Ian Macmillan

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

Sim: The Opera House's holding statement is here: https://slippedisc.com/2023/02/just-in-german-director-throws-dog-shit-at-faz-journalist/ Beyond that, time will tell.

Links – Monday 13 February 2023 Feature - ‘It’s a grief and a healing’: why dance-makers love The Rite of Spring: Sarah Crompton, The Observer News – Hanover: Ballet Director attacks dance critic at premiere: Staff, News Out Slipped Disc (And elsewhere) Review – La Scala Theatre Ballet, Anima Animus, Solitude Sometimes, Remanso, Bella Figura, Milan: Graham Spicer, Gramilano Review – Ballett Zürich, On the Move, Tal, Violin Concerto No 1, Zurich: Jeanette Andersen, SeeingDance Review – Ballet West, Sleeping Beauty, Salt Lake City: Audrey Lockie, Utah Arts Review Review – Philadelphia Ballet, Forward Motion – Triple Bill, Philadelphia: Merilyn Jackson, Fjord Review Catchup Review – American Ballet Theatre, Incubator – Choreographic Workshop, New York: Leigh Witchel, dancelog.nyc Book Interview – Alice Robb: Don’t Think Dear, On Loving and Leaving Ballet: Sophie Bress, Fjord Review ** News – Sydney’s March Dance programme: Staff, Dance Australia ** This Link has been taken down.

On the face of it, that must have been an extraordinary incident, carrying the implication that Herr Goecke had come with a bag of excrement at the ready.

Links – Sunday 12 February 2023 Feature – ‘We don’t miss Tchaikovsky’ says Ukrainian Snow Queen: On the front line of a country’s cultural de-Russification: Catherine Philp, The Times Interview - Susan Jaffe, the new Director at American Ballet Theatre: Charlotte Barnett, Washington Post Reviews – Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal, Dance Me, London: Jan Woolf, Morning Star Matthew Paluch, Gramilano Sarah Crompton, Observer Review – Royal Ballet, Pam Tanowitz: Triple Bill, London: Sarah Crompton, Observer Review – Philadelphia Ballet, Forward Motion – Triple Bill, Philadelphia: Melissa Strong, Broad Street Review Review - Mette Ingvartsen Constellation, Barcelona: Veronica Posth, SeeingDance News - Hong Kong Ballet Presents Coco Chanel: Staff, Ballet Herald News - Martha Graham Company at the Annenberg Center: Ellen Dunkel, Philadelphia Inquirer Gallery – National Ballet of China, A Dream of Red Mansions, Beijing: Staff, Xinhua News

Greatest guitar player? Barney Kessel, Wes Montgomery, Johnny Smith, Charley Christian, Django Reinhardt - and my favourite, the relaxed, supremely elegant Jim Hall. And apologies to others I've forgotten. All playing 'proper' guitars, too. Just sayin', as folk say these days.

Links – Saturday 4 February 2023 Obituary – John White Jr, Dancer & Teacher: Staff, Pointe Magazine Feature – The Night Falls: A song and dance collaboration straight outta Swamplandia: Brian Seibert, NY Times Features - Has going to see ballet suddenly become hip? Charlotte Barnett, Observer (New York) Sienna Arrobio, Her Campus Feature - BalletX out to prove that ballet is not an elitist artform: Karen Campbell, Boston Globe Feature - Choreographer Keerati Jinakunwiphat’s first work for New York City Ballet: Madelyn Sutton, Playbill - Review: Celia Wren, Washington Post Previews – Royal Ballet, Secret Things – Choreographer Pam Tanowitz & Composer Anna Clyne: Teresa Guerreiro, Culture Whisper Hannah Nepilova, Financial Times Reviews – Birmingham Royal Ballet, Swan Lake, Southampton: Tessa Hurst, In-Common Lyndon Hogg, Advertiser & Times Tour Review – Scottish Ballet, The Snow Queen, Newcastle: Dora Frankel, BTG Review – Israel Galván, Solo, New York: Cecilia Whalen, Fjord Review Review – Ballett am Rhein, Coppelia X machina, Dusseldorf: Vikki Jane Vile, Bachtrack Review – Lil Buck & others, Memphis Jookin’: The Show, New York: Brian Seibert, NY Times Review – Bangarra Dance Theatre, Dance Clan-Triple Bill, Sydney: Deborah Jones, Limelight Review – Asun Noales & Dancers, La Mort I la donzella, Barcelona: Veronica Posth, SeeingDance Review – Mime Festival/Peeping Tom, Triptych, London: Jane Darcy, Reviews Hub Interview – Phil Chan and Banishing Orientalism: Candice Thompson, Fjord Review News - Tamara Rojo’s Raymonda to be performed by Finnish National Ballet: Staff, Ballet Herald News - Pär Hagström composes score for San Francisco Ballet's new work MADCAP: Stephi Wild, BWW SF Report – United Ukrainian Ballet in Washington DC: AFP via France 24

