Jane S Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 ...with immediate effect. But no details of where he's going.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 Yes, ROH released a very short statement but with no details. Bit of a shock! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mijosh Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 My gut feeling is that the very wealthy gentleman behind the Mikhaylovsky has been poaching again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Q Fan Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 OMG I don' believe it I wanted to see him SO much in Alice wonder who'll replace him now? Unbelievable! If it is Mikhailovsky then I think they must be going for ballet world domination!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann Williams Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 It's made the front page of tomorrow's Telegraph together with a pic. of Polunin. Â If it is Mikhhailovsk dangling big bucks, then I hate him in the same way and for the same reason that I hate Rupert Murdoch - he snatches away everthing that's good once he realises that he can make yet more money from it. Â I'm going to lie down in a darkened room now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Macmillan Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 The Telegraph article: Â http://www.telegraph...yal-Ballet.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 Here's a picture of tomorrow's front page from the Telegraph's twitter account: Â https://twitter.com/...6855808/photo/1 Â I can't believe it's made the front page! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Macmillan Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 Essentially the same as the Telegraph:  http://www.theartsdesk.com/dance/royal-ballet-star-shock-resignation  http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/24/star-dancer-quits-royal-ballet/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Well, this evening has really gone downhill fast since I got in this evening! This is a real shock. In the half hour that it's taken me actually to get into and read this thread, I've been wondering, "but where would he go? Surely not the Mikhailovsky!" I guess we'll have to wait and see what he's going to do, but apart from anything else it's really going to throw the RB casting into chaos - he's cast in so much, including The Dream next week. Presumably the Sadler's Wells thing this weekend will be going ahead as announced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SusanR Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 I am heartbroken! I was so looking forward to watching his progress. All the best for the future, Sergei. Don't give up dancing, you have such a great talent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Thanks for putting up so quickly Jane!  I put up on the front page shortly after and this morning have added 3 pictures - he is such a powerful presence in all: http://www.ballet.co.uk/2012/01/sergei-polunin-leaving-royal-ballet-instantly  Some Tweets gone out or going out: "A truly explosive performance" from a review of Polunin's graduation performance in Aug 2007 by reader Ian Macmillan: http://www.ballet.co.uk/magazines/yr_07/aug07/im_rev_royal_ballet_school_0707.htm  Sergei Polunin - links to over 250 reviews that have mentioned him: http://www.ballet.co.uk/cgi/reviews_database_search/db_search.cgi?dancer_names=Polunin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Macmillan Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 More in today's papers, though I think they are largely re-hashing each other's guesses in a general display of knowing not a lot about what's going on:  Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/dance/9037829/Sergei-Polunin-felt-constricted-at-Royal-Ballet.html  Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2012/jan/25/royal-ballet-sergei-polunin-quits  Over on Twitter, which others of you will follow more closely than myself, there appear to be hints about who knows what in the background and that this has perhaps been a long time coming. If so, and if it genuinely all blew open yesterday afternoon, I'd be a bit taken aback. Has he been taken on by an Agent, or is it all his own doing? And is there no Notice Period in a theatrical contract? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabriole Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 He is such a talented dancer ,let us hope he is well advised ,the reason he has left will come out eventually . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Macmillan Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 The Evening Standard has caught up:  http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/theatre/article-24030891-tattoos-tutus-and-tantrums-at-royal-ballet.do  from which it seems his Mum has no more idea than the rest of us. And the traffic on Twitter continues apace .......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackdove Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Absolutely stunned when this news broke.Whatever Sergei is planning for the future I wish him well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Arrowsmith Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 << it's really going to throw the RB casting into chaos - he's cast in so much>>,   I'l repeat here what I said on the old ballet.co last night:  Scarcely a surprise for such a raw talent.  I’ve seen Polunin dance everybody else off the stage (in Voluntaries and Symphony in C) and be wayward (Ballo della regina).  His debuts in classical roles have been uneven. His Solor was mightily impressive, his prince in Sleeping Beauty much less so.  In Alice’s Adventures, the choreography didn’t particularly utilise Polunin’s abilities – and he did not make much of an impression.  Clearly Polunin thinks he has big feet – I hope that he will find the big shoes that will fit him well.  His departure highlights again how few performance opportunities principals have at the RB. Their urge to perform is indulged with guest appearances elsewhere.  But one man’s departure creates opportunities for others.  I hope Johannes Stepanek gets his chance in Month in the Country. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Macmillan Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 TV's Channel 4 has now chimed in with an article, "How hard is the life of a professional ballet dancer?"  http://www.channel4....l-ballet-dancer  as Polunin's departure "has once again raised the issue of the pressures faced by professional dancers, highlighted dramatically in Darren Aronofsky's 2010 film, Black Swan."  