DavidW

As more of a Gremin than an Onegin, I have to agree! Cranko also takes some artistic liberties with the characters compared to Pushkin's original novel (or, at least, that was my interpretation). In the novel Onegin doesn't rip up Tatiana's letter in front of her at the party: instead he meets her in the woods and there's a heartbreaking scene where he explains how he can't love anyone devoutly enough to become their wife but: “If I had wanted life restricted // To living in domestic bliss; … I’d doubtless choose no other bride // Than you to cherish at my side.” A lot more considerate than ripping up the letter! Also, Tatiana seems to waver less in the final scene in Pushkin's poem (and, in fact, Onegin is the one left alone in the room, rather than Tatiana). I'm intrigued to see what the characters are like in the opera - I'm watching it in the local cinema on the 20th.

I was at the Royal Opera House on Wed and we got to talk to one of the guys responsible for set changes and one thing he pointed out about triple bills is that they generally have to lay a new lino floor down for each ballet (or, if it's A Month in the Country, a cloth one!) which takes a fair bit of time. It hadn't crossed my mind that different ballets require different coloured linos!

Am I right in thinking that the BBC Phil (or maybe it's the BBC Concert Orch) play for some RB Nutcracker performances?

Here's the clip:

Oh, and I'm pretty sure the Bristol SI was only a week long last year [i only joined in September] although Yury and Chika want to make it two weeks. It's held in the same place as the Youth Ballet Company rehearsals - the studio is part of a larger gym/racquet club and the students can use the pool/jacuzzi after class for a nice cool down I don't know what level your son is but Yury and Chika are great at teaching to range of levels - I've only been dancing for around 2 and a bit years (starting at the tender age of 23!) and might take class there with boys who have spent years at vocational school and we all get a lot of benefit from it.

Just to add another recommendation for the Bristol Russian Ballet School/Youth Ballet Company! As a guy, it is amazing to be taught by Yury in 'male technique' and variations - he has seemingly boundless knowledge and constantly teaches me new things

I too saw both the afternoon and evening performances of Onegin yesterday. I've never seen Onegin before (nor read the original verse-novel or seen the opera) so can certainly not comment on how accurate a portrayal was given! Here's my tuppence worth though. I was simply blown away by this ballet, and it certainly has gone straight into my favourite ballets. I know it isn't the done thing to comment on rehearsals so I will try not be specific but urge everyone to grab the handful of remaining tickets for Nuñez's debut next Saturday! The evening performance was sublime - I personally thought Alina and Reilly worked very well together (have they ever danced the ballet together before?). Alina's Tatiana seemed youthful and naïve as she fell for Onegin, with more than a hint of maturity revealing itself during the mirror pas de deux. Reilly's Onegin was overtly a nasty man from the start, making his breakdown following the duel all that more shocking. In Act III Alina's Tatiana seemed content with her marriage to Prince Gremin (Gartside) and their Pas de Deux was an effortless (even viewed as closely as from C99 in the SC!) display of partnerwork displaying this happiness. Finally, the closing scene was as intense and emotional as any ballet I've seen. McRae and Takada were fantastic as Lensky and Olga, with McRae's pre-duel solo particularly fine. All in all a fantastic performance - can't wait for a repeat viewing next Saturday and on the 30th (any ideas if Kobborg will have recovered by then?)

Very interesting casting! I think there's a name missing from the second cast for Hansel and Gretal though?

They've started doing themed items for different productions - a really nice touch I think! There's details here: http://www.roh.org.uk/news/christmas-menus-for-the-2012-festive-season - I like the sound of the White Swan/Black Swan cocktails for the two intervals

It's certainly on my list of must-sees for 2013, along with their Aladdin and Giselle! Actually, come to think of it, the "crowd pleaser" for RB this winter could be the new (Acosta) production of Don Q - although I don't think that would be what Stearns would be dancing - from what I've heard he's more of a Prince-role danseur?

I was hoping for Coppélia as the "crowd pleaser" production this Winter...

Thanks Anjuli! I was a bit nervous about sharing but thought you guys might enjoy

A few weeks ago a photographer came to one of my (adult) classes to take some promotional pictures for the teacher. Whilst there he filmed us doing the adage exercise and, seeing as I've been sharing my journey with you all, I thought I'd share the video: http://www.youtube.com/embed/5FQJZCjONEU I'm the (only) guy in the front in the green top - any tips or pointers are definitely welcome!

Belljul - I emailed the SIBA Academy email address asking about the scholarship and they got back to me in a matter of minutes! They're really friendly and answered all my questions. Now I just need to decide whether to apply or not...!

Indeed it does! Thank you so much to everyone for their kind words - certainly gives me a lift whenever I get a bit annoyed at my dancing...