Links – Friday 3 February 2023 Feature - Alvin Ailey company returns to Toronto with a dance work about Nelson Mandela: Michael Crabb, Toronto Star Review – New York City Ballet, Fancy Free, Rondo, Solo, Episodes, New York: Marina Harss, Fjord Review Review – New York City Ballet, Fortuitous Ash, New York: Brian Seibert, NY Times Review – Dance Theatre of Harlem, Allegro Brillante, When Love, Blake Works IV, Higher Ground, Philadelphia: Merilyn Jackson, Fjord Review Review – Akram Khan Company, Jungle Book Reimagined, Barcelona: Graham Watts, Bachtrack Reviews – Cullberg Ballet, Horse, the Solos, New York: Gia Kourlas, NY Times Joel Benjamin, TheaterScene Review – Dances by Very Young Choreographers, Alumni Concert, New York: Karen Hildebrand, Fjord Review Review – Kyle Marshall Choreography, Ruin, Philadelphia: Merilyn Jackson, Fjord Review Review – Vertigo Dance Company, PARDES, New York: Susan Yung, Brooklyn Rail Review – Gary Clarke Company, Wasteland, Manchester: David Cunningham, BTG News - Harrison Ball to bid Farewell to NYCB In Haieff Divertimento: Staff, Ballet Herald News – National Ballet of China to stage classic Dream of the Red Chamber: Lou Kang, Global Times Book Preview – Ed Watson: A Different Dance: Graham Spicer, Gramilano Features – United Ukrainian Ballet: Elizabeth Blair, NPR Radio Christina Ruffini, CBS News Ines Bel Aiba, Yahoo!

Links – Thursday 2 February 2023 Feature - The beating heart of Danish Ballet: Sarasota Ballet welcomes Johan Kobborg’s La Sylphide: Sylvia Whitman, Sarasota Scene Review – New York City Ballet, Copland Dance Episodes, New York: Erin Bomboy, Bachtrack Stream Review – Tokyo Ballet, The Nutcracker: David Mead, SeeingDance News - Dutch National Ballet’s first US Tour in 40 years: Stephi Wild, BWW Boise News - Boston Ballet presents Nureyev’s Don Quixote next month: Stephi Wild, BWW Boston News - Tulsa Ballet 2023-2024 Season: Staff, Ballet Herald Diary - February DanceWatch: Feelin’ the love: Jamuna Chiarini, Oregon Artswatch And: What would you pay for Dame Margot Fonteyn’s make-up box? Lauren Williams, Express

Links – Wednesday 1 February 2023 Feature – United Ukrainian Ballet has found a home in The Hague: Marina Harss, NY Times Feature - Out of the spotlight: seven of dance’s hottest hidden talents: Lyndsey Winship, Guardian Review – Polish National Ballet, Exodus, Flights-Harnasie, Warsaw: Graham Watts, Bachtrack Review – Hong Kong Ballet, Romeo and Juliet (Webre), New York: Leigh Witchel, dancelog,nyc Review – New York City Ballet, Copland Dance Episodes, New York: Robert Greskovic, Wall St Journal Preview – Throwdown Collective, Liminal, Toronto: Michael Crabb, Toronto Star Preview - Gregory Maqoma, Broken Chord, London: Teresa Guerreiro, Culture Whisper Stream Preview – Scottish Ballet, Starstruck: Gene Kelly's love letter to ballet: Jennifer Robinson, KPBS News – Portland’s Reed College Dance repositions itself for the future: Hannah Krafcik, Oregon Artswatch And it says here that: You’ll need to snorkel your way to a seat for this Hawaiian underwater ballet: Erika Mailman, Time Out

