jcaguioa

I'm also a great fan of the pair and think they make a delicious pair! I agree that their DonQ pdd was Sensational but a little dissapointed that they won't get to perform the whole ballet together next season due to cast changes. Acosta also pairs up well with the powerful Marianela Nunez, another exciting latino in the RB's collection.

Thanks Drew for the brilliant reveiw! I really wish I could have been there. I wish that ABT would one day come to the UK. I saw Gillian on the ABT video and thought she lookd gorgeous but expressionless. Others who have seen her there in NY have said the same thing. If you have seen the video would you say that she was very much different? now from your reveiw that you describe her as playing it cool but this may be more obvious live rather than on tape. Jonny

I'm very Glad to hear that RB are so appreciated there in the US, and are doing o well. I'm also glad that Yoshida is really shining over there too. I feel that she's not given enough to do over here. I guarantee that Steifel and Wildor will give stunning performances as they did in London. I think they make a great couple and their qualities contrast nicely. I'd of like to have seen Wildor in Margeruitte, any other suggestions for the role? Jonny

This is rumor I hear but it's probably true. Three Ballerinas from Ausralian Ballet. We lose Nigel Burley and Rachel Rawlins who have recently left Austrailia!(?) Jonny

Do you think Darcey would live up to expectations now that we have Rojo a new virtuoso ballerina to the company? I know that they are extremely different but Don Q is really a big Showstopper. Darcey suits more of the Aurora and Odette type role "Princessy" if ya like. It's sort of like wanting to see Jonathan Cope do Don Q if you get what I mean?! Ross will also bring 3 ballerinas from Austrilia so he may showcase them in the main roles too. There's a lot to see but my opinion is that I'm not sure Darcey will take the first choice of many for Kitri. She did some performancs in 94 with Solymosi. Jonny

Yes Alina would make a perfect Amour! I saw her do Titana in the Dream last night and she certainly was a "Dream". Another Question, Anyone see diana Vishneva in her Debut as Nikya in Bayadere, She's my favourite Kirov Ballerina and i would have loved to hve seen her.Actully I'd love to see her do Corsaire, Gamzatti, and anything Balanchine! (she's that sort of ballerina!) Jonny

After the Matinee in the main house at the ROH, the whole school will continue to perform in the Linbury Studio from 11 to 14 of July. On top of the main Works will be a more varied progamme including things like the Sleeping Beauty Act3 Pas de Cinq and 'Upper School Contempary'. You'll also have a chance to see other casts have a bsh at the main roles there are so few of! Look out for Laruen Cuthbertson and the 15 year old Nutnatree Pipithsuksunt from Thailand who recently won a Gold Medal from the Adaline genee Competition. i think the performances coming up for the school and it's very new repetoire is extremely exciting forb both us and the Audience. I feel that it's ashame that it's not a chance for the school to show off any works created for us but will give us a chance to interpet the peices in a new light and show how versatile we are! (Hopefully!) Jonny

Intresting topic! Here's my dream casts: for Don Q, Kitri, Tamara Rojo Basilio, Angel Corella Street Dancer, Marianella nunez (RB) Q of Dryads, Alina Cojocaru For Giselle, Giselle,Altynai Asylmuratova (one more time!) Albrecht, Roberto Bolle Myrtha,Natalia Sologub P.S. How is Carla Blanco doing in San Fran as she was really beautiful in the Eurovision Dance Competition. Jonny

The bad news of the Royal ballet at the moment is that Jerry douglas the company's first black dancer from the U.S has left the company due to lack of "dancing Roles" in the company's productions. also Carlos Acosta will sadly leave as a resident member of the company and become a guest for simalar reasons. I am extremely saddend about both as the are both really wonderful for the company. I do think Carlos deserves more but the problem is that alot of the works the company perfoms don't suit him totally. This news is a disappointment I'm sure to many. Jonny [This message has been edited by jcaguioa (edited August 15, 2000).]

Thanks Mel! I'm sure we'll be seeking your help again near the end of this year when we will start performing again. We might also be working with the company of which will perform Swan Lake, Ondine and La Fille mal Gardee of which Ethan Steifel will be guesting with us! I'm really excited as Ethan is one of our favourutes!

HOORAY! For Alina! My predictions were spot on! Two well deserved promotions for two incredible Dancers! I too can't wait to see them perform in more exciting roles. Now they're not budding starlets at all, ther're well on the road to becoming our next principals. I hope the men I've mentioned will too get their big breaks. Ivan Putrov is really one who sticks out in the "artists" to me and I think at least "first artist" should be good enough a step for him so that he can sretch out his wings a little more and get more experience in the more advanced roles. His recent Holland Park performances were really a good time for him to strech out a bit and really show the public what he's got,(not forgeting Siren Song at the New Works program). I think he definately gained a few fans from these performances as I heard certain people from the public cheered him on and comment loudly on how neat, precise and fluid he was."I can't wait to see him in the futre!" one lady said. I certainly hope to see him there with Marianella and Alina up in the high ranks! Jonny

Basilio17, Kate did indeed look very promising when she arrived in London yet I did wonder a little about her physique. Some peolpe peered through the windows saying "who's that?" and were surpized when the reply was "the girl who won the prix". She had put on weight during an injury and looked a litte more built than the other girls. Her line was distracted by this and she sruggled to move her torso and get her legs up. Despite this she had a beautiful quality about her and everybody saw the large amount of potential she had. I think if she persisted she would have been sucsessful enough for Royal, but unfortuneatly she lost the passion to dance, she lost confidence and stamina and I agree that this story is an extermely unfortunate one!

Jane- Brill! James,Guy and I will certainly think of you at the performance.

Helena! Today I found out that James Wilkie (member on this site) will dance the lead in "Pas de dix" on the Matinee. You're lucky to see him as he is certainly next in line for a contract! But remember that he only found out today so he has only had a week to rehearse this role! Jonny

Jane, Being in London did you come and see the school's performances at Holland Park? Marianella danced Raymonda there last week. Are you coming to the Opera House to see the Matinee? Post me I'd love to Know! Jonny