Ian Macmillan

Links – Monday, November 17, 2014 Obituary – Nina Timofeyeva: Judith Cruickshank, Guardian Review – Mikhailovsky Ballet, Flames of Paris, NY: Brian Seibert, NY Times Reviews – Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Shostakovich, Rasa, SF: Janice Berman, SF Classical Voice Rita Felciano, Danceviewtimes Ann Murphy, SJ Mercury News Review – ABT Studio Company, Little Improvisations, Hush & excerpts, NY: Gia Kourlas, NY Times Feature – Propagating a Balanchine legacy: Pia Catton, WSJ Previews – An American in Paris (Wheeldon), Paris: AFP, The Local Henry Samuel, Telegraph Feature – An Irish National Ballet Reunion: Mary Leland, Irish Times

Links – Sunday, November 16, 2014 Review – Royal Ballet, Ceremony of Innocence, Age of Anxiety, Aeternum, London: Luke Jennings, Observer Review – Mikhailovsky Ballet, Flames of Paris, NY: Marina Harss, DanceTabs Feature – Leon Bakst, The Ballet Artist: MIlad Doroudian, Jewish Journal Exhibition – Jonah Bokaer, October 7, 1944, New York: Rebecca Milzoff, NY Times News – Nikolai Tsiskaridze to be confirmed as Vaganova Academy Rector: Ismene Brown, Blog Next Week: – Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Season at the Joyce, NY: Brian Schaefer, NY TImes Review – Dance Proms 2014, London: Bruce Marriott, DanceTabs Preview (May 2015) – Rambert Ballet & Tredegar Town Band, London: 4barsrest Feature – Dancing Cheek to Cheek through British History: Lucy Worsley, Telegraph Feature – Narrating Wind in the Willows: Alan Titchmarsh, Sunday Express Preview Q&A – SFB Dancers and DanceFAR: Claudia Bauer, SF Chronicle

Links – Saturday, November 15, 2014 Preview – Mark Morris Dance Group, Mozart Dances, Perth: Deborah Jones, The Australian Review – Boston Ballet, Swan Lake (Nissinen), Boston: Dale Brauner, Danceviewtimes Reviews – Cullberg Ballet, Plateau Effect, London: Jann Parry, DanceTabs Sarah Crompton, Telegraph Lyndsey Winship, Evening Standard Katherine Colombus, The Stage Vera Liber, BTG Gallery - Foteini Christofilopoulou, DanceTabs Review – Batsheva Dance Company, Sadeh21, NY: Deborah Jowitt, Arts Journal/DanceBeat Review – Akram Khan, DESH, Salford: David Upton, BTG Interview – Tristan Dyer, Royal Ballet Soloist: Unattributed, C&V Sessions Coming Up: - London & Brighton: Judith Mackrell, Guardian - Houston Ballet & MET Dance: Molly Glentzer, Houston Chronicle Review – Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch, Vollmond, Ottawa: Paula Citron, Globe and Mail Review – Jasmin Vardimon, PARK, London: Sara Veale, Fjord Review Review – zero visibility corp., …it’s only a rehearsal, London: Lise Smith, DanceTabs Review – Elements Contemporary Ballet, Sun King, Chicago: Laura Molzahn, Chicago Tribune Review – IOU Dance 3, Mixed Bill, Sydney: Jill Sykes, Sydney Morning Herald Review – Hilary Easton, I Am With You, NY: Brian Seibert, NY TImes Review – Ivy Baldwin, Oxbow, NY: Gia Kourlas, NY TImes Review – Jaro Vinarsky & Marek Mensik, Animalinside, NY: Siobhan Burke, NY Times Review – Mariana Collado & Carlos Chamorro, Flamenco Program, DC: Sarah Halzack, Washington Post Review – TU Dance, One, High Heel Blues, Hikari, Miami: Jordan Levin, Miami Herald Review – Fact/SF, Open Source, Bolero, SF: Allan Ulrich, SF Chronicle Feature – Jasmyn Fyffe & Natasha Powell, Gimme One Riddim, Toronto: Michael Crabb, Toronto Star And as we start to gather in the seasonal Nut harvest: Film Review – Getting to The Nutcracker: Sheri Linden, LA Times

Around mid-afternoon today, ENB were asked on Twitter by DanceTabs: @DanceTabs: .@ENBallet @MKTheatre Why the change? Why is Alina Cojocaru not able to make her scheduled appearance on Saturday? Unless I've missed something, some 8 hours later 'Answer came there none.' And this from an outfit that's normally pretty well up there on the Social Media front.

