Mary

It is a bit disappointing at times, I must agree that our companies seem not always to quite grasp what is needed to present ballet in the modern world..

It was really bizarre that no Nutcracker was shown at Xmas.

At the time a few years ago when  a very high profile dancer left RB amid a flurry of really negative publicity, about the madness of the ballet world,  Steven McRae's online posts started to really increase, with a focus on 'positivity' -sometimes a little relentlessly upbeat perhaps! - but he does present an image of the dancer which is modern and very positive and lively. He portrays ballet life as very dedicated and inspiring, but also with a down-to-earth approach which avoids all the cliches about neurotics and prima donnas, which I think is very refreshing.

On R3 this morning he talked about getting fan mail, and visits backstage, from younger people completely new to ballet, attracted by his posts. This use of social media must be important, and I know other dancers are really good at it like the charming Gary Avis- but perhaps the younger ones are the best hope  in attracting young people. Not for the first time I wonder whether the almost universal use of Ms Bussell to present ballet is the best idea- maybe let some of the younger ones have a bigger role. Alexander Campbell springs to mind, after his role in World Ballet Day.

(No need to use footballers........)

That happened to me yesterday at the cinema for the Bolshoi screening -they had changed it to another  screen so my seat no longer existed and I had visions of ending up in someone's lap....

It's the third time this has happened and each time at the desk they have said 'Oh you booked this a long long time ago' as if it was a mistake of mine, once actually phoning the manager to check I was 'still' allowed in!  But the cinema offers early booking for members which I always use..Must be just me.

Looking forward to hearing Mr Mc Rae- at 10.50 I think. It must be good for him to have other engagements, having sadly been suffering with injury lately.

Well worth it though!

Very entertaining indeed, thank you!

Translation please; what is an 'anti-vaxxer'?

Someone who refuses to be  vaccinated??  or perhaps someone who resists cleaning the carpets?

6 minutes ago, capybara said:

 

Yes, it is normal (and properly courteous) for a funding body to seek a report from an organisation as a first step. But the implication here is that ENB has been asked to investigate itself.

I think it's the word 'investigate' in the article that is rather misleading.

it would be very odd indeed for a fully fledged external investigation to be launched immediately on the basis of a newspaper article, surely  and not what any reasonable person would want to be the norm.

But in my experience it is normal in such situations for any regulator to first of all ask the organisation concerned to provide its own report/account/ whatever- before they think about setting up an external investigation.

 It is after all, a reasonable courtesy to give them a right to reply first.

That clip makes me weep buckets ......thinking of the recent thread on dancers whose performances make you cry-well, this does! for the sheer beauty. A few giggles at the commentary as well, rising to a crescendo of enthusiasm at the end with 'The most beautiful skating I have ever seen!!..' True..it still is...

They should have been all 6s though..........

Amazing coincidence just as we were all enjoying those old clips- can't wait to see it. Thanks!

55 minutes ago, aileen said:

One would only sign a gagging order if there was a formal legal dispute which resulted in some kind of compromise agreement. This would not apply to disgruntled employees who simply choose to resign.

They are now very widely used in any settlement involving someone leaving a job- a quick fix legal agreement yes, but  often without any actual legal action taking place. So someone who wanted to go before a contract expired, for example or without working notice: and they do prevent one then following up in any way, or even telling anyone about, the problem that made one want to leave....

It is all a terrible shame and I hope it gets sorted out very soon because this is not what British ballet needs.....

I can't help thinking that, whatever all the rights and wrongs, it is partly a reflection of hard times, and the pressure on companies to work relentlessly and pile up media success, to get funding, pressure which is being passed on, perhaps, to dancers.

I agree with Aileen that it is really not possible to completely avoid any problems arising when there is a relationship like this..whether someone does or does not get better treatment is beside the point: people will THINK it happens , or be unsure. They will feel unable to make comments in some situations, they will suspect they are being 'spied on', there will be lack of openness; the senior in the pair will start to struggle to make fair judgements, the junior to feel resentment that perhaps they are being treated more harshly to balance things out..etc etc  etc.  this will happen without anyone doing anything wrong..