Oh dear! I'm beginning to think that maybe he was an a spy all along, that his cover has been blown, and Moscow Central has recalled him. No less likely than the Tattoo Parlour explanation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annamicro Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 (edited) Incredibly the new arrived also in this desolate and depressed ballet area!!! http://www.repubblica.it/persone/2012/01/25/foto/sergei_polunin_abbandona_il_royal_ballet-28751315/1/ He became Sergei BOULIN: probaly here in Italy the press thinks that all the dancers must have a name starting with "BO", as an homage to "the greatest etoile of the world" :-( Edited January 25, 2012 by annamicro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aruna S Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 And is there no Notice Period in a theatrical contract? Â I've been asking myself the same question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aruna S Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Incredibly the new arrived also in this desolate and depressed ballet area!!! http://www.repubblic...let-28751315/1/ He became Sergei BOULIN: probaly here in Italy the press thinks that all the dancers must have a name starting with "BO", as an homage to "the greatest etoile of the world" :-( Â Sorry to be so ignorant but I've been racking my brains and I can't think of the etoile whose name starts with "BO". Who is it please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Mallinson Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Bolle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annamicro Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Sorry to be so ignorant but I've been racking my brains and I can't think of the etoile whose name starts with "BO". Who is it please? Â This is Freudian. Of course JohnM is right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aruna S Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Bolle, of course! (smacks forehead). Can't imagine how I forgot him, goodness knows the Italian press gives him lots and lots of attention! OMG it *is* Freudian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane S Posted January 25, 2012 Author Share Posted January 25, 2012 There's a later article in the Guardian now with lots of quotes from Tamara Rojo, very strongly admiring and supportive of Polunin: Â http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2012/jan/25/royal-ballet-shocked-sergei-polunin?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487 Â I have found his performances amongst the most rewarding I've seen at the Royal Ballet in many years and for me at least if he doesn't come back he will be a very great loss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annamicro Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 another article http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/dance/9038573/Sergei-Polunin-the-ballet-cheek-of-it.html  I'm really annoyed by the way journalists are reporting short message from twitter and making conclusions... And I'm surprised to find people here and there already happily thinking to replace a roaring Ferrari with honest and competent Toyotas. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane S Posted January 25, 2012 Author Share Posted January 25, 2012 .... and for me at least if he doesn't come back he will be a very great loss. Â ...and for Louise Levene too: Â http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/dance/9038573/Sergei-Polunin-the-ballet-cheek-of-it.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Macmillan Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 The piece on tonight's Channel 4 News: Â http://www.channel4.com/news/catch-up/display/playlistref/250112/clipid/250112_4ON_ballet_25 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 I've been asking myself the same question. As I'm sure quite a few of us have. In a "normal" business, key staff would likely be on 3 months' notice - I can't imagine it would be any less for a ballet company, in view of the scheduling problems a shorter term would cause. After all, the dancers who went to Japan back in the late 90s I think gave 3 months' notice - although I don't think Kumakawa did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 (edited) I'm really annoyed by the way journalists are reporting short message from twitter and making conclusions... Â So am I (and if I find another of Andy Murray's tweets quoted in the Australian Open coverage, I think I shall scream. It's lazy journalism, especially when the "quotee" is available for interview. But I digress ...). Basically, nobody really seems to know anything, so they're just grabbing at anything that will make a story, it seems to me. Loads of facts stitched together, irrespective of whether they make anything even vaguely watertight. Â BTW, I had another read of the Evening Standard's article on the tube this evening, and got the impression that extra had been added. Whether there's any truth in that, again, is anybody's guess. Â And Louise Levene in her piece makes quite a thing about all his dates being sold out. That, as far as I can recall from the winter booking programme (the rest not being publicly on sale yet), is 2 Romeo and Juliets and three The Dreams. I haven't found any R&Js that *aren't* sold out, irrespective of who's dancing them, and previous experience leads me to suspect that the presence of a certain Mr. Acosta in the other half of the double bill on all 3 occasions is probably a greater contributing factor to sales than Polunin's. Edited January 26, 2012 by alison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 So, more and more is being written (and recorded) on this subject, more hyperbole, more and more quotes, often taken out of context, more and more speculation, assumptions and the like, whether well-founded or not. I don't imagine any of this can be helping the situation one bit. I'm sure we shall have a better idea once the dust has settled a bit, but that may not be immediately. In the meantime, the dancers have got performances to rehearse for, and life has to go on, more or less as normal ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Macmillan Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 In the meantime, the dancers have got performances to rehearse for, and life has to go on, more or less as normal ... Â As this saga has worn on, the thing that has rather got me simmering is Ivan Putrov on TV describing himself (and Polunin, of course) as 'artists,' in some way on a higher plane than other dancers who belong to companies, but who are simply 'craftsmen.' I fear that the dear chap may have, as they say, got somewhat up himself. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Q Fan Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 I think a notice period can be waived if you forego your salary? Â If anyone is going to see him at Sadlers Wells then maybe wait at the Stage Door and ask him about his plans?! Wonder if Ivan Putrov had an influence? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annamicro Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 previous experience leads me to suspect that the presence of a certain Mr. Acosta in the other half of the double bill on all 3 occasions is probably a greater contributing factor to sales than Polunin's. Â If somebody want to see Acosta, there is plenty of tickets for the 5th of March. the only of Carlos' performances paired with The Dream second cast. For sure the "insignificant" presence of Alina Cojocaru has not had any effect on the sales of the first cast with her and Polunin, but in any case The Dream seems to have played a great role at box office. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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