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[dirac]

Robert Parker will assume the artistic directorship of the Elmhurst Ballet School.

http://www.theartsde...d-ballet-school

Known as “nuclear” Robert as a child, the tall, blond dancer has long been the major attraction of BRB for his combination of dynamic dancing and characterful dramatic acting, in an enormous range from classical leads such as Romeo and Prince Siegfried to contemporary ballets by Twyla Tharp and Kim Brandstrup and ballet-drama heros such as King Arthur and Cyrano., two roles created for him by BRB’s director-choreographer David Bintley.

He quit ballet for a year in his early thirties to move to the US, where he trained as a pilot, but was soon back in ballet shoes after missing the stage too much. (Much the same happened to the Royal Ballet’s principal man Jonathan Cope - he too found the lure of ballet too strong, despite trying to leave it and start a new business career.)

[dirac]

Darcey Bussell chats about the use of a trampoline for her photo shoots.

http://www.telegraph...hotography.html

“We used to do lots of tricks to get a picture in the air so that I could do so many different jumps,” Bussell confided at the launch of the the Royal Academy’s new Degas and the Ballet exhibition.

“We used to get a trampoline and the photographers would be so chuffed. It was still quite dangerous because you can sprain your ankle, but it was very good because I wasn’t exhausted the next day.

[dirac]

A review of the Royal Danish Ballet in 'The Lesson' and 'La Sylphide' by Gerald Dowler in The Financial Times.

http://www.ft.com/cm...l#ixzz1YQa2TXJ6

....Rising star dancer Lendorf is a heated James, his impetuosity and violence bursting forth in Byronic anger. Similarly, his dancing literally explodes onto the stage – musical, technically brilliant, ineffably stylish, his solos high points indeed. A superb role debut. As the object of his doomed love, J’aime Crandall, the eponymous Sylphide, both crafts her dancing with obvious care and demonstrates an airy jump, but her upper body and arms are imprecise and, despite an affecting death, she looks altogether too earthily robust to convince fully as Bournonville’s airborne Romantic spirit.

[dirac]

A preview of Edward Watson in 'The Metamorphosis' by Jessica Duchen in The Independent.

http://www.independe...ge-2357145.html

Watson is pale, red-haired and renowned for his intense dramatic ability; choosing him to portray Gregor Samsa was a stroke of inspiration on the part of the choreographer, Arthur Pita: "I'd read some interviews in which Ed talked about being a 'ginger prince' and feeling like a freak at the same time – I thought that was incredibly honest," says Pita. "There's something Kafkaesque about his presence," he half-jokes, adding more seriously: "On the first day we began with Ed waking up as the insect – and it was perfect." The staging, he adds, enhances the story's intimacy. "It's performed in traverse, so the audience will be very close."

[dirac]

Sanford Ziff is reported to want to take the name of his late wife Dolores off the Sanford and Dolores Ziff Ballet Opera House and substitute the moniker of his new wife.

http://blogs.miamine...to_remove_h.php

"I'm considering name changes, especially at the Arsht Center," Ziff tells Jose Lambiet. "I haven't quite decided yet. I still have to confer with the board."

Dolores and Sanford married later in life, but Dolores had become a patron of the arts long before meeting Sanford and is widely credited with getting her husband involved in philanthropic efforts. Unsurprisingly, her son from an earlier marriage isn't too pleased.