I have experienced this at work and I am sure many of us have:  in a ballet co., where there is a kind of competition under the surface, for the director to be perceived to be with one of the dancers- well, it must always cause trouble of some kind or other.

This afternoon I see we are being treated to the World Indoors Bowls championshios...4 solid hours!!

Thanks for alerting me that so much is on youtube- that's the evening gone!

I see the British couple came 7th, not bad. Their routine was certainly ambitious.

Some are real dancers who take to the ice- that is Curry- he was always perfectly beautiful-

Oh but where is the ice skating on TV? Am I missing something ?

18 hours ago, MargaretN7 said:

I think I remember Muntagirov saying Ben Ella was first cast and he was second cast. They each had one leg injured (so there was an uninjured pair between them, but that might have been a bit difficult to negotiate!   ) Vadim said it must have looked a bit strange when the two of them hobbled up to collect their awards at RBS.

Not only one of the most beautiful dancers I have ever seen, but the man has a sense of humour, and doesn't take himself too seriously.

What a combination!

Thanks for these very evocative reviews, I had to miss it due to ill health.

Balletfanp you are not a Grumpy Old Git for preferring no 'whooping' in Act 2 of Giselle!

Many of us do not live in London and have to run for trains.....it can be very sad not to be able to stay and we might long to.

I always get out of the way quickly though, and sometimes turn and give  a last clap from the exit door.

4 hours ago, Sim said:

Whereas I can totally understand the reasons for putting Matthew and Yasmine with experienced partners in this ballet, they did after all debut together in Sleeping Beauty which worked a treat, and that ballet isn't exactly a walk in the park for the ballerina!     For me personally, I don't really mind toooo much about who Siegfried is because it is all about the ballerina in this particular ballet (as in Beauty and most 19th century classical ballets), so perhaps chemistry isn't quite as important as it is in the dramatic ballets.  Of course, it's a lovely bonus if there is real rapport between the prince and the ballerina, but for me not quite so important as in more recent ballets (Cranko, MacMillan, etc.).  Just my opinion....

 

 

Naghdi and Ball are also dancing Giselle soon aren't they?....

But oh I must disagree, I do mind greatly who is Siegfried; for me it is just as important.....exceptionally so in Swan Lake, where real princely hauteur, nobility of bearing is called for. Muntagirov ideally..Bonelli, yes, but Ball too,  oh yes indeed, and I also require rapport for that most lovely of pas de deuxs- so, it's got  to be Nunez/ Muntagirov I think, and Osipova/Ball too having seen that gorgeous photo above,  if I can save up the funds....

I was just lamenting the fact that we couldn't go because of a very nasty attack of flu in the household, so this is rather music to my ears -  that we haven't really missed much.

.

An offer from ROH for 40% off has just come into my inbox...

So agree about Handel, Mab. I remember a wonderful Semele: that was ages ago. We rely on English Touring Opera who do a great job but it would be nice to see a really lavish staging once in a while.

I know it doesn't work like that but, I wish they had saved the money spent on all the unnecessary   building work and used it to keep seat prices the same, at least in the amphi- because, if the concern is access for all, that is the real issue.....

On the other hand, they have lost funding, and someone must pay for a very expensive new production....

What's 'credible' got to do with it?

This isn't The Archers....

They look ethereally beautiful- how exciting!

Thanks to all on the forum for the fun, the expert knowledge, the sense of companionship you bring.

Merry Christmas to you all, especially the administrators!

Interesting and with some very beautiful  moments indeed. The whole look and feel reminded me of Kate Bush ( that's a compliment.)

On 16/12/2017 at 21:09, jmhopton said:

Reece Clark was a revelation in the second cast I saw. Difficult to believe he is only a soloist; surely promotion due next summer. He reminded me slightly of Jonathan Cope.

Me too- more than slightly- a very welcome thing!