Julie 2 Milner

Often English is used except in France I suspect. The huge variety of nationalities means English is often the only unifying option.

Re  language. Remember asking for Kartoffeln in Vienna.... a long slow look.... you mean Erdapfel! 

But had a very interesting thing. For years I've said "Danke sehr". Kids told me I was wrong. First visit to the Opera House in Munich and everyone was "Danke sehr". Felt I'd come home. I spent 2 months in Munich as an 18 year old, so I must have picked it up there.

I Wiederschon in Austria and Tschuss in Munich. But here is the cracker in my day orange juice was Apfelsinne now just Orangensaft!

Mind you it is all ciao now.

Apologies for all spellings.

Martin's first professional job was an apprentice with Vienna State Ballet. He spoke no German and had always done French. (Has A level) So he spent a  month in Berlin before starting Vienna. But when I first visited my German was so much better. But we've always been keen on the children pursuing languages so he put in a lot of effort. This is actually quite hard when the lingua franca is English within the company. Very quickly he picked it up. In Munich I think there are only 1or 2 Germans in the company and all classes are in English. Again he has made a concerted effort to speak as much as possible outside company. He also takes time to study and work on it. So now he is really very fluent. He is capable of most interaction in German. Deals with companies like electricity etc, all  in German. Also he is now far better than I am. lol

The key is be prepared to work and never just say everyone else speaks English so that is ok.

My daughter also spent a year acting in Germany. She did have GCSE but she too had to speak a lot as she was in and out of school. We were both watching The Bavarian State Ballet last week and something went wrong mid performance. Someone came out to explain what was happening. Obviously spoke fast. I got very little but she got much more.

Sorry long answer. You get back what you put in. My daughter has also just spent 9months in Barcelona made no effort and learnt little. She is a bit disappointed in herself but "everyone spoke English".

Anyone looking to train in a foreign country do not worry about the language. You will learn. Look at those who have gone to Russia. In Vienna Martin was helped in that as an apprentice they spent time with the school. There it was just German.

Where abouts in Germany are you? My son now dances professionally in Munich. Isn't it funny. Recently more UK people have been looking to Europe for training as it is so much cheaper and of a comparable standard.

As everyone has said apply for all. Good luck.x

This is a great step. The shows were always so frustrating. Limited tickets and a scrabble to get them. Glad they are doing this.

You poor thing. Wishing you a speedy recovery.xx

Tonight there is live streaming from Munich of the new piece "Helden" (Heroes) by Terence Kohler.

I'm so cross I'm out so will miss it and haven't seen it, nor will. I'm out in a couple of weeks but for "Exits and Entrances" (Cuningham)

http://www.bayerische.staatsoper.de//tv

Oh goodness I suspect this has nothing really to do with you but just the other Mum was caught out and maybe embarrassed not to have been around. Because of that she lost it. Certainly does not sound a reasonable or normal reaction esp if you have been friends so long. Maybe she was upset about something else. Can you speak to her and say you're shocked and also I would think embarrassed for the girls. Say you in no way meant to upset but were just trying to be helpful. A tricky situation.

Try not to worry.

Well Hamburg and Neumeier have a good reputation. Good luck to your friend.

My son was offered a sort of apprenticeship which would have involved splitting time between company and school. He decided to take Vienna instead. Partly because it was all vague and not paid as well as vienna. This was obviously post training. Others said they knew of people there but weren't too sure how much contact with the company they really had.

There is a requirement in most of the German schools to get a basic level pass in language. But this isn't difficult. It's an EU wide recognised level.

All I'd say is generally the German training seems very good. Structured, serious etc but whether in the long run destinations are good I'm not sure.

Have you looked at Hamburg, Stuttgart (John Cranko School) Munich (Heinz Bosl) or Vienna. All have good reputations. Munich and Hamburg both now have junior companies too.

Very wise. We had a situation where a pianist reported a teacher at vocational school for his treatment of my son and another lad. When asked my son refused to complain. I was furious. This teacher was a foul bully, a disgrace. But my then 17/18 year old said, Mum if I can't cope with this what hope have I in the dance world. He said he just isn't a nice person that's all. Great maturity.

