Julie 2 Milner

So strange reading Julie's and Hbrew's comments. It could be my son. Many lads do take time to come to the flexibility esp if they grow alot. Some boys were amazingly flexible and its always intimidating in an audition to see these lads warming up but all 3 of our sons are working. Mine is a little older so has a couple more years under his belt. What they seem to have in common is tremendously hard working, tennacity, musicality and artistry. Certainly the extrememly flexible have had no more luck in securing work. Personally I think ballet is focussing too much on flexibility, esp in women, to the detriment of artistry and musicality. But that is another discussion.lol

No i do not believe they have to. Flexibility is more of an issue when applying for 6th form My son wasn't as flexible as those who had been fulltime vocational since year 7. Infact one teacher at elmhurst was foul and deliberately set him up in an open morning to show this. Sorry still make me cross as other parents told me they were disgusted at the teachers attitude.But his flexibility improved over his 3 years there and now into his 4th year as a professional he's caught up. He'll never be as flexible as some but that of course is dictated by physique. So don't worry too much.

I swopped from Talk Talk to BT. Like others I inherited Talk Talk. I was an ex Tiny on line customer, then they sold to Tiscai then Talk Talk. Nightmare.

We always got them from Marks, but then they stopped and we found Nexts were good. Then Marks started doing them again. Some are still going:-)

There are excellent schools in Germany, Hamburg, Stuttgart (John Cranko) and Munich (Heinz Bosel) just to name a few. The Viennese State Ballet school is also very good. But agree loads of research. There are people on here who can give alot of help with Russia. I'm afraid I don't know anything about USA. Hope someone else can help.

I love Dr Who but am not liking these celeb cameos at all.

I was tempted to try for more tickets but decided not too. But I'm going to go to Matida when alice is back at Christmas.

Oh just seen that though the site is not working for me properly today.

I've just seen some photos of Munich's La Bayadere. Very colourful Really want to get out to see it. Day Kol photography on facebook has alot of pics. Not sure if there are any of Vadim though.

Last night my daughter and I went to the opening night of the new "Arena" tour at the O2. I booked this primarily because I love the music but also I love Tim Minchin. The cast was Judas Tim Minchin Jesus Ben Forster Mary Magdalene Mel C Herod Chris Moyles. I booked right at the start of the search for Jesus so having watched that show was a little worried. However I can honestly say it was fantastic. Tim was an excellent Judas. His singing up to the task and his acting too. His interaction with Caiaphas (Pete Gallagher) was totally believeable. Ben Forster was as expected a little nervous to start with but garnered confidence. His "Gethsemane" was astounding. To be honest I thought his performance was exceptional esp as this was opening night in a sold out Arena. Mel C divided myself and my daughter. She loved her;Iwasn't so sure. But again I'd say by the end she had gained confidence. I didn't like her "I don't Know How to Love him" but I guess I'm biased to Yvonne Elliman. However thereafter I think she did well. Then Chris Moyles. To be fair it was going to be hard for him to impress me. I don't listen to him, I don't like his public persona. He wasn't awful. He can sing. The Herod"premis" is clever. A reality segment to decide is Jesus good or Fraud. For a first night for a guy unused to an Arena appearance I think he did ok. The rest of the cast were very good. Pilate esp (Alex Hanson). The venue is interesting. I'd never been to the O2. Very efficient car parking. However the food situation is not good. We were there by 6.30pm for an 8pm start but still would not have had a chance of a sit down. Doors opened at 7pm and we were assured there was food through however though this was true the length of time they took to serve a take away was stunningly awful. So if you want food and the loo you need an extra hour. The performance started late 15/20 mins simply because they could not get everyone in in time. A thoroughly wonderful evening which I'm very gald I went to.

Just to say Bavarian State Ballet opened their season last night with La Bayadere.

I have tickets for this. My husband saw him in Canada a few years back and said if he ever came here we must go. It will be a first my husband and I going to a dance performance together that our son isn't in.lol

After a fabulous talk on Lawrence of Arabia I have downloaded "Seven Pillars of Wisdom". Its heavy going but interesting. I think it may take me a while. Mind you so far I think I'm reading it faster than 50 shades.

Exciting. My sister has mated her choc lab bitch. I'm a bit wary as no hip scores etc. Hope the pups do well. Keep us posted.

I saw this up in Stratford. Totally brilliant.Definitely one to catch if you have the chance.

We saw them a few years back in London at the Peacock.

Alison I don't think ENB have been here for many a year. Certainly not from when mine were dancing. When Martin was seriously thinking of ballet as a future I decided he needed to go and see as many performances as poss. We went to Sadlers Wells a lot and were lucky to get discount tickets to the ROH. Locally I think we saw Moscow Ballet and the Ellen Kent ones. Sadly the Swan Lake we saw from her touring company (Chisnau ?) was awful. Other "Russian" companies visit too. Mind you I'm not sure the assembly hall is great for ballet but I do remember a performance of Pas de Deuxs from a Russian company. Brilliant.

Its the same for theatre. When my daughter was touring "Sense and Sensibility" some theatres were barely a third full. I've just booked tickets for various things in Tun Wells. Not Ballet Theatre UK yet but it is on my list:-) I said to my husband if we don't support as much as we can it will close. On Sunday I saw the Billy Fury Story, but only half full, if that. I've just had an offer through for next week for some Agatha Christie, 2 for 1. To travel to London is so expensive so we are going to try to support more local as much as possibel. Sadly we get little ballet here and none of the "big" tourers.

I've even been known to say my Dr appt was an audition.lol

Pups-mum I do that . When ever I talk about an interview I say audition.People look at me very strangely.

Must admit to being a tad dog obssessed. I can bore for England on the subject!!!

Great news. A happy ending.:-)

Must admit showing isn't my thing but know an awful lot who do. My Oscar is 4, Elsie 31/2 and Ted, our rescue, 9. I love flat coats. Beautiful dogs. Very nearly succumbed a few years back but decided I couldn't give the required exercise. Mind you now I'm exercising 3 very active bulldogs it pprobably wouldn't have been much more. I've also just realised what an idiot I am. I didn't even look at your avatar which is, of course, patently a falt coated retriever. Doh!!!

Well done. Very exciting. I know some bulldog owners who qualified for Crufts today. What breed is yours?

Many congratulations. Sounds a lovely day. A harsh world for them all to be going into right now. All we can do is keep going:-)