ENB has just Tweeted that Lauretta Summerscales will replace Ms Cojocaru on Saturday. On the reason - a matinee in MK or a gig at The Bolshoi? I guess that if you have, or are constructing, an international reputation, the choice there is what I believe is termed a 'no brainer' these days .... provided that your main company contract permits such flexibility.

Displacing the Duchess of Cambridge, Mrs Clooney and all others - a radiant Ms Guillem (In her Marguerite costume, I think) is this morning's Page 1 Girl for The Times. The accompanying article is a bit further back, on page 7.

Aileen: I don't know to what degree his helps answer your many questions, but this is one of Bruce M's Tweets during the Conference: "@DanceTabs: Rojo ducks question on reduction in UK touring but underlines international touring + that London has always featured much for ENB over years." I may be quite wrong, but it may well be that it's the rest of the UK that sees less of ENB, not London.

Sadler's Wells staged their annual Press Conference this morning, with lots of live Tweeting from Bruce Marriott and Graham Watts. By far the most significant announcement is that ENB will become the theatre's first Associate Company. ENB have released the following: http://blog.ballet.org.uk/sadlerswells-englishnationalballet-newrelationshipandwork/ And the Standard's Lyndsey Winship has been quick off the mark: http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/theatre/dances-new-double-act-sadlers-wells-and-english-national-ballet-form-new-partnership-9837741.html Not yet the end of performing at the Coliseum for ENB, it seems, but an interesting development in light of earlier discussions here about that relationship and its longer term viability. And the prospect of a new Giselle for the Company from Akram Khan is tantalising.

Links – Tuesday, November 4, 2014 Obituary – Beverly Blossom: Jennifer Dunning, NY Times Review – Dresden Semperoper Ballett, Steptext, Neue Suite, In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, Paris: Roslyn Sulcas, NY Times Reviews - Thomas Adès Bill, See the Music, Hear the Dance, London: Clement Crisp, Financial Times Lyndsey Winship, Evening Standard Sarah Frater, The Stage Cristina de Lucas, Bachtrack Review – American Ballet Theatre, Raymonda Divertissements, Seven Sonatas, Thirteen Diversions, NY: Mary Cargill, Danceviewtimes Feature – What happens to male ballet greats as they retire? Ismene Brown, Spectator Blogs Review – Ballet Boyz/The Talent, Serpent, Fallen, Santa Barbara: Melissa Lowenstein Block, Santa Barbara Independent News – UK National Dance Award Nominees, 2014: Judith Mackrell, Guardian Feature – Sylvie Guillem’s intensive training schedule: Casilda Grigg, Telegraph Review – Akram Khan Dance Company, iTMoi, Montreal: Pia Savoie, Bachtrack Interview – Jasmin Vardimon, Park, London: Carmel Smith, Londondance Review – Batsheva Dance Company, Sadeh21, LA: Jean Lenihan, Arts Journal/Fresh Pencil Review – Soledad Barrio/Noche Flamenca, Antigona, NY: Andrew Blackmore-Dobbyn, Bachtrack Review – Hong Kong Ballet, Gala Triple Bill, HK: Kevin Ng, Bachtrack Gallery – New choreographers at Sydney Dance Company: Peter Greig, Guardian Review – La Veronal, Siena, London: Jeffrey Gordon Baker, Londondance Review – Dance Umbrella 8-12 Triple Bill, London: Jeffrey Gordon Baker, Londondance Preview – Jamaican National Dance Theatre Company, Tribute to Rex, Toronto: Michael Crabb, Toronto Star Review – Ahmed Kathrada, 50/25, Canberra: Michelle Potter, The Age

