cavycapers Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 I find it quite baffling, the programming of the ENB, for the spring. This happenend last year as well. The last mainstream offering seems to be in mid Jan (Corsaire at the Coliseum). When everyone else is dancing their socks off this season, the ENB are only offering 4 days of 'She Said' and some performances of 'My First....', in the UK. Then the Deane Swan Lake in the Round in June, and that's your lot 'til the Autumn. It's becoming that I no longer need to check their website for what's on. And I love the ENB!!! Can anyone explain of I'm missing something here? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 It seems to me that they are concentrating on foreign tours in the Spring. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A frog Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 They seem to be doing quite a lot of My First, and in many places across the country, it might not be of much interest for the people who post around here, but I'm guessing it brings in more than much of anything else they could be doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 It seems to me that they are concentrating on foreign tours in the Spring. Only a few days in Oman and a week in Paris this year. I feel 'deprived' too but, when one thinks about it, putting on three new ballets in one programme (She Said) must occupy a great deal of creative and rehearsal time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 They seem to be doing quite a lot of My First, and in many places across the country, it might not be of much interest for the people who post around here, but I'm guessing it brings in more than much of anything else they could be doing. I'm not sure anyone in ENB is technically involved in that, though? I thought it was effectively the students? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 I'm not sure anyone in ENB is technically involved in that, though? I thought it was effectively the students? You took the words right out of my keyboard Alison! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aileen Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 Yes, I feel rather deprived too. I'm looking forward to the triple bill next month. Bear in mind that ENB's six week residency at the Coliseum only ended on 24 January and was immediately followed by the mid-season break. I'm a bit disappointed that there's no Choreographics this year; I really enjoyed it last year. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinMM Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 They've just finished touring in Oman and I think,there is now more emphasis given to foreign tours. I wish they had a slightly longer Spring season in UK By the way Capybara I've always thought your username unusual and then today someone posted me a picture on Facebook of some baby Capybaras with their mum. Have never seen this animal before! You learn something every day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 They're one of my favourites Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northstar Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 (edited) In reply to the original post by cavycapers, isn't this part of the ENB strategy since 2014 to increase their touring abroad, as discussed in an older forum topic where the company first announced its plans to go abroad in summer 2015 ? Same strategy this year ? I am in NW England so don't really take detailed note of the frequency of their dancing in London or elsewhere in UK. Up here in the NW 'provinces', there doesn't seem to be much difference in the amount of time ENB is spending here, this year and next, compared to previous years. I have recently tried to make a list of ENB's NW performances over the past 10-15 years and it seems there's usually a couple of weeks/productions in Liverpool/Manchester-combined in Autumn, and rarely something in Spring. And this is indeed the case for next year again. I haven't done the research and maths explicitly, but the older forum topic and cavycapers' question seem indeed to suggest that ENB's increased foreign touring comes at the expense of UK performances outside the NW. Since I'd rarely go to London or elsewhere in the UK to see ballet, this personally doesn't affect me too much, but indeed I sympathise with those who wish to see more of ENB in the UK. Edited March 29, 2016 by northstar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 We used to get ENB twice a year in both Liverpool and Manchester. First Liverpool was dropped in the Spring and then Manchester. When the Lowry opened in 2000 we also lost BRB and Rambert to Salford (and so did Manchester). However, it has to be said that I love going to The Lowry! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwissBalletFan Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 As an outsider, my thoughts on ENB generally, are that the company is increasing becoming what is know as a 'misnomer' (I hope my understanding is correct) The dancers are not very English, the company seems to have a very 'latin' flair since the amazing Ms Rojo's directorship. The company doesn't tour in England anymore it seems. So as a wonderful ground breaking and especially for the females of dance a great place to work. I don't know how much funding from the government they receive, but I would say that as a ballet company its an amazing, inventive and energetic company, but it is certainly not the English National Ballet. Again, as a disclaimer, from an outsider, and which is my general impression, not from an expert insight into the inner workings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 The company tours the UK in the Autumn; it is the Spring Tour that has been largely lost to foreign touring. The Company also does a long season in London over Christmas and the New Year as well as instigating a week in the Spring at Sadler's Wells and the "in the round" season at RAH. They are a great company to watch, I wish I could see more of them but I can't fit everything in. I don't care what they are called! