Its her Life

http://www.charlieandthechocolatefactory.com/charlieandthechocolatefactory-auditions.asp

There's a website www.theatredigsbooker.com which might be useful. Never used them, but they do advertise on 'stagejobspro' so imagine all the actors & backstage staff may use them.

LinMM. These backless bras have straps which cross over down at the lower back and then fasten at the front. Wish I'd kept mine now. But I will certainly look at some of the websites suggested.

The trouble with the dance underwear by Capezio/Bloch etc is that I suspect that it will be like their leotards not really above a size 12/14 so imagine bras will be too small

 

Could be wrong of course will look next week when in London!

 

I am fascinated by the idea of this backless bra!! How does it stay on then if it doesn't fasten at the back!

Can I just say, my dd was a ballet girl in Billy Elliot for 2 years (2007-09) and we live on the south coast, so way out of the M25 corridor. We also know at least 12 other girls from the south coast who have been in the show at some point, plus a few others from bit further north around Burgess Hill/Haywards Heath area. So they definitely do take on girls further field, unless of course they have become much stricter in recent times. The children's casting director when my dd was in it was Jessica Ronane. Auditions for Billy, Matilda & Charlie are always advertised in The Stage, in fact I saw one for Charlie only a couple of weeks ago. Jo Hawes is the casting director for that.

Can't help you with any recommendations personally, but one poster on here Lildancer96 previously posted that her dd was living with a host family whilst training at Tring, so maybe you could send her a pm direct as she may be able to help you further.

I remember buying a backless bra when I was a teenager or in my early twenties (many moons ago!), but have looked everywhere for one for my dd now and can't seem to find one anywhere.  Can't believe they don't sell them anymore.  However, the whole bra market has changed from what it used to be with places like M&S and Debenhams stocking mainly all their own brand and very little range from other traditional manufacturers like Gossard, Triumph, Fantasie etc. 

A good forum member to comment on this would be CeliB as her ds has been training at the Kirov in Washingto since he was 14.

The number of A levels studied varies from one student to another. There are many just doing 1 or 2, some 3 and even a couple of girls I believe this year doing 4. Then there are also some who do none at all. Many start off doing a subject & then end up dropping it. They also have a lot of theory work (called IPS) required for the Diploma in Dance.

All the 1st year sixth form board onsite, unless of course they are day pupils or have chosen to board with a home stay family. Most the 2nd years stay in boarding houses off-site but which are still owned & run by the school & supervised by houseparents. (However, a small number still board onsite with the 1st years) The 3rd years are treated as day pupils and are responsible for finding their own accommodation in town, ie private flats/shared houses etc.

Congratulations osmum. So pleased for you and your dd.

Don't worry, there is plenty of free street parking. The school is right in the middle of a residential area. In fact, if memory serves me correctly, I don't even think the school itself had a car park, but I'm not 100% sure.

When my dd auditioned last year, we stayed at the Holiday Inn just outside Aylesbury. Managed to get a good deal at the time. It had free parking & was a 10 min drive back down the A41 to Tring.

Thought I would post the attached link from the RBS announcing the sad news about Gailene Stock

http://www.royalballetschool.org.uk/2014/04/gailene-stock-1946-2014/

Hi Dancers Driver. No my dd hasn't booked for this particular class as already has a lot on around that time. She's already just taken part in classes with Melissa Hamilton, Sarah Lamb & Begona Cao over the Easter so may have to give this one a miss!

I watched her teach a masterclass at the RAD back in March - very inspiring.

I know of 4 British non-vocational girls and 1 British boy who got places at ENBS this year. One of these is kat09's dd though and I don't know but obviously one could be Goldfish's.

When my dd auditioned for Rambert last year and I was on the tour with parents (whilst dd was in audition) I actually raised this fact & said I thought it was sad that the students themselves didn't get a chance to see round and they said anyone was welcome to stay on after their audition and go on the tour with the afternoon group of parents. So if there is anyone on this forum still to audition for Rambert, just ask them. I agree, it's so important to be able to look round.

Sorry, having just re-read more info on their website, that figure appears to be for a one 12 week term, not the whole year! Thought it sounded too good to be true! Even so though, still much cheaper than other places and food provided.

Can't believe the difference in price between Student Castle and Queen Alexandra House where all the ENB girls stay. QAH is only £2,890.21 per year (or less if smaller room) & that also includes food! I know it is a long way from Central, but surely worth considering if money is tight. Even with a tube season ticket it still works out so much cheaper.

Think some also live in the studio flats right next to the school (just opposite the entrance) and some are at International Student House, but I believe that's for over 18's only.

Asked my dd why they wear them & she said it's because in contemporary you have to do a lot of sliding the feet. Socks make this easier. Also I do believe it helps prevent blisters & tearing the skin as well.

All the senior girls wear socks for contemporary. My dd says they don't slip. She has foot thongs as well though.

There is no way I would want my dd to commute daily from anywhere in the UK to London to attend vocational training. The school day is long and tiring and I'm not sure what Central's finishing times are,, but at my dd's it is 6.30. I am sure Central is probably about the same. My dd has commuted daily to London for a couple of summer schools in the past, one of which was Central, and she was exhausted, especially when there are delays and cancellations on the trains.

Macnutt - Send Friends a pm. She knows everything there is to know about student accommodation in London for 16 year olds. See her post above.

There's also a lovely restaurant in the square called Mazar. Their food and coffee have always been superb whenever I've eaten there & it's always busy, so very popular.