Links – Monday, November 3, 2014 Review - Royal Ballet, Cassandra (Ondiviela), London: Louise Levene, Financial Times Reviews – Thomas Adès Bill, See the Music, Hear the Dance, London: Judith Mackrell, Guardian Review – Soledad Barrio/Noche Flamenca, Antigona, NY: Gia Kourlas, NY Times Preview – Pacific Northwest Ballet, Debonair (Peck), Seattle: Moira Macdonald, Seattle Times Reviews – Gisele Vienne, Kindertotenlieder, NY: Siobhan Burke, NY TImes Marianne Adams, Danceviewtimes Review – Mark Bruce Company, Dracula, Glasgow: Mary Brennan, Herald Review – BalletCollective, The Impulse Wants Company, Dear And Blackbirds, All That We See, NY: Michael Popkin, Danceviewtimes Review – VTDance, Occupy, DC: Sarah Halzack, Washington Post Feature – Uri Sands & TU Dance: Jordan Levin, Miami Herald Feature – The doctor will dance for you now: Lyndsey Winship, Guardian

Links – Sunday, November 2, 2014 Feature – Benjamin Millepied takes over at POB: Roslyn Sulcas, NY Times Review - Royal Ballet, Cassandra (Ondiviela), London: Jann Parry, DanceTabs Reviews – Thomas Adès Bill, See the Music, Hear the Dance, London: Sarah Crompton, Telegraph Lynette Halewood, DanceTabs Vera Liber, BTG Review – Boston Ballet, Swan Lake (Nissinen), Boston: Jeffrey Gantz, Boston Globe Review – Washington Ballet, Petite Mort, 5 Tangos, Polyphonia, DC: Oksana Khadarina, DanceTabs Preview – Grupo Corpo, Sem Mim, Parabelo, Edinburgh: Kelly Apter, Scotsman Feature – Arlene Phillips’ 10 Top Tips for choreographers: Alison Feeney-Hart, BBC News Preview – Ballet West, Giselle (Sklute), SL City: Heather Hayes, Deseret News Review – Dad Dancing, London: Luke Jennings, Observer Review – Dance COLEctive, Holding Ground, Chicago: Laura Molzahn, Chicago Tribune Review – Jump, London: Jeffery Taylor, Sunday Express News – Raving before breakfast? It seems so…: Gareth Rubin, Observer Preview – Sally Silvers (+ Alfred Hitchcock), Actual Size, NY: Gia Kourlas, NY Times Feature – A Dance writer dissects the All Blacks’ Haka: Laura Molzahn, RedeyeChicago A special story: Ginger Rogers bust, and how a commission was completed: Sarah Kaufman, Washington Post

I saw a streamed performance of Carmen from The Met earlier today, something I wouldn't normally mention here had not ex-RB dancer Martin Harvey turned up twice in PDD set to parts of the Overtures to Acts 1 and 3. His partner was Maria Kowroski and the choreography was by Chris Wheeldon. Quite tasty.

Links – Saturday, November 1, 2014 Preview – Mikhailovsky Ballet’s New York Debut: Lisa Snyder, DanceTabs Reviews -Royal Ballet, Cassandra (Ondiviela), London: Jenny Gilbert, Arts Desk Sanjoy Roy, Guardian Graham Watts, Londondance Gallery - Dave Morgan, DanceTabs Feature – Liam Scarlett on making The Age of Anxiety: Lyndsey Winship, Evening Standard Review – Dresden Semperoper Ballett, Steptext, Neue Suite, In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, Paris: Laura Cappelle, Financial Times Feature – Akram Khan & Israel Galván, Torobaka, London: Sarah Crompton, Telegraph Review – Ballet Collective/Troy Schumacher, Triple Bill, NY: Marina Harss, DanceTabs Review – Richard Alston Dance Company, Great Britten Quad Bill, Montclair, NJ: Alastair Macaulay, NY Times NY Review/ DC Preview – Martha Graham Dance Company, Appalachian Spring: Siobhan Burke, NY Times Roger Catlin, Washington Post Review – Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch, Kontakthof, NY: Lauren Gallagher, DanceTabs Feature – National Ballet of Canada casting Manon: Penelope Ford, Fjord Review Review – Thomas Adès Bill, See the Music, Hear the Dance, London: Hanna Weibye, Arts Desk -- Gallery - Foteini Christofilopoulou, DanceTabs Review – Mark Morris Dance Group, Mixed Bill, Aberdeen: Jane Robinson, Scotsman Feature – Bad Hair days at the Royal Ballet: Judith Mackrell, Guardian Next week – In London, Akram Khan/Israel Galvan, Royal Ballet: Judith Mackrell, Guardian Review – Le Patin Libre, Vertical Influences, London: Graham Watts, DanceTabs News – Peter Sellars to direct NY street dance event: Roslyn Sulcas, NY TImes Feature – Ohad Navarin/Batsheva Dance Company, Sadeh21: Susan Josephs, LA Times Tour Review – Liz Roche & Maiden Voyage, Neither Either, Belfast: Eve Rosato, The Stage News – Virtual Open Day for London Contemporary Dance School: Lucie Sheppard, Londondance Feature – Ballet doesn’t have to be torture: Caille Millner, SF Chronicle Quick Q and A – ABT Principal, Julie Kent: Carrie Seidman, Sarasota Herald-Tribune Feature – Charmene Yap & Cass Mortimer, New work for SDC: Jacqui Taffel, Sydney Morning Herald

