munchkin16

At 18 I still fit age 12 clothes and may have a bikini that must be at least 8 years old and age 8 that fits, crazy! Sizing is really stupid, my mum always struggled to find clothes to fit and I had the same problem with jeans, too short and fit round the waist or too big and the right length. Hollister jeans are expensive but come in very small sizes btw

I am looking at universities for next year and would really like to continue dancing whilst I am there. I am looking for any ballet classes in Belfast, preferably close to the university or travelling distance. I do grade 6 cechetti at the moment but don't mind changing or doing open classes.

The first few notes of the swan from carnival of the animals during the dying swan variation at the carlos acosta gala, just as Melissa Hamilton floated on stage..... the anticipation of her coming out of the wings definitely gave me goosebumps.

I saw the performance on friday and it was incredible! I loved absolutely everything, thought the music was beautiful at the start and end especially. Really enjoyed mayerling and manon but my favourite has to be the dying swan. Melissa Hamilton was exquisite, definitely want to see her dance again. I also enjoyed the wheeldon piece, haven't seen anything like it before. My friend and I also went to the stage door to get signatures so that was fun. That and finding out her mum knew Carlos Acosta before he was famous!

If you want a cheap bag with lots of pockets but aren't worried about it being a dance brand I use a smallish sports bag that is really good. So many different ones but have a look at sports direct and the ladies nike varsity duffel bag. It comes in dark colours and mine fits all my school and dance stuff

Thank you so much, really looking forward to it what did you think of the show?

Thank you, will listen to my mum then about the binoculars, I love seeing there faces and that isn't going to happen that high up! Ahh will that be a problem being short? We are right up in row h....

Just booked to see this on Friday, very excited to see all of the dancers! Just wondering what the view is like from the back of the balcony?

I would say a big advantage of doing it with others is that if you make a small mistake, the examiner will hopefully be looking at someone else! I guess this can work the other way though. Doing it on your own means undivided attention for when you do something really well I would be more worried about her moving up on her own after the exam. Don't know if this happens in her school, but in mine, If a group of people move up, the teacher will slow down the new exercises for them. I have had one experience where as I was the only one who moved up, the teacher forgot I didn't know the new exercises and so just expected me to copy and pick them up, which made me feel lost for a bit as she moved too fast for me to pick it up. When the group finally moved up, she broke everything down and I actually understood. Good luck to your daughter!

Sorry to revive the old thread but I thought I would update you. Went to capezio and it was almost empty (4:30 on a Saturday afternoon.) I had the attention of two excellent fitters who spent an hour and half helping my picky self find the perfect shoe. They were both very good, especially Kyrie who helped me make a mound of not right shoes before I found ones I liked. Seemed to have a large selection and they also had fun reading my programme from la bayadere and finding the dancers they fit! On a side note they were mentioning (after seeing my old bloch pointe shoes) how many people they had come in recently with badly fitted bloch shoes and how apparently most of the fitters in the covent garden store don't actually dance themselves...

Our uniform leotards for cechetti cost from £25-£30 depending on size as we have to get them through school. They are shiny lyrca and not at all flattering, the RAD ones are much nicer. I would rather spend the money on a really nice one!

Don't know if anyone has heard about MDM ballet shoes. They are split soles but have some new technology that strengthens the feet. Think they are only available in the US at the moment (i saw them on discount dance) but if they actually work they might save the debate! Oh and I wear leather split soles, I've never tried canvas ones but I'm pretty sure I have lost strength since I started using them, but my old full soles were so uncomfortable!

I saw the matinee on Saturday and really enjoyed it. The ballet in general isn't my favourite, as my mum put it, too much arm waving and not enough dancing,but the performance was great. I thought that Choe was very good, especially her characterisation and so was Kobayashi but I felt her turns were too fast to be landed properly (picky I know!) The costumes were beautiful and I loved the kingdom of the shades, although there were a few wobbles that made it seem less rehersed. I don't understand why they spread out the performances so much, it doesn't seem to give them time to develop a role. Also really liked the dance with the lamps. Overall I thought it was brilliant and everyone did very well considering the last minute replacements.

