Ian Macmillan

A fair programme, I thought. But as a 'review' of the past decade, I also found myself thinking about what wasn't there - eg Lauren Cuthbertson, whose Alice is somewhat incidental to that Mad Hatter tap scene that, in turn, was all we saw of Steven McCrae. And how old was that Mayerling extract with Ed Watson and Mara Galeazzi? Have they missed so much through injury that their recorded presence is brief? And did I really hear Wayne McGregor refer to his 'alien aesthetic?"

Mea maxima culpa! The perils of dabbling in areas in which one has limited knowledge.

Links – Saturday 28 December, 2019 Obituary – Jeffery Taylor, Dancer & Critic: Graham Watts, DanceTabs Review – Rambert & Selfridges, Rambert x Future Fantasy, London: Brice Taupin, SeeingDance Feature – Choreographer Crystal Pite: Cathy Levy, Globe and Mail (Premium access) What’s On: - Around the UK: Lyndsey Winship, Guardian (Scroll down) - In Los Angeles: Matt Cooper, LA Times Best of 2019 & Looking Forward: - In Australia: Jill Sykes, The Age - Paris Opera Ballet to visit QPAC in July: Valerie Lawson, dancelines And as 2019 nears its end: New Year Honours List, 2020 KBE - David Bintley CBE CBE – Shobana Jeyasingh MBE and Stephen Mear OBE – Mirella Bartrip and David Toole MBE – Judith Palmer and Ashley Wheater

Katherine: Many thanks for drawing attention to Ms Wheater's award. It appears on the separate Diplomatic Service and Overseas List.

A quick trawl of the New Year Honours List produced the following Dance-related awards. The list may not be exhaustive. The Cabinet Office list is here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/855178/New-Year-Honours-2020.pdf It was searched using the term 'dance;' nothing came up using 'ballet.' New Year Honours List KBE - David Bintley CBE CBE – Shobana Jeyasingh MBE CBE – Stephen Mear OBE – Mirella Bartrip OBE – David Toole MBE – Judith Palmer I have modified the thread title accordingly.

Links – Friday 27 December, 2019 Review – Smuin Contemporary Ballet, Christmas Ballet, San Francisco: Rita Felciano, Danceviewtimes Best of 2019: - In New York: Marina Harss, DanceTabs - In London: Debra Craine, The Times (Scroll down) What’s On – In New York, Next Week: Brian Schaefer, NY Times Catch-up Review – Dimitris Papaioannou & others, The Great Tamer, New York: Leigh Witchel, dancelog.nyc

Links – Thursday 26 December, 2019 Review – Arthur Pita, The Little Match Girl, London: Sara Veale, DanceTabs Feature – Jacqueline Green: That Goddess Quality? This Ailey Dancer’s Got it: Gia Kourlas, NY Times Feature – Boston Ballet dancers – an average workday: Olivia Vanni, Boston Herald News – French Arts honour for Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui: Staff, Flanders Today Feature – How Scottish Ballet made five wishes come true: Staff, BBC News Feature – Scottish Ballet Principal, Bethany Kingsley-Garner: Murray Scougall, Sunday Post

Links – Wednesday 25 December, 2019 Review – Dorrance Dance, The Nutcracker Suite, New York: Apollinaire Scherr, Financial Times Interview – Linda Celeste Sims, Alvin Ailey company on dancing Cry: Siobhan Burke, NY Times Feature – NYCB’s youngest and liveliest Nutcacker audience: Julia Jacobs, NY Times Feature – Wendy Whelan – her essentials: Kathryn Shattuck, NY Times Book Review – Royal Academy of Dance: Celebrating 100 Years: Graham Watts, DanceTabs Best of 2019 – In London: Emma Byrne & Zoe Paskett, Evening Standard Review – Boston Dance Theater, 4-Bill, Boston: Jessica Lockhart, Arts Fuse And at Paris Opera Ballet, a strike with a difference: France24 Twitter/Emmanuel Tixier