Links – Friday, October 31, 2014 Review – American Ballet Theatre, Rondo Capriccioso, With a Chance of Rain, Raymonda Variations, Lilac Garden, Fancy Free. NY: Robert Gottlieb, NY Observer Review – American Ballet Theatre, Sinfonietta, With a Chance of Rain, Thirteen Diversions, NY: Michael Popkin, Danceviewtimes Review – American Ballet Theatre, Bach Partita, Gaîté Parisienne, NY: Brian Seibert, NY TImes Exhibition – ABT’s 75-year History, Library of Congress: Alastair Macaulay, NY Times News – The ROH’s ‘Open Up’ Refurb Proposals: Alex Beard, Evening Standard Review – Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch, Kontakthof, NY: Martha Sherman, Danceviewtimes Reviews – Mark Morris Dance Group, Words, Polka, A Wooden Tree, Jenn & Spencer, Italian Concerto, Aberdeen: Mary Brennan, Herald Alice Bain, Guardian Feature – Ludovic Ondiviela & Mara Galeazzi on making Cassandra: Siobhan Murphy, DanceTabs Preview – Sydney Dance Company, New Breed (5 Choreographers), Sydney: Elissa Blake, Sydney Morning Herald Feature – Graeme Murphy & Janet Vernon, The Heritage Collection, Sydney: Valerie Lawson, Dancelines Preview – Royal New Zealand Ballet, A Christmas Carol, Wellington: Carly Thomas, Dominion Post --- Makeup and Wigs: Amy Jackman, Dominion Post (+ Video) Review – Hong Kong Ballet, Serenade, Castrati, Swan Lake Act III, HK: Natasha Rogai, SCMP Review – Sasha Waltz & Guests, Impromptus, Berkeley: Rita Felciano, Danceviewtimes Review – Ballet Collective, Two World Premieres, NY: Alastair Macaulay, NY Times Reviews – Carmen de Lavallade, As I Remember It, DC: Celia Wren, Washington Post George Jackson, Danceviewtimes Rehearsal Gallery – Akram Khan & Israel Galván, Torobaka: Guardian Book Review – Ballet Spectacular – A children’s guide: Bruce Marriott, DanceTabs Reviews – Le Patin Libre, Vertical Influences, London: Judith Mackrell, Guardian Louise Levene, Financial Times Liz Hoggard, Evening Standard Lise Smith, Londondance News – Avertisers muscle in on the gritty grace of ballet dancers: Susan Krashinsky, Globe and Mail News – Antwerp dance classes to combat Parkinson’s: Daniel Shamaun, Flanders Today Review – Dances for a Small Stage, Mixed Bill, Vancouver: Alexander Varty, Straight.com And in case you missed them: News – Fernando Montaño’s Command Performance: Rebecca English, Daily Mail News – Norfolk’s Dancing Butcher: Mike Liggins, BBC News (+video)

The 'Tiger Son' link produced a piece all about the film 'Philomena' that I had rather enjoyed. I doubt that I'll be in any rush to see a documentary about someone whose story is still emerging.

A readability checker! Who else knew such a device existed? I can see hours of fun ahead - thus far, I'm placed consistently between the FT and Shakespeare. (Whereas the preceding text - less dense than the extracts tested thus far - is rated with President Obama!)

