidi-larbi-cherkaoui

Links – Tuesday, 17 February, 2015 Feature/Interview – Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui & Royal Ballet of Flanders: Charlotte De Somviele, De Standaard via Flanders Today Review – Ballet Arizona, Napoli, Phoenix: Alastair Macaulay, NY Times Review – Martha Graham Dance Company, Three Mixed Bills, NY: Siobhan Burke, NY Times Review – New York City Ballet, ‘All Bach’ Program, NY: Aaron Fallon, BWW News – Kenneth Tindall of Northern Ballet announces retirement: Staff, Yorkshire Post Interview – Rafaela Carrasco/Ballet Flamenco de Andalucía: Carmel Smith, Londondance Review – Douglas Dunn & Dancers, Aidos, NY: Deborah Jowitt, Arts Journal/DanceBeat Preview – Hubert Essakow/Mbulelo Ndabeni/Tamarin Stott/Kirill Burlov, 1898, London: Carmel Smith, Londondance Review – Small Stage point 5, A somewhat mixed program, Vancouver: Alexander Vardy, Straight.com

Before this goes much further, could someone who believes that Derek Deane has ownership of Ashton's Swan Lake work perhaps provide some harder evidence for that than has been adduced thus far. I see no sign of anything of the kind on the 'Owners' section of the Ashton Foundation site, here: http://www.frederickashton.org.uk/owners.html If one follows the link to the Anthony Russell-Roberts site, it appears that ownership of the 1946 Swan Lake elements is vested in him: http://ashtonballets.com/?page_id=32 So, are there later Ashton elements not covered in either of these sites?