Links – Tuesday 24 December, 2019 Review – Paris Opera Ballet, Raymonda, Paris: Laura Cappelle, Financial Times -- Why Paris Opera dancers & singers are protesting: James McAuley, Washington Post Catch-up Review – Maya Beiser, Wendy Whelan, Lucinda Childs, David Lang, The Day, New York: Leigh Witchel, dancelog.nyc Review – Protein Dance, The Little Prince, London: Louise Levene, Financial Times Review – Staatsballett Berlin, SUNNY, Berlin: Katja Vaghi, Bachtrack Best of 2019 – In Australia: Jo Litson & Rhys Ryan, Limelight Opinion – Blackface in ballet highlights a global divide: Alex Marshall, NY Times And on the Night Before Christmas …. Review – Dorrance Dance, The Nutcracker Suite, New York: Sheila Kogan, TheaterScene (+ All Good Things Come to an End) Gallery – Dance Centre Kenya, The Nutcracker, Nairobi: Yasuyoshi Chiba, Guardian Feature – Peter Dala and Tchaikovsky’s score with Alberta Ballet: Janet Smith, Straight.com Feature – NYCB’s educational Nutcracker Project: Terry Trucco, Playbill

Links – Monday 23 December, 2019 Feature – Cassa Pancho & Ballet Black: Alice Kemp-Habib, Sunday Times Opinion – Misty Copeland is right: Blackface & Yellowface have no place in ballet: Michael Crabb, Toronto Star Review – Matthew Bourne/New Adventures, The Red Shoes, London: Sarah Crompton, The Observer Gallery – Matthew Bourne/New Adventures, Swan Lake from the wings: Jason Armond, LA Times Reviews – Protein Dance, The Little Prince, London: Vera Liber, BTG Review – Dormeshia, And Still You Must Swing; Dorrance Dance, Nutcracker, New York: Faye Arthurs, Fjord Review Feature – Jacub Jozef Orlinski, a breakdancing counter-tenor: AFP, SCMP Some different Nuts: Review – Sarasota Ballet, John Ringling’s Circus Nutcracker, Sarasota: Carrie Seidman, Herald-Tribune Report – Dinner at Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Nutcracker: Moira Macdonald & Bethany Jean Clement, Seattle Times

Very briefly: I am assured that there was an experienced teacher and RAD Examiner of that name, but nothing known about any prior professional dancing experience. As an Examiner, she would carry out tours of both local and overseas schools.

Links – Sunday 22 December, 2019 Review – Matthew Bourne/New Adventures, The Red Shoes, London: David Dougill, Sunday Times Review – Scottish Ballet, The Snow Queen, Edinburgh: David Jays, Sunday Times -- Feature: Louise Levene, Spectator Interview – ENB’s Erina Takahashi & James Streeter: Hannah Evans, Sunday Times Review – Northern Ballet, Cinderella (Nixon), Leeds: James Ballands, BTG Reviews – Protein Dance, The Little Prince, London: David Guest, Reviews Hub Teresa Guerreiro, Culture Whisper Review – Scottish Dance Theatre, Process Day, The Circle, Dundee: Lucy Ribchester, The List Review – Skȧnes Dansteater, Mozart’s Requiem, Malmö: Maggie Foyer, SeeingDance Review – Philadanco, Xmas Philes, Philadelphia: Melissa Strong, Broad Street Review Review – Melissa & Jodie Toogood, SetA/Part Mixed Bill, Sydney: Jill Sykes, SMH And a global Nut selection: Review – English National Ballet, The Nutcracker (Eagling), London: David Dougill, Sunday Times Review – Miami City Ballet, The Nutcracker (Balanchine), Miami: Sean Erwin, Danceviewtimes Review – Pennsylvania Ballet, The Nutcracker (Balanchine), Philadelphia: Sigrid Payne Da Veiga, Critical Dance Review – Queensland Ballet, The Nutcracker (Stevenson), Brisbane: Denise Richardson, Dance Australia

Beryl: Beatrice and her editing of her mother's diaries was Cathy's point of entry to construction of the ballet and she is central to the work. On stage, she was very often somewhere to the side or rear, observing or reacting to the action as described in the diaries rather than at the front. For example, you must have noticed her distaste at what she was reading in the John Brown scene, when she ripped pages from the diary and threw them to the floor. In the film version, however, there were a number of closeup shots of her, presumably to emphasise the dramatic points being made and, in that regard, these reflect the Director's choices made - often a matter for debate where filmed dance is concerned.

OK - I see that a conviction has been established. I had seen an earlier report, before the case got to that stage.

I'm no expert on these things - but we might have to be a little careful about discussion of alive Court case.

