Ondine

Bizarre isn't it? https://www.balletnews.co.uk/ashton-celebrated-the-sarasota-ballet-at-the-royal-opera-house/ During The Sarasota Ballet’s June 7th Gala evening in the Linbury Theatre, dancers from The Royal Ballet will perform as well, while The Sarasota Ballet will perform Sir Frederick Ashton’s The Walk to the Paradise Garden as a part of The Royal Ballet’s program on the main stage.

Mine arrived today and has gone in the Pile Of Things To Read for now.

Yes. This.

Hopefully LBC can contact Bill Cooper and pass on details of anyone wishing to contact him? Obviolusly they can't just dish out his phone number!

That's not working for me sadly, it says 'No video with supported format and MIME type found'.

Perhaps the London Ballet Circle has his contact details? https://www.tlbc.org.uk/resources/85-renowned-photographer-bill-cooper-in-conversation

That is such a fascinating watch, that it repays a rewatch and several rewinds. It's a great shame part 2 isn't as readily available, though it still exists. I've been mulling it over. More in another post perhaps. One of the items of interest, only on screen a second or two, was this, in the part about how Diaghilev revived the ballet Giselle. The character we know as Albrecht, as danced by Nijinsky, was then named Loys (his servant 'Le domestique de Loys') and 'La mere de Giselle' (no name) was played by non other than Maestro Enrico Cecchetti himself. In his younger days Cecchetti was a great 'mime' as well as a virtuoso dancer. He was company ballet master. The role of a woman was played by a man 'en travesti'. Enrico Cecchetti, with his great gifts as a mime, played Giselle's mother. https://www.alastairmacaulay.com/all-essays/giselle-questions-answers Also: The role of le Garde Forestier [Hilarion] was first performed by Alexis Bulgakov in Paris and taken over by Adolf Bolm in London Here is his costume, in the V & A https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1114693/theatre-costume/

😊

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p014blwf/omnibus-diaghilev-the-years-abroad Diaghilev: The Years Abroad. First transmitted in 1968, this is the first of two Omnibus programmes about the Russian impresario Diaghilev. Presented by Peter Ustinov, this episode focuses on Diaghilev’s early life and the first seasons of his legendary ballet company Ballets Russes from 1909 until the outbreak of war in 1914. Friends and colleagues, including Cecil Beaton and prima ballerina Tamara Karsavina, reveal what Diaghilev meant to them and the impact he had on both ballet and the artists he commissioned 54 mins First shown 2 Jan 1968 Details of Part 2: Diaghilev 1872-1929: Part 2: The Years in Exile Omnibus presenting the second of two programmes on the great Russian impresario Diaghilev. Introduced by Peter Ustinov. The story of Diaghilev and his ballet company from 1919 until his death ten years later, as told by his friends and colleagues Tamara Karsavina, Lydia Sokolova, Dame Marie Rambert, Dame Ninette de Valois, Dame Alicia Markova, Sacheverell Sitwell, Leonide Massine, Nicolas Nabokov, Igor Markevitch, Serge Lifar, Cyril Beaumont, Anton Dolin, Ursula Moreton, Laura Wilson, Leighton Lucas, Errol Addison. Written and produced by John Drummond. A BBC TV-Bavarian TV Service co-production Jan 9th 1968 50 mins

Only became the 'gallery' after yet another refurb (1970s I think) when seats were added, prior to that proper 'gods' with wooden steps / seats (ouch) and a set of miserable concrete back stairs, totally unlike the 'grand' staircase to the circle. Further history here. https://www.skyscrapercity.com/threads/newcastle-theatre-royal-restoration-completed.1438396/

No the Newcastle Theatre Royal (current building 1837, Grade I listed, John & Benjamin Green, not many theatres are Grade I) has a later Matcham auditorium, 1901 (restored 2011) It features what is generally regarded as the finest Theatre façade in the UK, later combined with a fine 1901 auditorium by the great Theatre architect, Frank Matcham, after the original interior had been destroyed by fire during a performance of Macbeth in 1899. https://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/about-us/our-story/#restoration Here's a pic of the ladies wth the dusty bosoms. https://canmore.org.uk/collection/1241256