Keeping communication open is good, I wish I had been able to talk to someone sooner about my situation. Don't dismiss it, depression can be really scary, especially when she's so young and you feel empty, even if you cant explain why. I really feel for your daughter, and I don't know if this applies to her, but maybe she has lost sight of where she wants to be. Setting a goal of what she wants to achieve might give her a more positive outlook. Having worked hard to get into tring, she may feel lost and confused about her future and the short and long term goals may help her see that she should be proud of herself for even getting in and that whilst she may have suffered a set back, she can only move forward I really wouldnt even consider any form of drugs yet, too much can be just as bad, a friend of mine was rather too emotional at times as a result. Also, if she's feeling down, don't overestimate the power of sunshine, exersize and good food in cheering her up I hope this is helpful and I hope your daughter starts to feel better soon

Surrey, so its only an hour train journey, and I will be there on Saturday to see la bayadere anyway. Think those will be too far to travel as my mum won't take me just for pointe shoes! She doesn't really understand... I would love to get fitted there though

I need new pointe shoes and am going up to London next week. Can anyone recommend a really good fitter they trust? (i pay for my shoes myself so I can't afford to make a mistake!) I currently wear blochs but don't really like them... I am interested in suffolks, but are the fitters good in the capezio store? Thank you for your help

The freed Jane leotard is pretty high cut, as are a few of the sansha ones. Grishko leotards are also high cut. Look for ones with a jazz cut leg line.

I was going to suggest that as well! It's a good song and upbeat. You could also try 'for good' if they like wicked but want something slower. It's a really pretty song and doesn't have any chorus bits like 'what is this feeling'.

scienceblogs.com/notrocketscience/2009/03/31/ballet-postures-have-become-more-extreme-over-time/ I found this article whilst I was supposed to be studying, but thought It made a very interesting point, that even those who have no knowledge of ballet prefer the look of higher extensions. Whilst I think they can look good, the first thing I look for after technique is artistry. I hate watching dancers who clearly don't feel the music or the character they are portraying. Just wondered what people thought?

I just finished reading Wild Swans: Three daughters of China by Jung Chang. It is a really interesting insight into life in China for women over 3 generations and the politics of the country with the rise and fall of communism.

I'm still on my first pair but I darned them and I like it. It looks prettier than the suede things and lasts longer as I have seen the patches fall off. I waited a little to darn them so the satin was slightly looser, then blanket stitched up the edge and round the top in a spiral. I then did lines across the bottom of the shoe before the platform reaches the sole (hope that made sense!) I just used a straight needle and embroidery thread. It has lasted well and didn't take too long I even did one shoe one handed whilst on the phone to my friend! I would never let my mum near my shoes and she certainly wasn't offering to sew them

I have seen it twice In the west end, and loved it,although admittedly the first time I was about 7 so I don't remember much! I thought it was very good. The singing wasn't amazing, but the emotion came across very well. Despite not liking Anne hathaway, her I dreamed a dream was incredible and the others were also very good. Too many close ups, but some of them worked. It was interesting just to see how they filmed it, as all of the actors sang live on camera rather than being prerecorded, which I think is the first time that has been done.

Thank you everyone, I am very excited, it being my first time at the ROH and only second ballet! I will definitely post my review but am sure it will be amazing any thoughts on the cast, I am going on the 27th of April?

Thank you everyone, I am very excited, it being my first time at the ROH and only second ballet! I will definitely post my review but am sure it will be amazing any thoughts on the cast, I am going on the 27th of April?

I have a ticket to see La Bayadere at the ROH in April as my christmas/ birthday present. My seat is in the balcony A60 but as it is my first time going to the ROH I was wondering how well you can see from there? Being quite short, will I have a good view?