Emeralds Posted February 2 Author Share Posted February 2 I wasn't at the Zoom talk but I have always thought of Fille, Two Pigeons, Sylvia and Cinderella (Ashton's or Bintley's) as classics rather than heritage works 😀 ...because Fille is from 1789 (same as the Revolution), Sylvia from 1876, Two Pigeons from 1886 (the latter two both choreographed by Louis Merante) and the ballets are simply Ashton's production of what he thought they were - not an attempt at a historical reconstruction but his version of a classical ballet, as opposed to Enigma Variations and Marguerite & Armand, which I would call heritage works. Whatever he said, the main thing is that he is programming the works that are both fun ballets for the audience and classics with great roles for the dancers. If I had to choose between someone who says the right things but doesn't deliver the great ballets, and someone who says the wrong things but delivers the great ballets like Fille, Coppelia, Giselle etc I would pick the latter every time. But the key thing is (to quote @Jan McNulty) .... Fille Fille Fille! It's coming back, and what joy that is. 🎀 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SheilaC Posted February 2 Share Posted February 2 Acosta also made similar statements in a long interview in the Dancing Times, so his views are in print. I wrote a long letter, criticising his views, which was also published, and which attracted considerable agreement, both in the magazine and to me personally. BRB has a very able administrator in Caroline Miller, and people suspect she has managed to achieve a more balanced approach. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSR101 Posted February 2 Share Posted February 2 Carlos seems to have a policy of inviting a 'star' prima every year to highlight the company and for the dancers to learn from - 2022 Nunez/Muntagirov Don Q, 2023 Semionova Swan Lake, 2024 Alina Sleeping Beauty. I'd be interested to see who might get an invite - presumably for Cinderella since it's always been in the first ballet of the calendar year I think. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emeralds Posted February 2 Author Share Posted February 2 57 minutes ago, TSR101 said: Carlos seems to have a policy of inviting a 'star' prima every year to highlight the company and for the dancers to learn from - 2022 Nunez/Muntagirov Don Q, 2023 Semionova Swan Lake, 2024 Alina Sleeping Beauty. I'd be interested to see who might get an invite - presumably for Cinderella since it's always been in the first ballet of the calendar year I think. Just some fun guesses.... Iana Salenko or Tiler Peck for Cinderella??? Doesn't fit the pattern of the spring ballet but there was the incredible Laura Rodriguez in Nutcracker (ie late November to early December)- I didn't manage to see her in Nutcracker as November to early December is always tricky for me schedule-wise but she was stunning in an excerpt from Carmen (Acosta's version) with Javier Rojas and in Mermaid (Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui's choreography) with Acosta for his 50th birthday celebration in July. Did anyone here catch Rodriguez in Nutcracker? Or maybe they might invite a guest for the role of the Prince. Angelo Greco of San Francisco Ballet or Guillaume Diop of the Paris Opera Ballet? (These are totally imaginary fun guesses. I have absolutely no intel about who is being considered or even whether there will be any guest.) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pas de Quatre Posted February 2 Share Posted February 2 How do people feel about one of the Ugly sisters wearing a fat suit? It made me feel uncomfortable when I first saw it, and today when there are highly publicised issues about ballet dancers being fat shamed perhaps it should be discarded. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Perregrino Posted February 2 Share Posted February 2 2 hours ago, Pas de Quatre said: How do people feel about one of the Ugly sisters wearing a fat suit? It made me feel uncomfortable when I first saw it, and today when there are highly publicised issues about ballet dancers being fat shamed perhaps it should be discarded. Dancers wear padding of various thicknesses to create and become all sorts of diverse characters in many ballets. e.g. in the RB Cinderella the step-sisters wore padding, and there is also Napoleon and Wellington amongst others. Don Quixote & Sancho Panchez wear padding in Don Q. And so does Widow Simone in La Fille. The courtiers & suitors in Sleeping Beauty, the ambassadors in Swan Lake. The party guests in The Nutcracker….. the list goes on and on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pas de Quatre Posted February 2 Share Posted February 2 It isn't the same thing, using padding to create a character or make an accurate historical costume. The problem is in creating a costume specifically to mock a young woman because she is too fat and thus ugly. Likewise the other sister is mocked because she is too thin, unacceptable and totally out of touch with modern thinking about mental health issues. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Perregrino Posted February 2 Share Posted February 2 (edited) The sisters in the BRB production are called Skinny and Dumpy and are costumed accordingly. So, if I understand correctly, what you’’re actually asking is whether the story of a ballet created in 2010 that reflected Prokovievs original 1945 narrative needs to be changed to accommodate present day sensitivities? Edited February 2 by PeterS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pas de Quatre Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 (edited) Exactly! There are many things considered normal in the past that are no longer acceptable. Edited February 3 by Pas de Quatre 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aruna S Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 I'm very excited to see that Fille is scheduled for the next season, it's one of my favourite ballets. It'll have to be a flying visit since I already have a lengthy stay in London in November when Regent's Opera is staging the Ring. Currently pondering whether to go to Birmingham, which I've never visited, or stick to Sadler's Wells. Any advice on the Hippodrome vs Sadler's Wells, and on possible accomodation in Birmingham would be very much appreciated. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 (edited) Try this thread, for a start: EDIT: Indeed, so that they don't get lost in the general discussion, I've moved the comments on things to do and places to stay in Birmingham to that thread. Edited February 4 by alison 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aruna S Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 Thank you, Sim and Alison. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Perregrino Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 (edited) 14 hours ago, Pas de Quatre said: Exactly! There are many things considered normal in the past that are no longer acceptable. I’ve been reflecting on this. As part of a narrative story I think that it is acceptable to have characters behaving towards other characters in ways that wouldn’t be acceptable in real life. Because behaviour is considered unacceptable in real life doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist. The best way to perpetuate a behaviour is to deny it happens. As such, by highlighting such behaviour the Arts play an important role in bringing it into the spotlight for debate and discussion. Fairy stories and fables contain important morals, messages and examples of how to and how not to behave for children and adults of all ages. This is one reason why they endure down the generations. If one were to remove all the unpleasant and unacceptable themes in Cinderella one would be left with very little. There is domestic slavery (Cinderella is prisoner in her own home) bullying (the step sisters bully Cinderella, their stepfather and the tradespeople), coercive control and domestic abuse, (stepsisters and, where there is a stepmother her too), (Cinderella is not allowed her freedom nor freedom of choice) and attempted fraud/deception (stepmother and & stepsisters pretend to be the rightful owner of the glass slipper) to give a but a few examples Surely far better to stage a ballet which brings to life the ‘elephants in the room’ and promotes healthy discussion perhaps thereby changing peoples’ behaviour for the better than to pretend these things don’t exist. After all, the stepsisters (and stepmother) do not profit from their bad and antisocial behaviours. In Cinderella, good triumphs over bad. If only this were the case in real life. Edited February 3 by PeterS 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pas de Quatre Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 I agree, the Arts can be a great catalyst for healthy discussion - isn't that what we are having now? My concern is that at the moment, the two schools associated with BRB, Elmhurst and RBS are both being sued by former pupils for the way they handled eating disorders and mental health issues. As it is sub judice we are not allowed to discuss, but I don't think mentioning that these cases exist contravenes anything. So for BRB to portray weight issues as comedic does not feel right. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizbie1 Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 2 hours ago, PeterS said: I’ve been reflecting on this. As part of a narrative story I think that it is acceptable to have characters behaving towards other characters in ways that wouldn’t be acceptable in real life. Because behaviour is considered unacceptable in real life doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist. The best way to perpetuate a behaviour is to deny it happens. As such, by highlighting such behaviour the Arts play an important role in bringing it into the spotlight for debate and discussion. Fairy stories and fables contain important morals, messages and examples of how to and how not to behave for children and adults of all ages. This is one reason why they endure down the generations. If one were to remove all the unpleasant and unacceptable themes in Cinderella one would be left with very little. There is domestic slavery (Cinderella is prisoner in her own home) bullying (the step sisters bully Cinderella, their stepfather and the tradespeople), coercive control and domestic abuse, (stepsisters and, where there is a stepmother her too), (Cinderella is not allowed her freedom nor freedom of choice) and attempted fraud/deception (stepmother and & stepsisters pretend to be the rightful owner of the glass slipper) to give a but a few examples Surely far better to stage a ballet which brings to life the ‘elephants in the room’ and promotes healthy discussion perhaps thereby changing peoples’ behaviour for the better than to pretend these things don’t exist. After all, the stepsisters (and stepmother) do not profit from their bad and antisocial behaviours. In Cinderella, good triumphs over bad. If only this were the case in real life. I don't know what the answer is in this case, but the equation of fatness or indeed ugliness with wickedness* is something that begins to feel dated and that we should be leaving in the past. As Bintley is still active, it might be something he'd like to re-think in this revival. *Somewhat off-topic, but IMO political cartoons - and hands up, I seldom find them funny anyway - are the worst offenders for this and it is most striking in their treatment of women politicians of all persuasions. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Perregrino Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 On 03/02/2024 at 19:32, Lizbie1 said: I don't know what the answer is in this case, but the equation of fatness or indeed ugliness with wickedness* is something that begins to feel dated and that we should be leaving in the past. As Bintley is still active, it might be something he'd like to re-think in this revival. I don’t think that either fatness or physical ugliness are being equated with wickedness as such. Surely by having Skinny & Dumpy as the stepsisters ie one of each archetype of physical form Bintley is showing us that the ugliness is of the spirit within a person and that the ‘outside’ appearance of a person is no guide to character and as such can take any shape or form. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridiem Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 From what I remember, the fat/thin thing about the sisters is just a visual joke; I wouldn't assign any deeper meaning to it, and I also wouldn't worry at all about it. (What did worry me was that I found the choreography and the humour rather crude and unfunny. Maybe I was in the wrong mood, and I think I've only seen this production once so perhaps I should try it again.