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavycapers Posted March 29, 2016 Author Share Posted March 29, 2016 (edited) The ENB do tour extensively in the Autumn, I saw them three times in Bristol, and then they do a long Nutcracker every year over Christmas, and as I said, a few Corsaires at the the Coli in January, but then, for UK adult fans, they go very quiet, when everyone else seems to be offering exciting programmes in the spring. It seems odd, as the English National Ballet, to be performing abroad in the major seasons. Sorry janet, i think we were posting at same time, and said the same thing. I don't care what they're called, but I do wonder how rhey're funded. Edited March 29, 2016 by cavycapers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavycapers Posted March 29, 2016 Author Share Posted March 29, 2016 I'm just being grumpy, i know, but it's been the same for a couple of years, there is nothing to be excited about from mid Jan until the next Autumn, and I love the ENB. Actually, just seen the 2016/17 progamme, and am not much cheered. http://blog.ballet.org.uk/201617-season-autumn-spring-announcement/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northstar Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 (edited) We used to get ENB twice a year in both Liverpool and Manchester. First Liverpool was dropped in the Spring and then Manchester. When the Lowry opened in 2000 we also lost BRB and Rambert to Salford (and so did Manchester). However, it has to be said that I love going to The Lowry! Thank you Janet for that info from direct experience, my statements were based on what I could find from the internet. As I said, I hadn't done the research carefully enough it seems. I stand corrected. When you say Liverpool then Manchester were dropped in Spring, when did this happen ? - since Rojo took over, or earlier ? (Rather shamefully I've only really taken interest in ENB and its NW touring since Rojo took over, my relationship with BRB at the Lowry Salford goes back much further - I too love that theatre) Interesting comments from SwissBalletFan and I think some valid points but I'll just remark that the new (January this year) female principal is Lauretta Summerscales who is as English as they come. I too have a 'non expert' sense that the company has a strong latin component to it, but dancers like Fernanda Oliveria, Yonah Acosta, Junor Souza were there before Rojo became artistic director. I'd agree with Janet that I don't really care what the company is called. American Ballet Theatre might be considered to be similarly mis-named, perhaps. Edited March 29, 2016 by northstar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 Liverpool lost Spring a long time ago - at least 10 years I would think - Manchester maybe 5 or 6 years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwissBalletFan Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 Interesting comments from SwissBalletFan and I think some valid points but I'll just remark that the new (January this year) female principal is Lauretta Summerscales who is as English as they come. I too have a 'non expert' sense that the company has a strong latin component to it, but dancers like Fernanda Oliveria, Yonah Acosta, Junor Souza were there before Rojo became artistic director. I'd agree with Janet that I don't really care what the company is called. American Ballet Theatre might be considered to be similarly mis-named, perhaps. Janet / Capybara, I am not also worried about the name, but interested in the funding and how the RB (everyone wants homegrown talent to be promoted vs hiring outside principals) vs ENB which is an amazing company, but these British standards do not seem to come up for them. As I say, I am no expert at all, just my 2 penneth. Thank you for the history of which I was not aware northstar. I think its great about Lauretta becoming Principal, however on fear of going on a tangent, is ENB the only company that has a Principal, who is still second rank in the company to Lead Principal? It reminds me awfully of the 2 examples that make me laugh about how something that is the same (best dancer) is given an improved name, just to make a point. These examples being the 5 star General when the US knew that the highest general in the UK had 4 stars, and so thought that as it was the US they should have one star higher. My personal favourite being Spinal Tap and that it goes up to 11, so it is louder than all other speakers that go to 10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northstar Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 (edited) Liverpool lost Spring a long time ago - at least 10 years I would think - Manchester maybe 5 or 6 years ago. Well then I am even more ashamed that I did not take the more plentiful past opportunities to see them dance in the NW, as I've been living here for getting on for 20 years. I have really got excited about ENB since Rojo took over and brought Cojocaru with her, but ENB was my first ballet in the 1990s (Derek Deane Nutcracker) which blew me away and I now wish I'd seen more of their productions. I did see ENB Rite of Spring in Manchester in the early 2000s, but somehow I ended up having a closer relationship with BRB, until Rojo took the ENB helm. So it would seem that the reduced Liverpool/Manchester appearances that you outline Janet are not linked to the recently increased foreign touring that started in 2015. I wonder what made ENB reduce it's NW England touring in the last decade ? I can imagine the global financial crisis of ~2008 didn't help its funding from government. SwissBalletFan I also am not keen on the Lead Principal rank. Not that