The Ballet Bag have just posted a collection of pics by Alice Pennefather of the rehearsal cast: http://www.theballetbag.com/2012/12/05/macmillan-concerto-hermanas-requiem-photo-gallery-rehearsal/ Some great ones in there - and looking through them sertainly reminded me just how great a triple bill this was. I'm heartened by O'Hare's emphasis on MacMillan's works and hope it continues in the coming seasons.

That's such a shame - I was looking forward to Lauren's Firebird. Mind you, I've been really impressed with Mendizabal recently (particularly liked her in Concerto) so eager to see her interpretation. Any news on if Lauren with be doing In The Night in the same triple bill? It's such a shame Lauren's injury is taking some time to recover from (I'm guessing it's the same thing as her operation this summer) but hopefully by not rushing back she'll be fighting fit for later in the season - with Alice (inc a live relay), Bayadere and Mayerling she's got a very busy BP3!

Hi 2dancersmum! I don't think I caught you after the performance - I think I had to dash to move out of the accommodation and get the train back home... That's very kind words from your DD's teacher (although I think part of it was that your DD was very easy to partner - she seemed to trust me which meant I was fighting against her movement but working with it instead). I always enjoy partnering and I aim to try and be as attentive as possible so it means a lot to hear that. It's also really nice to hear the other comments - I'm just enjoying myself when dancing! Is your DD going to do Ballet Cymru SI again? I'm hoping to but it depends when it is (and I'll be attending the SI with the Russian YBC I dance with too..). Hope you DD is well!

Thanks Julie and Aileen! Aileen - I'm quite happy just keeping up my ballet recreationally - perhaps if I'd started a bit younger I'd consider a career but I don't think I'm anywhere near talented enough to start late. I'm hoping to keep getting more and more involved with ballet though - maybe once I've past my performing 'prime' I could look at something like getting a teaching qualification... Need lots more experience first though!

The head of my University's police department in the States (they had their own police force just for the Uni!) was called Kenneth Cop. Born for the job!

Currently reading James Clavell's Shogun which I'm enjoying immensely. Also dipping in and out of Apollo's Angels, as I have been wont to do for the last year or so. Only just up to Petipa/Tchaikovsky but some fascinating information in there - I never realised that Ivanov choreographed the "white acts" of Swan Lake and Petipa did the rest!

Are the Mariinsky not doing a 3D Nutcracker in cinemas this December too?

Okay, it's been a little while since I last posted here but just thought I'd give you all an update... It's pretty much all been good news! Firstly, I auditioned for my University Dance Society in September and on Saturday we competed at a competition at Royal Holloway... And we won the ballet category! I was the only guy in the ballet groups (surprise surprise...) and our group did Waltz of the Flowers from Nutcracker (with me as the Nutcracker!). It was a lot of fun and whilst there's been quite a bit of drama along the way (incl people refusing to speak during rehearsals etc) picking up the trophy made it all seem worth it. I'm not dancing with them next term due to work commitments and the fact I don't want to spend my time involved in "Drama'z" during rehearsals but I'm glad I competed with them this term. Next, my rehearsals with the Russian Youth Ballet Company have been going great. Recently the guys have learnt Basilio's variation from Don Q and the male variation from the Pas d'Esclave in Corsaire - both really tricky and knackering but so much fun. Then this week I found out I've been cast as Rothbart in Swan Lake for our show in April! We're doing a cut down version (mainly concentrating on Act II) but I've got two(!) variations alongside various mime and smaller sections. Time to start practising! The people running the YBC have also invited me to take their advanced classes at their school which I'm going to do twice a week. Their school are doing the dances for Act I and III of the Swan lake and they want me to dance in those too! I'm so pleased I found them - they both seem to realise I want to take ballet seriously (despite being a little older) and are constantly pushing me. Just yesterday they had me attempting another new move: it was like a cross between a pas de ciseaux and a cabriole devant - you do a cabriole devant but instead of beating you scissor your legs through and then back open! So much fun! Work is limiting how much ballet I'll be able to do, but I'm certainly keeping up the Russian classes and YBC - can't wait to perform in April! (I'm even going to let some of my friends come...)

I'm afraid that, excepting the PdD, I was a little bored by the Flames of Paris DVD... Don't know if I'll make the trip in to see it. Hopefully they'll bring a mixed bill along too (perhaps McGregor's new Rite of Spring?)

I think it's fantastic new for Alex - his fans in Birmingham get a chance to see him dance and he gets more experience in a Principal-level role (I wonder if O'Hare will take a trip up to Brum to watch?). I was just thinking last week (watching a clip of him rehearsing a PdD from it) how perfect he would be for BRB's Aladdin - I guess it's unlikely though...