Links – Tuesday 31 January 2023 Tour Review – Rambert, Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby, Bradford: Yvette Huddleston, Yorkshire Post Review – New York City Ballet, Copland Dance Episodes, New York: Mary Cargill, Danceviewtimes (And see Robert Sandla, Playbill) Review – New York City Ballet, Donizetti Variations, Haieff Divertimento, Valse-Fantaisie, Stravinsky Violin Concerto, New York: Leigh Witchel, dancelog.nyc Report – San Francisco Ballet, Nite Out, San Francisco: Saul Sugarman, The Bold Italic Feature - Krumping, Locking, and Double Tours en L’Air: An interview with Jake Lapham: Carla DeFord, Critical Dance Preview - The Dawson/Duato/Kratz/Kylián contemporary programme at La Scala: Graham Spicer, Gramilano News - Love is In the air for American Ballet Theatre’s Romeo and Juliet at Kennedy Center: Keith Loria, District Fray News - Cuban Classical Ballet to present premiere of Spanish Classical Night: Staff, Miami's Community News News - New Australian National Culture policy announced: Staff, Dance Australia - Comment: Karen Van Ulzen, Dance Australia Jason Blake, Limelight Dance Diary – January 2023: Michelle Potter, ... on dancing

Links – Monday 30 January 2023 Feature – Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal: Dance Me, the Leonard Cohen dance show the singer never lived to see: Lyndsey Winship, Guardian Feature - Critics round-up and photo album of English National Ballet’s Swan Lake: Graham Spicer, Gramilano Feature - Former Principal Kyra Nichols bringing Old-School wisdom to City Ballet: Gia Kourlas, NY Times Feature - Seeking relevance and new audiences, New York ballet companies embrace diversity: Precious Fondren, Gothamist Review – Philippe Saire & colleagues, Hocus Pocus, Vacuum, Salle des Fêtes, Barcelona: Veronica Posth, SeeingDance News - Romeo Et Juliet kicks off San Diego Ballet 2023-24 season: Staff, There SanDiego News - New York City Ballet to display Visual Art Installation resembling ballerinas: Terry Trucco, Playbill Opinion – The ROH and BP issue: Richard Morrison, The Times Zoe Strimpel, Telegraph

Links – Sunday 29 January 2023 Reviews – London, Sarah Crompton, The Observer - Acosta Danza, Spectrum - Julie Cunningham, Melanie Chisholm, Harry Alexander, How did we get here? Reviews – New York City Ballet, New York: Jerry Hochman, Critical Dance - Donizetti Variations, Haieff Divertimento, Valse-Fantasie, Stravinsky Violin Concerto - Allegro Brillante, Liturgy, Walpurgisnacht Ballet, Firebird Review – Dance Theatre of Harlem, Allegro Brillante, When Love, Higher Ground, Blake Works IV, Philadelphia: Melissa Strong, Broad Street Review Review – Sarasota Ballet, Frequency Hurtz, Shades of Spring, Façade, Sarasota: Carrie Seidman, Sarasota Herald-Tribune Review – tanzmainz, Soul Chain, New York: Joel Benjamin, TheaterScene Review – VAULT Festival, An Ice Thing To Say, London: Karl O’Doherty, Reviews Hub Feature - Dancer Hannah Alissa Richardson returns to Toronto with Alvin Ailey to live out her childhood dreams: Robyn Grant-Moran, Globe and Mail Feature – Pacific Northwest dancers on changes in Ballet: Moira Macdonald, Seattle Times

What exquisite rabbit holes we sometimes explore here! The diriment impediments (I think that's the term) to a valid marriage, such as affinity, consanguinity; and was there also something about 'spiritual relationships'? No reply needed.

My wife and I saw it at a catchup showing this afternoon - perfect transmission apart from a 1-second sound blip in early Act II. I wasn't at all sure what I was going to see but, having seen it, I reckon it's a truly remarkable piece of work, with composer and set designer equally responsible with its choreographer and dancers for the result. Immense congratulations all round. I'll leave it at that, for I've no idea when I might stop otherwise!

There are times when a Rose Adagio doesn't quite become Balletfan's "walk in the park." After a bit of rooting around, I give you Eric Taub's unforgettable description of such a night, ABT's Spring Gala in 2007, recorded for ballet.co - the fondly-remembered site whence we sprang some 11 years ago. https://web.archive.org/web/20070703020525/http://www.ballet.co.uk/magazines/yr_07/jun07/et_rev_abt_0507.htm Just read the whole thing - Eric's reports from New York were always a joy. My thanks to Buddy, who mentioned Eric in the Lyrical Dance thread and that got me searching.

