hfbrew

Only three performances of this wonderful ballet left! Am looking forward to last one at Arlington Arts Centre, Newbury on Sunday. But am posting because my boss just read out a very favourable review in this months Dancing Times over the phone! Will send dh for a copy...

ooh, yes. do!

I don't remember having to declare savings as such but did have to declare any interest earnt- in our case it was pence!

Well first and foremost make your own decision based on whats right for your daughter and your family and ignore the "shocked people", especially those who don't know anything about rigorous dance training! Some are ready at 16, others 18, but do bear in mind that ballet training, if thats what she wants is best started sooner rather than later. Think you are very sensible to let her audition now even if its just to see whats on offer out there, what places appeal to you and whether she will be successful. I know students who got places aged 18 at places such as Laines, having been unsuccessful at 16- I myself was in this position many years ago and on reflection was vey glad I had two years to mature. I still dance professionally but have to point out that it was a contempoary based dance and drama company! Good luck.

Oh your poor dog, you too! Have sent a pm!

Good for her! People do underestimate how hard ballet can be. Even some of my rugby playing senior boys struggle to get through a class without collaspsing on the floor at least three times!!!

How old is your daughter?

So glad you enjoyed it. Was privileged to see Btuk let rip on the lovely big stage at the Grove in Dunstable on Saturday- the first time I'd seen the full set! The dancers really enjoyed themselves , producing an energetic and lively performance of a vey high standard. Scrooge was superb. I won't write any more because I do have a connection with the company but the fact that lots of tickets have already been sold for Alice in Wonderland at the same theatre in April speaks for itself. (I haven't booked mine yet!!) Anyway A Christmas Carol is on at Gulbenkian Theatre in Canterbury tomorrow (6TH) , Leatherhead on Friday and Tunbridge Wells on Saturday (matinee at 2pm). Tickets available for all venues so come on folks, give yourselves a Christmas treat and support a new BRITISH , self funded company into the bargain!

Well it looks very clever but no substitute for a real live good pianist! As 95% of my classes have excellent pianists I won't be in any hurry to get this gadget!

There are threads about Ballet Theatre UK on other forums- it is indeed an excellent company. I would post more but as I have personal contacts with the company I try not to as my view is definately biased. But nonetheless I think it compares very well with other touring companies which I've seen. There are also other threads about Tring so it might be worth looking at those. It certainly attracts a wide variety of comments! But you might also like to know that a young lady has just joined ENB company (as have others in the past.) And last year at the international cecchetti competition at the Lowry, Tring had more students through to the final than any other of the competing vocational schools. I currently have three students there (6th form) who are all very happy and I'm very satisfied of the high standard of classical training although two of them will be looking for more commercial work as this is where their strengths are. The other is hoping for a classical career and has chosen to be there rather than RBS and is thriving! But once again I will say that if you only ever want to do ballet , then consider other places instead. The standard required to be in the top ballet sets at Tring is incredibly high. And it is these sets that do the most classical training.

I would never try to over stretch the knees in order to achieve a "banana" look- one has to be careful what you wish for. A young student of mine is really struggling to cope with such legs and is over pronating as well and as such can barely stand correctly at the moment never mind dance. I watched a company of Russian dancers at a local theatre last night and noted that many of the older dancers who had sway backed legs had also built up very top heavy thighs, especially the men and the elevation wasn't great from some. They were probably fabulous when young but I did wonder whether years of work had taken their toll- professional dancers don't always get technical corrections as it were! (Incidently I'm just making an observation and certainly am not criticising!)

Ooo, off for another look.....!

Even more emotional now I've seen Ballet Theatre UKs pictures on Dance Europe website. Clicked on galleries and lo! lots of wonderful pictures!( Not however the same casting as the review) Needless to say I will be after a copy or two of Scrooge.....

Yes, thats how I understood it to work too. And I agree with what you say about it being similar to good local schools that also have high levels of teaching. Afterall most schools try to fit new students in the classes that best suit them if possible. And mixed ability doesn't mean that a school isn't any good, it what the teacher does to bring out the best in ALL students that matters. For example the schools I work at have classes to suit all students be they recreational or vocational- those who are very keen are also encouraged to attend associates, summer schools etc because its iimportant that they spread their wings and get a bigger picture of the dance world.

Sorry, it was my understanding that you didn't need to audition. But as I said, I feel that the standard of teaching is very high which is why I've been happy for my pupils to attend.

I can understand how you feel and acting is a notorious tough profession too.

That is so kind of you! But I now have copy in my hand and thoroughly enjoyed reading the whole magazine. Thought the review very fair and hopefully it will encourage more people to come and support a new company, especially a British based one that gets no public funding. And yes its rather a thrill to see ds name in print! Especially in complimentary fashion! Incidently I was at the Bishops Stortford performance reviewed. I reckon I was sitting not far from the reviewer! Glad I didn't realise though. I do hope the reviewer gets to watch again though (he mentions in the article about the multiple castings being a good excuse to watch again) because a certain young man would be very put out if his interpretation of Scrooge was thought of as a "night off"!! Incidently the performance at Tunbridge Wells will feature the same cast reviewed in Dance Europe. Will be interesting to know what you think Julie! And thanks folks again for telling me about the review- an exciting moment in ds early career indeed!

The standard of teaching is very high. But if your dance school is good then obviously doing extra classes would be pretty much the same thing depending on what level the classes are, quality of teaching etc. I personally as a teacher think its healthy though for a student to experience different teachiers (provided they are good) which is why I don't mind my students attending the Tring classes. But obviously the actual ability of the associate students as opposed to CBA ( for which entry is by audition) is pretty mixed as in any local ballet school.

Really! Really , really? Oh my goodness- definifately sending dh to Covent Garden this afternoon!

No it is not just you. I actually don't think any parent in their right mind actuallly wants their child to be a dancer if they are aware of the reality which sadly many of them aren't. I certainly did not want my son to follow in my footsteps (He s well outgrown them now!) However I also understand his desire to dance (well actually with him its more of a desire to perform) and I have kept a careful eye on his training without actually teaching hiim to ensure he trains safely. Obviously one reason why he was successful at 11 was that he had a trainable bodythat lent itself relatively easily to the demands of classical ballet. So he has been fortunately injury free apart from a hamstring injury foolishly caused by doing splits in a dorm with fellow students rather than adult supervision. And yes professional life is no walk in the park but then is any job? The key is, as parents, is to understand how tough and demanding the profession is whilst also understanding the passion that drives it. We do our bit by listening. ensuring good diet and nurturing other interests so that our dcs don't become completely unaware of the fact that there is life outside ballet! And believe me for many of our young people that have made the transition to professional dancer, well life is very exciting as well as tiring. I still can't quite believe my ds luck in that he is now getting paid for doing what hes always done, that is dressing up and performing!

Yes. As I said there were 16 spaces overall available. I don't know actual ratios.

So thrilled for my student. Apparently there were 16 spaces available (overall ) and over 70 auditioning so those who were successful have done well.

Phew! Will have to send dh for a copy!

Ooo, I have n't seen that! Is it any good? Hardly bear look. But thanks for posting the info!

Well my son is exhausted after 9 shows in 7 days, have just spoken to him on his day off and he was still in bed!!!! But had a lovely chat mainly about character playing and choreography- he s far happier than he would be in an office job. He for one is loving living the dream and very chuffed not only to be doing roles that dancers in larger companies can only dream of but also be getting good reviews too. His ultimate aim is to teach and so is very fortunatel to be currently following a pretty comprehensivec life plan!