Ages ago I made a new post re Allegra Kent, with links to three You Tube films of her discussing her life, training, including with Nijinska, dancing, and Balanchine. It vanished without me having a clue why. They really are something special though. She's an utter joy. So I thought I'd give it another go in this thread, without the direct links (the person who did the filming / made the films / is also the person who did the filming, Allegra Kent is his friend) as there is a new one: Markie Polo Marcus Galante @BalletBabyBoy https://www.dancio.com/about-marcus-galante 7 Deadly Sins. Miss Allegra Kent reminisces about the ballet. Allegra Kent, for whom the ballet was created, recalls Mr. Balanchine and Lotte Lehman as well as the creation of this masterpiece that is now, sadly, lost. Others in the series: Allegra Kent remembers her teachers Bronislava Nijinska, Carmelita Maracci and Mr. Balanchine. La Sonnambula with Allegra Kent Allegra Kent speaks about one of her great roles. Allegra Kent of the NYCB's Tour of Russia 1962 Interview with Allegra Kent as she reminisces about the 2 month tour or Russia by the New York City Ballet in 1962

All also M. Matcham. All three with interiors remodelled by Matcham. (In the case of Newcastle there was a disastrous fire during a performance of Scottish Play...)

Good grief just looked at the price. Back in the day, used to use fluffed up animal wool to pad and wrap. Still less than a fiver. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Carnation-2627479-Animal-Wool-25g/dp/B001DZOK4S/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=hikers+wool+for+blisters As mentioned here. https://bestpointe.com/en/blog/1381-greek-type-of-foot-ideas-for-not-letting-your-longer-second-toe-hurting-you-anymore/ I believe Anna Pavlova had feet like this. (I used to buy shoes from a man who as a boy delivered her shoes. She gave him apples.)

If I'd had to carry on with maths to 18 I'd have locked myself in the school lavs and refused to come out. (I bet other transport projects 'in the north' don't happen either. But that's another issue entirely.)

It doesn't appear that the second Insights is being filmed / livestreamed. Tickets still available today, other events are selling out rapidly so jump in while you can! £10 26 October 2023, 7.45pm Clore Studio Founder and Artistic Director of Ballet Black Cassa Pancho MBE joins us as part of the Rhythm in Resilience festival, celebrating Black History Month at the Royal Opera House. Join us for an evening of discussion and dance, which spotlights the important role of Ballet Black in Black ballet culture in the UK today. https://www.roh.org.uk/tickets-and-events/insights-ballet-black-details

I suppose he's not a 'new voice' any longer at the RB and is giving space to others? This special edition of Draft Works brings a collection of new voices from The Royal Ballet and beyond It's good that the 23 - 24 Aud Jebson dancers have been given this opportunity for new work to be created on and with them, and Rebecca Stewart seems a remarkable young person, one to watch! Hopefully a forum member will be there and we will have a report. A tenner, total bargain.

Rebecca Myles Stewart is a student at the RBS. It's worth going to Youtube and reading her bio under the interview with her uncle (from 2021).

Yes it rang bells! This one?

Not many tickets left, £10 each 5th October Autumn Draft Works A number of new to the company dancers appearing, as well as others. Clore Studio. https://www.roh.org.uk/tickets-and-events/autumn-draft-works-details This special edition of Draft Works brings a collection of new voices from The Royal Ballet and beyond as part of Rhythm in Resilience, a new festival by The Royal Ballet curated by Joseph Toonga for Black History Month. Celebrate an evening of new ideas, featuring a range of freelance creatives and artists from The Royal Ballet and other national companies. Presenter: Marcelino Sambé Choreography Miguel Altunaga Dancers of The Royal Ballet Ashley Dean and Francisco Serrano Choreography Winnie Dias Dancers of The Royal Ballet Bethany Bartlett, Sierra Glasheen and Blake Smith Choreography Kloe Dean Dancers of The Royal Ballet Seunghee Han, Julie Ann Joyner, Casper Lench and Isabella Shaker Choreography Hannah Joseph Guest artists Spike King, Elaini Lalousis, Serena McCall and Rosie Noble-Booth Choreography Otis Cameron-Carr Guest artists Otis Cameron-Carr and Jack Thomson Choreography Rebecca Myles Stewart Students of The Royal Ballet School

Sadly they are not alone at all. https://www.campaignforthearts.org/petitions/scotland-cuts-reimposed/

The direness of the finances has come as a total shock to many, and no, totally unware of anyone 'let go'. Though has anyone been taken on recently?

Lovely! More decades ago than I like to consider and the first of many, many other cats, brought home a tiny kitten and called him Nijinsky. He could jump! 🐈‍⬛

Here's a link. The FB page has a few short videos and no, not the Royal Ballet obvs but it does look interesting, with decent costumes and productions designed for smaller venues. https://www.facebook.com/crownclassicalballet/

I gather it was his fortieth birthday last week. Wishing him many happy returns!