Julie 2 Milner

That is really poor. Sometimes these "stars" do treat their public badly. I bought tickets for Leonard Cohen at The Hop Farm here. Then the interest shown he decided to move it to Wembly! We could have just transferred tickets but even so 20 mins down the road or Wembly huge difference. Some people had booked accomodation to see it here and they got no refunds for that. Thought it was very shabby of him to do that. Also we didn't get huge notice either.

Went to see the matineé this afternoon. Good fun. The kids put their all into it. Miss Trunchball is superb. He is just so brilliant in the role. My niggles were the sound. The orchestra drowned out alot of the singing. Also I guess it is "screechy" as so many of the singers are children. I also found today's Mrs Wormwood very jarring though i suspect that is how she is told to play it. It would be scary for young children. But definitely worth a trip. Minchin has written a fun score

A Happy Birthday and thank you. Sorry I'm a bit late. This site is a wonderful way to connect with those who love dance be it as students, professionals, spectators or mums and Dads. Julie M

I meant to tell you about that. Got it a couple of days ago. A great review I think from Croyden. More mentions too:-) They have just put the dates on Tunbridge Wells for Alice and they are doing 2 performances, matineé and evening. So I'll definitely book for that. Bet he'll be exhausted and deserve a good rest and being pampered by Mum. Happy Christmas.x

Wonderful of you to share it. Thank you. Very much enjoyed watching.

Just discovered I missed them all wishing "Happy Christmas" in their respective lamguages. I stayed on for a couple of minutes but then a dog needed medicine and I thought they weren't doing it. So irritated with myself.

Yes it explained the whole thing. Drosselmeyer is Petipa for example.

I so enjoyed it. I liked the premise as explained by Ivan Liska beforehand. Martin was an old man in the first act and a jester in the second. Fun for me though too was in the interval he seemed to be in a lot of shots. I enjoyed the different take. I think I was expecting it to be rather too "clever" but actually I thought it flowed beautifully and "worked". I expect children would not be so enthralled and I wouldn't want it to replace a traditional one but I certainly enjoyed it. Looking forward to "Heroes".

Yes it was Aileen. A very good film but not for me as a ballet I think. Maybe I'm just very boring though. I thought it was based on a real case.

I just can't see this as a ballet! After "Satisfaction" a few years back I've not rushed to another Schaufuss.

Well at 28mins he is side of stage sitting on the floor in a green thing! But funnily enough Leo (Engel) who was in the first bit alot was the Moor in The Moor's Pavanne when I was out there a couple of weeks back. Thank you for the link, very interesting.

I'll look but he is probably too lowly.lol

Totally agree with Angela. Munich is smart but there seems to be no animosity towards those who choose more casual. They seem to automatically be a little less formal for contemporary than Classical. Unlike Vienna where they were very disapproving of anything even the slightest bit casual. I was there 2 weeks ago and one side the people were beautifully dressed, almost cocktail dresses but the lady on the other side was in jeans. Now admittedly one does not see many in jeans. However I can say I have never felt anything but relaxed and welcome. People are helpful. I dress smartly but TBH it is one chance I have to put the gladrags on:-) So I'd recommend smart but don't worry. Julie

Actually I think, for me, it is quite a clear cut choice. If it is ballet 16 is almost essential and I say that a s a Mum of a son who only went at 16. Many of the teachers feel that late. Very rarely people "make it" in ballet starting vocational at 18 but is is very rare and even more so for girls. With musical theatre my personal belief is 18 is ok and in some way the maturity helps. But many go at 16. The difference is many of the MT courses do have a broader age range which can be a little daunting for a 16 year old. Re qualifications. I was worried about A levels etc but certainly the ballet training tends to offer something. At Elmhurst A levels and a diploma. Central a degree, ENB I'm not sure. I'm afraid I don't know about the MT schools. So I think the first debate is what dance your DD wants to do. If it is ballet then yes 16, if MT you can be more relaxed. Hope this helps and good luck. Juliex

Follow the link and go to the multi media page. Try one of the current videos there. If that plays it should mean the stream will play. It's 7.30pm Munich time so 6.30 UK I guess. I presume on the night the direct link will appear. They also are posting info on their facebook page Bayerisches Staatsballett so I'm keeping an eye on that too. Hope I can get it to work as I haven't been out to see this.

www.staatsoper.de/tv I think this link may be easier. Should take you to the correct page with instructions.