I'm an expert but I don't know of any other companies that have it. But yes, that's probably going off-topic, that might have been discussed on the forum before, not done exhaustive search but here is one topic that touches on it. Edited March 29, 2016 by northstar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 Interesting comments from SwissBalletFan and I think some valid points but I'll just remark that the new (January this year) female principal is Lauretta Summerscales who is as English as they come. As, despite her name, is Begona Cao. As for the reduced Spring touring, I think that's been going on for quite a few years now. It used to be that many of their venues had two visits a year, but this now seems to have been reduced to one - and since they tour at a loss, I doubt that things are likely to improve in that respect, given the current economic climate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northstar Posted March 30, 2016 Share Posted March 30, 2016 (edited) Following this discussion I went back to my research into ENB performances in Liverpool/Manchester, as I can get bit obsessive about things like this. If anyone is interested .... The last Spring performance of ENB in Liverpool/Manchester that I can find record of was Peter Schaufuss' Diana (Princess of Wales) which I think was a 'test' which went no further. Before that there was a Spring Swan Lake in Liverpool AND Manchester in 2004, and in Autumn 2003 Cinderella (Manchester Palace), and Nutcracker (Liverpool Empire, Scarfe/Hampson) So I can't find a Spring ENB performance in Liverpool or Manchester in the last 10 years. I've tracked down an interesting article in the Times (February 5, 2004, Jack Malvern) which details the financial difficulties the company faced when the Coliseum was closed for refurbishment at that time. Their cash cow of the Nutcracker was performed at the Hammersmith Apollo and resulted in significantly lower income. Is it a coincidence that they (perhaps) stopped Springtime performances in the North after this time ? Edited March 30, 2016 by northstar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted March 30, 2016 Share Posted March 30, 2016 Diana The Princess was performed by Peter Schaufuss own company, based in Denmark. His involvement with ENB ended in 1990/91. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northstar Posted March 30, 2016 Share Posted March 30, 2016 Yes thanks Janet for the correction, Diana The Princess performed in Manchester was NOT by ENB. I'm not obsessive enough, obviously. Academic, but I forgot to mention the date it was shown in Manchester, March 2005. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 I've been trying to forget I ever saw it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridiem Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 An interesting discussion. In relation to ENB's name, I think it does have significance given that it was a new name chosen as being more appropriate than the former London Festival Ballet. But yes, I presume the reduced touring within England has been because of financial considerations. Big shame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 And boy, did the original name change cause a ruckus back in 1990, or whenever it was! I seem to remember some balletomanes threatening boycotts, ... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 I remember that too Alison! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLOSS Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 (edited) According to Craig Hassall the managing director who left the company in 2012 ENB's UK tours lost £100,000 a week at that time. I wonder what the losses are currently? Presumably foreign tours have the merit of being cost neutral if not actually turning a profit. The smaller the over all tour losses the greater the opportunity to use the London season as a way of making some money for the company rather than merely covering its losses. ACE must be happy with the amount of foreign touring the company is undertaking. It may well see it as evidence of the current regime's financial competence in that rather than throwing up their hands and saying there is nothing that can be done about losses on regional tours they have modified their business plan to reduce them.. Edited March 31, 2016 by FLOSS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fonty Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 Takahashi isn't British, but she was a graduate of the ENB school Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavycapers Posted March 31, 2016 Author Share Posted March 31, 2016 I'm sure that whatever the ENB is having to do is for finanacial reasons, and is being done competently. I just mourn the presence of the ENB in the UK for long stretches of the year. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Q Fan Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 I do not think ENB tours "that" much just a short trip to Oman and a short one to Paris so far this year is hardly major touring like say the Bolshoi do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavycapers Posted April 4, 2016 Author Share Posted April 4, 2016 I'm sure that whatever the ENB is having to do is for finanacial reasons, and is being done competently. I just mourn the presence of the ENB in the UK for long stretches of the year. They do work very hard as a company. I'm sure it is for financial reasons, but I feel that there is very little now for me. The UK R and J tour was lovely, but I have seen their Corsaire enough, the Nutcracker doesn't interest me, the My First... productions and the in the round stuff at the RAH are not my thing. And i'm sure it's because they are all money makers, but there's only been one thing I've wanted to see this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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