I don't get out much. Charlie? Alex Beard? "ROH redevelopment plans" - wasn't that all done about 15 years ago?

T4B: Your thread has proved a diversion from the History of No 10 Squadron. Until 20 minutes ago I'd no idea there was a 'Scottish Tartans Authority," though I rather suspect someone has awarded themselves the title. Nonetheless, in pursuit of 'something completely unexpected,' you may find inspiration in some of the changing images at top right! http://www.tartansauthority.com/highland-dress/scottish-weddings/

In my day I was very familiar with all the ins-and-outs of NATO Common Funding. The EU is run very differently but what I'm sure both organisations have in common is that the rules in force will have been agreed by all participating nations. The Commission will not simply have dreamt this procedure up last week and, without knowing when we signed-up to it - as I'm certain we must have done - perhaps that was at a time when the Treasury felt that the UK was always more likely to be eligible for a refund under the procedure? Whatever the case, the request has certainly arrived at a singularly inappropriate time in terms of UK domestic politics!

Thinking further on this, as a British subject (as I take the liberty to assume that you are), you may wear the Royal Stewart tartan. Mainly in red, if that suits, and I fancy that you'd know the pattern on sight. At a guess, it might give you much more choice if hiring than the tartan of a less-known family. On the female side, I'd also suggest looking at the Dress version with a white background - very good for sashes and the like! http://www.kinlochanderson.com/tartan/stewart+royal

I'm no genealogist, but you might want to try McIlroy or McElroy. I think you'll find that 'Mac' and/or 'Mc' are anglicised versions of the Gaelic 'Mhic,' meaning 'Son of.' The 'Roy' bit could derive from Gaelic 'ruadh' or 'red,' or, should you prefer, the French 'roi' or 'king.' .... or McInroy? http://www.kinlochanderson.com/tartan/mcinroy Don't worry too much about it - most tartan designs are of relatively recent origin. In fact, I'm not sure if the 1745/46 proscription on wearing kilts etc was ever lifted!

BW: I had hoped to be at the Wells on Saturday, but a clash of dates meant I had to cede priority to making one of my own periodic contributions to the arts in a Cambridge Phil concert. A pity, because I grew up on the other side of Glasgow from the Gorbals and, since developing an interest in ballet, have been fascinated by the 'Miracle in the Gorbals' title. It seems such an unlikely wartime creation and I hope there may be another chance to catch this new re-imagining of Helpmann's work at some future date. I, too, have memories of the Citizens Theatre - we were regularly taken there by my mother and I'm playing Duncan McCrae's entrance in "Jamie the Saxt" (ie King James VI) in my head right now: http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/paintings/duncan-macrae-19051967-as-jamie-the-saxt-84351

Links – Monday, October 20, 2014 Review – Royal Ballet, Ashton Quad Bill, London: Hanna Weibye, Arts Desk Laura Thompson, Telegraph Features – NYCB, Wendy Whelan’s Farewell Performance: Alastair Macaulay, NY Times Leigh Witchel, Danceviewtimes Review – Birmingham Royal Ballet, Shadows of War, London: Judith Mackrell, Guardian Feature – Francesca Hayward, the next great British ballerina? Judith Mackrell, Guardian Feature – Sarasota Ballet (incl Fall for Dance): Carrie Seidman, Herald Tribune Review – Fall for Dance, Program 4, NY: Brian Seibert, NY Times Review – Rocío Molina, Bosque Ardora, London: Louise Levene, Financial Times Review – Joffrey Ballet, Swan Lake (Wheeldon), Chicago: Emily Clement, The DePaulia Review – Basil Twist, Puppeteer, Rite of Spring, Fireworks, Pulcinella, NY: Apollinaire Scherr, Financial Times Review – Dance Theatre of Harlem, Vessels +3, DC: Sarah Halzack, Washington Post Gallery – Los Angeles Ballet: LA Times Feature – Royal Ballet of Cambodia: Laura Bleiberg, LA Times Review – Kage, Team of Life, Melbourne: Alexandra Spring, Guardian Feature – Steve Paxton, Choreographer, Selected Works, NY: Siobhan Burke, NY Times Review – Ivy Baldwin Dance, Oxbow, DC area: Sarah Kaufman, Washington Post News – St Petersburg Ballet Melbourne visit, 2015: John Bailey, The Age