Thought I'd put a link here as not everyone reads the "Germany, Austria" section http://www.bayerische.staatsoper.de/1046--~kosmosoper~ballett_tv.html It is on Thursday 13th. Details on the website. Julie Milner

I made it. Dog is poorly but the vets wanted to keep him in and said an afternoon at the ballet was just what they felt I should do then I wouldn't be harassing them.lol A fabulous afternoon. I seriously recommend anyone who can catch this does. A certain someone was wonderful. A true talent. Can I mention names? Well initials DB.:-) For me I like my dancers to be wonderful dancers and actors which is often a problem, even in top companies. In a small company it is essential that the acting and dancing work. It did. Ok I'll admit it a little tear at the end. Pathetic! Its not as if I didn't know the story!!! I think the small companies that tour are to be applauded. It isn't easy. The venues vary, its exhausting. But this company make it work.

Don't believe this. My oldest dog has a poorly eye which isn't improving. I have to take him in tomorrow for them to check. I'm still hoping to make it but it will depend on how he is and how serious the problem. I'm dropping him at 12 and if running to time I should be able to get home and run up the hill to the Assembly Hall. I will be so disappointed if inow miss this.

Katherine thank you. I was just about to try to provide a link myself. Very much looking forward to trying to catch this. Julie.

Great news. So glad it is working out for you.:-)

Back from a great time in Munich. As ever The Bavarian State Ballet did not disappoint. As mentioned before my son dances for the company so I do not feel comfortable doing a "real" review. However a few impressions.:-) This was a triple bill entitled "Forever Young" The 3 pieces were "Broken Fall" Russel Maliphant/ Barry Adamson. This piece premiered at ROH Dec 2003. The BSB first performed it at The Prinzregenten Theatre in January 2012. This is a piece performed by 2 male and 1 female dancer. The performance I saw was Lucia Lacarra, her debut in this role, Marlon Dino and Erik Murzagaliyev. By overall impression was this is very much everything one would expect of Maliphant. The music is quite harsh and the dance is a continual reaction between the 3 dancers. There are alot of lifts, releasing etc. I believe this was first choreographed for Sylvie Guillem. It is not a piece I knew but did have the same "feel" as his later"Push" "The Moor's Pavanne" José Limon/ Purcell, Simon Sadoff. Premiered in Connecticut August 1949. Premiered in Munich 17th Nov 2012. This, of course, is a short "Othello" based dance. 4 dancers The Moor Léonard Engel, His Wife, Ilana Werner, The friend, Lukás Slavicky, His wife Emma Barrowman. The Purcell music is so familiar one feels totally at home even if one does not know the dance. I thoroughly enjoyed this. It needs excellent acting to impart the tragedy and treachery. This it had. "Choreartium" Leonide Massine/Brahmes. Premiered at The Alhambra Theatre London Oct 1933. Premiered in Munich 17th Nov 2012. Again one I have never seen. The beautiful music sweeps one through the beautiful dancing. A much larger cast, with a mix of large groups, solo, duet and smaller groups all performing to an extremely high level. Again I do feel unable to comment on individuals but the piece just flew by with total enjoyment. I do apologise that this isn't a proper review and hopefully others who get to see it can do better. All the ballet I have seen in Munich has been of a very high standard and enjoyable. Both theatres are beautiful. The audiences a joy, who genuinely know and love the dance. Anyone who wants a trip to Munich try to take in the ballet. Julie Milner

He is in Choreartium. Which I think is the last part.

Off to Munich today to see "Forever Young" tomorrow. A triple bill of more contemporary numbers. Very much looking forward to this.

Some great photos. Also a thank you as I didn't even know they had pictures on their site and the first one I clicked on for Bavarian State Ballet was Martin. ( In a rooster suit.lol)