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pas de Quatre Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 (edited) But what message are all the young girls (& everyone else) going to take away from watching this? To succeed as a young woman you must be perfect, neither too fat nor too thin. Remember, the original production in USSR was under Stalin. If he didn't like it the creators risked being sent to the Gulags. So it is not surprising they played safe with stereotypes. We shouldn't be perpetuating them. Edited February 5 by Pas de Quatre Ad para 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Perregrino Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 12 minutes ago, Pas de Quatre said: But what message are all the young girls (& everyone else) going to take away from watching this? To succeed as a young woman you must be perfect, neither too fat nor too thin. I think that the message is that one's personality and character traits are NOT defined by one's physical shape and that one should never judge a book by it's cover. there is no such thing as 'THE' perfect woman (or man). Fat, slim and in-between are all subjective assessments and women (& men) of all shapes and sizes can succeed in all areas. talent will rise to the top. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scheherezade Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 (edited) I am personally more alarmed by the photoshopped images that lead some young people down the path to dangerous, sometimes fatal, surgery in an attempt to replicate the unreal and suicide if they can’t. Edited February 5 by Scheherezade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
art_enthusiast Posted March 3 Share Posted March 3 Just wondering if anyone knows when it might be possible to book Sadler's Wells tickets? As there's so few performances, I'm getting anxious! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Perregrino Posted March 3 Share Posted March 3 Whenever the new Sadlers Wells season goes onsale to its members. Keep an eye out for announcements and check the SW website now and again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emeralds Posted March 3 Author Share Posted March 3 2 hours ago, art_enthusiast said: Just wondering if anyone knows when it might be possible to book Sadler's Wells tickets? As there's so few performances, I'm getting anxious! Oh, they haven't even put the ballets on the SWT website yet. Do you have Birmingham Royal Ballet on social media @art_enthusiast- it's worth clicking on follow for either their Instagram or Facebook pages. That's how I got the news about their season announcement- I think it was faster than the email mailing list. They often announce which day the tickets go on sale at each venue. Their team is very efficient. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Perregrino Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 On 03/03/2024 at 12:34, art_enthusiast said: Just wondering if anyone knows when it might be possible to book Sadler's Wells tickets? As there's so few performances, I'm getting anxious! booking dates Patrons: Monday 18 March, 10am Rehearsal members: Wednesday 20 March, 10am Members: Friday 22 March, 10am General public on sale date: Monday 25 March, 10am Book online from 10am but remember to log in to your account first. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted March 22 Share Posted March 22 Happy Friday! https://www.facebook.com/bhamroyalballet/videos/1750924235107844/ 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 15 hours ago, Jan McNulty said: Happy Friday! https://www.facebook.com/bhamroyalballet/videos/1750924235107844/ Thank you. At least this is in time. But again, as so often these days, a combination of overdone yet not pointed properly. To quote myself from January: https://www.balletcoforum.com/topic/28067-a-balletdance-miscellany-thread/?do=findComment&comment=428116 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Perregrino Posted March 25 Share Posted March 25 On 15/03/2024 at 17:50, San Perregrino said: booking dates Patrons: Monday 18 March, 10am Rehearsal members: Wednesday 20 March, 10am Members: Friday 22 March, 10am General public on sale date: Monday 25 March, 10am Book online from 10am but remember to log in to your account first. Onsale today Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pas de Quatre Posted April 17 Share Posted April 17 (edited) I have just seen on Facebook an announcement that all current BRB2 dancers will be joining the main company as Artists for the 2024-25 season. What wonderful news! Edited April 17 by Pas de Quatre 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinMM Posted April 17 Share Posted April 17 (edited) Yes that is good!! Well done to all of them. I just booked Fille at Sadlers Wells today …it seems such a long way ahead but as only three performances thought best to get on with it! Edited April 17 by LinMM 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pas de Quatre Posted April 17 Share Posted April 17 Just to clarify, it is the original 5 dancers, not those who joined later. Jan has posted the press release. I shall be seeing them in Poole in May. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
art_enthusiast Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 On 17/04/2024 at 18:45, LinMM said: I just booked Fille at Sadlers Wells today …it seems such a long way ahead but as only three performances thought best to get on with it! Same! I am eager to see it live for the first time. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinMM Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 I wonder if Peregrine the Pony will be taking a trip up to the Wells! I’ve seen him being walked along Whitehall during the last run so maybe a bit too far for him to go! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shade Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 9 minutes ago, LinMM said: I wonder if Peregrine the Pony will be taking a trip up to the Wells! I’ve seen him being walked along Whitehall during the last run so maybe a bit too far for him to go! I remember seeing him being walked over the bridge. Does the Wells stage have space for him? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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