At "Pricilla Queen of the Desert". Two woman arrived late, 20 mins odd. Their friend took a phone call from them and went to get them. Then used their phone torch to get to their seats.They then chatted as if no performance on. Checked their phones continually. Then started eating.

Mobiles as torches seem to be too common now so people walk in late and use them.

I get so fed up. Obviously Pricilla is pretty loud but still it was disruptive.

Thoroughly enjoyed today.  I'm going to mention David Brewer though seperately as he really stands out as both a lovely dancer and actor. Think I said this at Christmas too. The company, as any, does vary in standard but Mr Brewer is there at the top. I wonder how long they will be able to keep him?

The costumes are stunning. My daughter toured with a small acting company and they were severely let down by costumes but this company has the most wonderful, approriate and brilliant costumes. Would urge anyone to see this. This company is to be so commended.

Thank you and yes really it was a roundabout way of finding out what part David was dancing:-) Really looking forward to it.

Off to this tomorrow. Wonder who will be doing what? Looking forward to it.

I'm booked in the stalls in TW but the circle has recently been refurbished and is really nice. TW always do this. Open the circle very late.

LinMM you asked what an MDS is. It is one of the ways of obtaining funding help and if I'm correct is assessed on parental income. Might stand for Music and Dance Scheme or Scholarship not sure.

This month's Dance Europe has a big Summer School feature.So may be of interest for anyone still looking.

Don't know about schools in Italy but I do know an awful lot of Italians come over here or other European countries to train.So there may not be huge choice. But as I say have no direct knowledge.

TBH I'm not sure it is ever acceptable. I've seen some dire performances but would not have booed. Just would seem rude. It is difficult though if one feels a whole company don't give a damn but still I wouldn't boo. My other hat is Arsenal supporter. There has been alot of booing this season but I can't even join in that.

Recently I saw a Gilbert and Sullivan evening. It was professional, 3 handed and was so awful it was beyond belief. In this instance I don't applaud. Actually we left at the interval and complained to the theatre. Lot of complaints and full refund!!!

So my protest is no applause and if it is justified a complaint to the theatre.

Oh should say does exclude the pantomime booing which is a great tradition, even in ballet.

Martin had a huge problem with his periformis. huge. He saw physios and osteos. It really restricted him. I vividly remember hin at the Tun Wells dance festival due on stage for a Wells summer school scholarship contest. He was in tears and I honestly didn't see how he could dance. He did. The physio had assured us that he couldn't damage himself. His issue was flexibility  , think it was his right side. But the physio did work or maybe it was just time who knows.

Cortisone was never suggested for us.

The physio we saw was a dance specialist but was a sports physio. He was brilliant.

The one where you stand your foot in I heard very bad things about but one that was good was from a spanish company. It is used sitting down. Can i remember it's name? No! I know a few boys used it. I've looked in my son's room so it is possible he has taken it to Munich with him. Next time I speak to him I'll ask him what it was called.

Wow I'm amazed. How can anyone sign that. What if circumstances change and you need to raise money? It seems mighty strange that anyone can dictate what you do with something, esp if you've paid for something. I know in the dog world puppies are often sold with endorsements and any rescued dog cannot be sold but must be returned to the rescue organiztion.However of course it is almost impossible to police as I guess it would be here. Most top ballet dancers seem to sign a lot of shoes for charities etc .

Well you certainly learn something new every day.:-)

Seems very strange and I'm not sure how legally binding it could be. Never sell! 10 years, 20 years.

Full time under sixteen will be performing arts schools, ie Arts Ed Chiswick, Italia Conti also London.Conti's also do associate classes around the country. Otherwise Theatre Train and Stagecoach are big companies.

TBH you wouldn't want full time acting under 16. Far too restricted. My daughter did an acting Btec instead of A levels then 3 years at Rose Bruford (in the top 5). She now agrees with what we said all along. Often better to go later rather than earlier. Acting definitely benefits from maturity.

Many of the Saturday classes offer LAMDA exams which are fun.

We still have Martin's in a cupboard somewhere. More money than sense if anyone paid that sum for it. Also why would you but it if you hadn't been. Never understood that.