38 replies to this topic

[cubanmiamiboy]

This clip shows the curtain calls of the final performance, in which Miss Mason graciously brings a flowers bouquet to Mme. Alonso onstage-(escorted by Carlos Acosta and Yoel Carreno)-with a deep bow.  It also shows the moments where the dancers came out of the theater in full costume to bow in front of the audience that had congregated to see the performance in the big screens that were installed in front of the Capitol building.  Carlos Acosta briefly takes the mic to congratulate this "dancers that are here just for you, after exhausting hours of traveling", and an emotional Tamara Rojo also saying a few words.

[bart]

Thank you, thank you, thank you.  It is heart-warming to watch, in a single clip, such lovely images of ballet as history (the homage to Alonso) AND ballet's potential to be a genuinely popular art.  ("Esto es para ustedes -- esto es para ustedes todos.")

[cubanmiamiboy]

Yes, bart...that's true.  And then, I would like to offer a little speech that I've been longing to make for a while-(it'll be short, I promise   )
As a Cuban, it is my duty to publicly thank the Royal Ballet and its head, Miss Monica Mason for this magnificent gesture of love, artistry, but above all, of great humanity.  I'm speaking in behalf of the thousands of Cubans that had the opportunity to see a first class Ballet company like the RB for the first time.  Miss Mason has just made a historic step by going to my isolated island, making clear that her message was that of pure love.  I specially want to tell the British members of this board-(Mashinka, Leonid, CharmingLise et all)- that I VERY MUCH admire what Miss Mason has done, and that the magnitude and the BRAVERY of her decision to present her dancers in Cuba can't be really appreciated or totally recognized with just a few words.  Again, the was a GREAT gesture from a GREAT woman.
Anyway, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU TO MISS MASON AND THE BRITS !!!    

[kdubzz]

Does anyone know whether any sort of documentary is being made about the RB's visit to Cuba?  As an earlier poster mentioned, it would make a wonderful film or television special; one hopes that someone had the foresight to film the tour itself at the very least!

[Bella12]

kdubzz, on Oct 6 2009, 11:28 AM, said:

Does anyone know whether any sort of documentary is being made about the RB's visit to Cuba?  As an earlier poster mentioned, it would make a wonderful film or television special; one hopes that someone had the foresight to film the tour itself at the very least!

According to the British Council website, the Ballet Boyz have made a film of the tour.  According to them, the film will be shown on UK TV towards the end of the year.  Here is the link to the relevant item:
http://www.britishco...allet-cuba.htm)

[miliosr]

The entire Ballet Boyz documentary (in eight parts) is currently out on YouTube . . .

[innopac]

Carlos Acosta talks in this video about his career,  the Royal Ballet and what the trip to Cuba meant to him.

"Carlos Acosta has been hailed as ballet's next major star. The Cuban dancer, of mixed Spanish and African heritage, came to prominence in the early 1990s while still in his teens, and joined England's Royal Ballet in 1998. Since 2003 he has enjoyed the rank of Principal Guest Artist. In his story Carlos describes how he has found a home for his art in London and how he sees the vibrant cultural mix of Britain as being reflected in the company of the Royal Ballet. The dynamism which results provides, he believes, the foundation for an exciting pushing back of creative boundaries."

[Drew]

innopac, on Mar 14 2010, 07:59 PM, said:

Carlos Acosta talks in this video about his career,  the Royal Ballet and what the trip to Cuba meant to him.

"Carlos Acosta has been hailed as ballet's next major star. The Cuban dancer, of mixed Spanish and African heritage, came to prominence in the early 1990s while still in his teens, and joined England's Royal Ballet in 1998. Since 2003 he has enjoyed the rank of Principal Guest Artist. In his story Carlos describes how he has found a home for his art in London and how he sees the vibrant cultural mix of Britain as being reflected in the company of the Royal Ballet. The dynamism which results provides, he believes, the foundation for an exciting pushing back of creative boundaries."

I liked the video a lot--thanks for posting it.  But:  "Next major star"? -- that's a puzzler. He is a major star and has been for quite a while...He was "hailed" that way perhaps, say, a decade ago...

[cubanmiamiboy]

miliosr, on Feb 1 2010, 12:01 PM, said:

The entire Ballet Boyz documentary (in eight parts) is currently out on YouTube . . .

I just saw all the parts.  Very interesting indeed...! It gives an ample look at the Ballet School and a little tour around La Habana.  Thanks miliosr..!





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr7ct7n8ZXQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rElOgfkVih8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4CyxnFLV0I&feature=related