Links – Sunday, October 19, 2014 Feature/Gallery – Tour the Paris Opera with AD, Benjamin Millepied: Hamish Bowles, Photography Annie Leibovitz, Vogue Wendy Whelan’s Farewell Performance with NYCB was last night: Tribute – Marina Harss, New Yorker What’s next – Staff, BWW Gallery – Royal Ballet, Ashton Quad Bill, London: Dave Morgan, DanceTabs Reviews – Birmingham Royal Ballet, Shadows of War, London: Hanna Weibye, Arts Desk Vera Liber, BTG Feature – Irina Kolpakova trains dancers at ABT: Roslyn Sulcas, NY Times Review – Miami City Ballet, Romeo and Juliet (Cranko), Miami: Jordan Levin, Miami Herald -- Gallery - Pedro Portal, Miami Herald Review – Matthew Bourne/New Adventures, Swan Lake, Melbourne: Jordan Beth Vincent, The Age Preview – Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal, Minneapolis: Caroline Palmer, Star-Tribune Review – Rocío Molina, Bosque Ardora, London: Lyndsey Winship, Evening Standard Review – Compagnie Système Castafiore, Aktualismus, 4Log Volapuk, Grasse: Christina Gallea Roy, DanceTabs Review – Jenny McAllister/13th Floor Dance Theater, A Wake, SF: Allan Ulrich, SF Chronicle

Links – Saturday, October 18, 2014 Wendy Whelan’s Farewell Performance with NYCB is tonight: Career Gallery – Guardian Review – Paris Opera Ballet, Paquita, Montreal: Robert Everett-Green, Globe and Mail Review – Australian Ballet, Swan Lake (Murphy), Berkeley: Allan Ulrich, SF Chronicle Reviews – L.A. Dance Project, Reflections, Murder Ballades, Quintett, NY: Alastair Macaulay, NY TImes Ivan Talijancic, Bachtrack Review – Joffrey Ballet, Swan Lake (Wheeldon), Chicago: Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times Review – Pacific Northwest Ballet, Tide Harmonic, Memory Glow, Debonair, NY: Robert Gottlieb, NY Observer Review – Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, Artemis in Athens, The Black Rose, NY: Gia Kourlas, NY Times Review – Birmingham Royal Ballet, Beauty and the Beast, London: Rachel Ward, Telegraph Tour Review – Scottish Ballet, Elite Syncopations + 4, Dunfermline: Mary Brennan, Herald Feature – Money for nothing? Paying for Performance Art: Will Gompertz, BBC News Reviews – Rocío Molina, Bosque Ardora, London: Jenny Gllbert, Arts Desk Zoe Anderson, Independent Graham Watts, Londondance Siobhan Murphy, DanceTabs Review – Basil Twist, Puppeteer, Fireworks, Pulcinella Suite, Rite of Spring, NY: Marina Harss, DanceTabs Review – Matthew Bourne/New Adventures, Lord of the Flies, London: Sara Veale, Fjord Review Interview – Lloyd Newson of DV8: Matt Trueman, Financial Times Review – Beijing Dance Theater, Wild Grass, NY: Siobhan Burke, NY Times Op-Ed – Hip Hop and martial arts are perfect bedfellows: Peter Aspden, Financial Times Review – Pennsylvania Ballet, Allegro Brillante, Other Dances, Liturgy, Jeu de Cartes, Philadelphia: Ellen Dunkel, Philadelphia Inquirer Preview – The Flying Steps, Red Bull Flying Bach, Montreal: Victor Swoboda, Montreal Gazette Review – Second City & Hubbard Street Dance, The Art of Falling, Chicago: Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune Review – Ballet San Antonio, Dracula (Zertuche), San Antonio: Jasmina Wellinghoff, mySA Reviews – Tempo Dance Festival/Alexa Wilson, The Status of Being, Auckland: Bernadette Rae, NZ Herald Val Smith, Theatreview Next week in Dance – ROH London & Touring: Judith Mackrell, Guardian News – Dance names in London’s Most Influential: Lucie Sheppard, Londondance