Sorted! 14 is our default size.

Alison: Yes, it is - and this might explain why Yasmine is on:

Links – Saturday 14 December, 2019 Obituaries: - Don McDonagh, Critic & Author: Anna Kisselgoff, NY Times - Barry Kitcher, Dancer: Michelle Potter, ... on dancing Reviews – Scottish Ballet, The Snow Queen (Hampson), Edinburgh: Kelly Apter, Scotsman Anna Winter, Guardian Film Review – Royal Ballet, Romeo and Juliet – Beyond Words: Louise Levene, Financial Times Reviews– Matthew Bourne/ New Adventures, The Red Shoes, London: Louise Levene, Financial Times Zoë Anderson, Independent Neil Norman, The Stage Interview – Francesca Hayward, on Cats and much more: Mark Monahan, Telegraph Preview – Royal Ballet, The Cellist, Dances at a Gathering, London: Teresa Guerreiro, Culture Whisper Review – Isaac Mizrahi, John Heginbotham & Others, Peter and The Wolf, New York: Joel Benjamin, TheaterScene Review – Gandini Juggling, Spring, Montclair, NJ: Brian Seibert, NY Times Review – Out Innerspace Dance Theatre, Bygones, Vancover: Janet Smith, Straight.com Review – The song and dance of Veracruz, Sarasota, FL: Carrie Seidman, Herald-Tribune What’s On – Next Week in Hereford, Cinemas, London: Lyndsey Winship, Guardian (Scroll down) Today’s Bag of Nuts: Reviews: - San Francisco Ballet: Janice Berman, SF Classical Voice - National Ballet of Canada, Toronto: Penelope Ford, Globe and Mail Previews: - The People’s Conservatory, KOLA (an Afro version), Oakland: Annelies Zijderveld, SF Classical Voice - Arts Umbrella Dance, Mixed Nuts, Vancouver: Janet Smith, Straight.com - Pennsylvania Ballet, Philadelphia: Tom Turner, Playbill What’s On – Nuts in/around LA: Matt Cooper, LA Times

Links – Friday 13 December, 2019 Reviews – Scottish Ballet, The Snow Queen (Hampson), Edinburgh: Mary Brennan, Glasgow Herald Mark Monahan, Telegraph Lucy Ribchester, The List Stephanie Green, Broadway Baby Róisín O’Brien, SeeingDance Streaming Review – Royal Ballet, Coppelia, London: Jim Pritchard, Seen and Heard Feature – Birmingham Royal Ballet Principal Brandon Lawrence: Catherine Bott, Classic FM News – Rodin sculpture of Nijinsky given to the V&A: Mark Brown, Guardian Feature – Cunningham Documentary: Makeda Easter, LA Times What’s On – Around New York, Next Week: Brian Schaefer, NY Times Highlights of 2019 – In Boston: Marcia B Siegel, Arts Fuse Opinion – The hell of individuation and how dancing could be the cure: Brigid Delaney, Guardian Catch-up Review – Carrie Ahern & Others, Sex Status 2.0, New York: Leigh Witchel, dancelog.nyc Today’s Bag of Nuts: Reviews – English National Ballet, London: Debra Craine, The Times Emma Byrne, Evening Standard Mark Pullinger, Bachtrack Charlotte Kasner, SeeingDance John O’Brien, London Theatre 1 Review – New York City Ballet, New York: Ivy Lin, Bachtrack Review – Ballet West, Salt Lake City: Heather Hayes, Deseret News Features/Videos: - Backstage with NYCB’s Costumes: Misty White Sidell, WWD - NYCB, since 1954: Bruce Chadwick, History News Network - San Francisco Ballet: Dave Pehling, CBS Bay Area - Washington Ballet: Jason Fraley, WTOP

Chris, as far as professional reviews are concerned, the Press Night was last night and first reviews should be in tomorrow's Links.

Online now, for inclusion in tomorrow's Times 2.