.... just to remark that having 10 First Night reviews this morning for a strongly contemporary dance show at Sadler's Wells must be a record. Mainly on account of the cast containing Melanie Chisholm (formerly Mel C and/or Sporty Spice)? Who, at age 49, by all accounts acquitted herself very well. #Just Saying

Links – Saturday 21 January 2023 Reviews – Jules Cunningham, Melanie Chisholm, Harry Alexander, How Did We Get Here? London: Lyndsey Winship, Guardian Donald Hutera, The Stage Debra Craine, The Times Louise Levene, Financial Times Mark Monahan, Telegraph Zoe Anderson, Independent David Jays, Evening Standard Marianka Swain, The i Graham Watts, Bachtrack Matthew Paluch, Gramilano Stream Review – Royal Ballet, Like Water for Chocolate: Jim Pritchard, Seen and Heard Review – Joanna Kotze, “’lectric Eye”, New York: Karen Hildebrand, Fjord Review Review – Waheedworks, Bodies as Sites of Faith and Protest, New York: Cecilia Whalen, Fjord Review Feature - Sarasota Ballet steps into the new year with premieres of two dances: Jay Handelman, Sarasota Herald-Tribune Feature - Miigis: Underwater Panther honours Indigenous origin story: Michael Crabb, Toronto Star Feature - ‘I am where the birds live’: Rodney Bell on twirling in titanium: Billie Eder, Sydney Morning Herald Feature - Dancing With the Stairs: From Vaudeville to TikTok: Gia Kourlas, NY Times And for Lunar New Year: Lion dance training in Australia: Elizabeth Flux, The Age

Links – Friday 20 January 2023 News - Birmingham Royal Ballet announces BRB2 Company and UK Tour: Stephi Wild, BWW UK Regional David Mead, SeeingDance Feature - What makes Choreographer Justin Peck’s dances distinct: Genevieve Smith, NY Vulture Feature - Plastic pirouettes: Japan's recycled bottle ballet: AFP via France 24 Reviews – Royal Ballet, Sleeping Beauty, London, ROH: Mark Monahan, Telegraph Adrian York, London Unattached Review – New York City Ballet, Donizetti Variations, Haieff Divertimento, Valse-Fantaisie, Stravinsky Violin Concerto, New York: Mary Cargill, Danceviewtimes Review – Out-FRONT! A new interdisciplinary Festival, New York: Siobhan Burke, NY Times Review – Sydney Festival: Meryl Tankard & Dancers, Kairos: Deborah Jones, Limelight Catchup Review – Estonian National Ballet, Korsaar (Le Corsaire), Tallinn: Stuart Sweeney, Critical Dance News - Prix de Lausanne 2023 – the full lineup: Graham Spicer, Gramilano News – Kansa City Ballet’s new Cinderella takes the stage In February: Staff, Ballet Herald News - Scottish Ballet launches a National Centre For Dance Health: Stephi Wild, BWW Scotland Different News - Boston Conservatory partners with Radio City Rockettes to offer students precision dance training: Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill

This sounds like a most promising move and, as the Release says, it follows similar initiatives elsewhere. Will it possibly offer more graduate jobs than before, does anyone know? I'm tickled to see William Tuckett's Nisi Dominus mentioned as restoring some sense of calm. If that's the version I recall seeing Zenaida Yanowsky perform at Sadler's Wells some years back, it's a lively piece as Monteverdi's Vespers setting moves at quite some pace. (The costume was memorable too - over a leotard, the frame for a crinoline underskirt that had a wiggling life of its own.)

Links – Thursday 19 January 2023 Reviews – Royal Ballet, Sleeping Beauty, London: Louise Levene, Financial Times Graham Watts, Bachtrack Vikki Jane Vile, BWW UK Reviews – English National Ballet, Swan Lake (Deane), London: Jenny Gilbert, Arts Desk Harriet, Official London Theatre Review – Hong Kong Ballet, Romeo and Juliet (Webre), New York: Joel Benjamin, TheaterScene Review – Ronald K Brown/Evidence, Open Door, The Equality of Night and Day, Grace, New York: Gia Kourlas, NY Times Preview – UW Dance Presents, Mixed Bill, Seattle: Rachel Gallaher, Seattle Times Preview – Push Festival/Moya Michael, Coloured Swan 3: Harriet’s Remix, Vancouver: Mike Usinger, Straight.com Preview – BalletX, Contemporary Mixed Bill, Irvine, CA: Sarah Mosqueda, LA Times News - Northern Ballet announces Autumn 2023 Tour of Beauty and the Beast: Stephi Wild, BWW UK Regional News - Joffrey Ballet to revive Yuri Possokhov's Anna Karenina: Stephi Wild, BWW Dance Q&A - Ballet teacher Joshua Barwick: 'From big revelations to small details – trust the process and the people around you': John Byrne, The Stage