Links – Thursday 12 December, 2019 Film Review – Royal Ballet, Romeo and Juliet – Beyond Words: Jim Pritchard, Seen and Heard Review – Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ode, Memoria, Revelations, New York: Brian Seibert, NY Times Reviews – Pam Tanowitz, with Simone Dinnerstein & Others, New Work for Goldberg Variations, New York: Siobhan Burke, NY Times Robert Greskovic, WSJ Review – Paul Taylor American Modern Dance, Sunset, all at once, Piazolla Caldera, New York: Leigh Witchel, dancelog.nyc Review – Cannes Dance Festival, Various Companies: Laura Cappelle, Financial Times Review – Candoco & Others, The Lost Thing, London: Debra Craine, The Times Review – Jamila Johnson-Small & Guests, Heavy Handed We Crush the Moment, London: Josephine Leask, DanceTabs Review – The Future is F*E*M*A*L*E* Festival, 2 Shows, Berlin: Veronica Posth, SeeingDance Review – Wim Vandekeybus/Ultima Vez, Traces, Bruges: Louise Lewis, BTG Documentary Reviews – Cunningham: Brian Seibert, NY Times Kenneth Turan, LA Times Interview – Michael Ryan, Boston Ballet: Olivia Vanni, Boston Herald Review – Royal New Zealand Ballet, Hansel & Gretel, Auckland: Deborah Jones, FollowSpot Preview – Arts Umbrella Dance, Mixed Nuts, Vancouver: Janet Smith, Straight.com News – Ausdance to continue, possibly with volunteers: Hannah Francis, SMH Handy Tips Video – How to pack like a touring ballet dancer: Monica Rodman, Washington Post

Links – Wednesday 11 December, 2019 Reviews – MuzArts: Olga Smirnova, Edward Watson & Others, Radio and Juliet, Faun, McGregor + Mugler, London: Deborah Weiss, DanceTabs Sarah Kirkup, Bachtrack Anna Winter, The Stage Review – Staatsballett Berlin, Lib, Strong, Berlin: Katja Vaghi, Bachtrack Film Review – Kes Reimagined, Choreography by Jonathan Watkins: Graham Watts, DanceTabs Reviews – Candoco & Others, The Lost Thing, London: Erica Jeal, Guardian Claudia Pritchard, Culture Whisper Maryam Philpott, Reviews Hub Best of 2019 – In/Around Washington DC: Sarah L Kaufman, Washington Post Feature – San Francisco Ballet’s Orchestra, Nutcracker & 2020 Season: Janos Gereben, SF Classical Voice Catch-up Review – Ballet West, Le Chant du Rossignol, Apollo, Prodigal Son, Salt Lake City: Leigh Witchel, dancelog.nyc Preview – Smuin Ballet, Christmas Ballet LGBTQ+ Night, San Francisco: Philip Mayard, Bay Area Reporter Preview – Phunctional, Beyond the Walls, Sydney: Nick Galvin, Sydney Morning Herald

See also the France 24 piece in today's LInks.

Links – Tuesday 10 December, 2019 Reviews – MuzArts: Olga Smirnova, Edward Watson & Others, Radio and Juliet, Faun, McGregor + Mugler, London: Debra Craine, The Times Emma Byrne, Evening Standard Louise Levene, Financial Times Jenny Gilbert, Arts Desk Reviews – Svetlana Zakhorova & Friends, MoDanse - Come Un Respiro, Gabrielle Chanel, London: Jann Parry, DanceTabs Feature – Jamar Roberts, Choreographer at Alvin Ailey, Ode: Gia Kourlas, NY Times Review – Ballett Zürich, Requiem (Verdi), Zurich: Casey Creel, Seen and Heard Reviews – Matthew Bourne/New Adventures, Swan Lake, Los Angeles: Gillian Ebersole, Bachtrack Victoria Looseleaf, SF Classical Voice Preview – Scottish Ballet, The Snow Queen, Edinburgh: Mary Brennan. Glasgow Herald Review – Singapore Dance Theatre, Swan Lake, Singapore: Joy Wang X.Y. SeeingDance Catch-up Review – Hong Kong Ballet, International Gala of Stars 2019, Hong Kong: David Mead, Dance Journal/HK Preview – Velocity Dance Center, Next Fest 2019 – Ritual and Rebellion, Seattle: Melody Datz Hansen, Seattle Times News: - Paris Opera Ballet dancers on strike: Staff, France 24 - Ballet Icons Gala, London, 2020: Seen and Heard - Birmingham Royal Ballet, Swan Lake Tour, 2020: Rebecca Sayce, Express & Star Book Review – Ted Shawn: His Life, His Writings, and Dances, Paul A. Scolieri: Debra Cash, Arts Fuse