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When I was young I saw a local non professional company rehearse and perform the "Pas de Quatre". Victoria informed me that it was a restaging of the Keith Lester version. Later I acquired a video of the Dolin version danced by Alonzo, Evdokimova, Thesmar and Fracci. I adore the Dolin version. IMO it defines the characters in a strong way. The ballet seems to only appear on galas (as it did originally), but I wouldn't mind seeing ABT revive this work. Who would be suitable to stage it? Markova?

Thanks for the information Alexandra. I know nothing about the proper way Bournonville should be performed. I'm just glad I have the NYCB video as opposed to nothing. Your insight helps a lot. I have a foggy memory of a Bournonville pas de trois I saw performed by Cynthia Gregory, Erik Bruhn and Rudolf Nureyev at an ABT gala in 1975. Do you know what that would have been?

After seeing the "Kermesse in Bruges Pas de Deux" staged by Thomas Lund and Eva Kloborg several times at NYIBC I came home and found my video of NYCB featuring Heather Watts and Helgi Tomasson, staged by Stanely Williams. I think Heather Watts is wonderful in the pas. I would like to hear opinions of her peformance, but mostly I was wondering why there are so many differences in the stagings. Many differences are small, but some passages are quite different. I know a ballet lives and changes over the years but I wonder if anyone has some good information about it.

I'll have to ask Ann Barzel if she filmed it. B)

Les Sylphides La Sylphide Gala Performance Romeo & Juliet - Tudor - (I saw it in the late 70s and loved it.) Hans, the Nijinsky/tennis ballet is "Jeux." ABT could rent the sets and costumes from Joffrey. Joffrey performed "Jeux" at Kennedy Center two years ago. Victoria, did ABT ever perform "Prince Igor"?

Sorry for not saying thanks sooner. Thanks!!

I'm really enjoying the dancing of James Cagney in "Yankee Doodle Dandy" - TCM. His style is unique and his cabrioles are quite nice. Happy 4th of July fellow Americans!

I just finished Isadora Duncan's "My Life" and have just started "Narcissus and Goldmund" by Hermann Hesse. It must be ten years since I last read it. I'm still waiting for "Ballet or Ballyhoo" by Barbara Barker to arrive in the mail, so if it is not here when I finish the Hesse I might read "The Agony and the Ecstasy" by Irving Stone. I loved that one fifteen years ago and would like to re-read it.

Alexandra, were you thinking of Clara Webster?

One night in 1987 after a performance I was leaving the stage area at City Center to head for my dressing room and I came face to face with Margot Fonteyn. She was beautiful in a white fur coat and white fur hat with strands of silver hair showing. We spoke about the performance for several minutes in which she gave me the feeling we had known each other all of our lives. I don't remember changing clothes and walking home that night.

And isn't their eye make up interesting?

On Friday night, June 27, 2003 at the NYIBC, I watched "Duet (Opus 41, No. 1) from Mazurkas" by Jose Limon. I watched it sixteen times in a row. The beauty of the duet and the excellent staging by Roxane D'Orleans Juste - who currently is an Artistic Associate and dancer with the Limon Dance Company made the experience a treat. Has anyone seen the complete work? Is it all as divine as the duet?

What a terrible day it was when I came home from work and saw the picture of Joe Duell on the news. He was a handsome, kind person who showed much promise as a choreographer. Stierle died of AIDS at 23 years of age. He too showed much promise as a choreographer. I did not know Zomosa, but I believe he stabbed himself to death, seeing no other way out of a love triangle.

In the movie "The Elephant Man", John Merick goes to the theatre. There is a ballet dancer as a fairy. She seems dressed as Pavlova in the film clip of 'The Fairy Doll'. Does anyone know if a famous British dancer played the dancer in 'The Elephant Man'?

ROUNDABOUTTHEATRECOMPANY'S 'NINE THE MUSICAL' The New Broadway Cast Recording - is available now. For information visit www.PSClassics.com. The CD comes with a booklet containing an article by David Leveaux, the director. There are stunning pictures and all of lyrics are there too.

Since plenty has been written on the competition already, I'll just give some brief comments. The Limon pas de deux - Duet (Opus 41, No.1) from "Mazurkas" was exquisite, soulful and incredibly musical. It was choreographed in 1958 and to me looked like it could have been the inspiration for 'Dances at a Gathering". Deborah Wingert's classes were excellent and the dancers seemed to enjoy them very much. Ms. Wingert is very musical and though trained in the Balanchine style/technique she also incorporated other styles/techniques for a well rounded class. Hyek Chen (Korea), Katie Pivarnik (USA), Christopher Rickert (Australia), Laura Kleinke (USA, who looks facially like a very young Makarova), Yuki Sento (Japan), Vitali Krauchenka (Belarus) were all fine and interesting dancers. Especially worthy of mention is Eddy Tovar (Cuba) who was in my opinion the best in "La Bayadere". I'm not sure why he received nothing. He seemed to have it all and he even showed genuine concern when his partner slipped in "Kermesse." I didn't love his comtemporary solo, but he performed it amazingly. I also have to mention that Caitlin Valentine (USA) performed the difficult pointe work of the "La Bayadere" scarf pas best of all the women. These young people deserve kudos for how well they did. No sprung floor was installed at Alice Tulley Hall and they rehearsed and performed on that stage for a full week. It must have been quite difficult for young artists who are used to only working on sprung floors

Hi all! I'm here and have been at everything - classes, rehearsals and all rounds. I've just found this cyber cafe next to the theatre in which I'll be seeing NINE (mat) in a few minutes. Yes, it's my second time seeing NINE. More about NYIBC when I get back to Chicago on Monday. But for now I will tell you that I am quite happy. A lot of talented dancers here and a wonderful all around feeling. I've loved learning Kermesse from watching so many run throughs and the Danes blow me away in it. Round I & II pas were wonderful (Bayadere should be interesting as just about everyone has been having trouble with the scarf dance in rehearsals.) The solos were excellent last night - especially J. Jordan from DC. I wish I could form a company out of this group! Let's look for each other tonight Jeannie!

Maybe the site has been updated since your last visit Denise. I just checked it and there is information about this years event including info on judges, participants, teachers etc.

Did you see Shearer in "A Wedding Bouquet" and did you see Leclerq in "Illuminations"?

Thanks Mel and I hope more people will be able to chime in. I'm not able to find much myself.

"A film archivist friend of mine has recently unearthed a rare two-strip Technicolor film of Josephine McClean --but he needs to know more about her. Can anybody at BA please supply some info?"

On the other hand watching "The Dream" at the old Wolf Trap on the lawn with the fireflies was enchanting.

I will be there. That is why I have been hunting for BA stories.

Indeed I do remember those Ravinia and Wolf Trap performances mbjerk! Funny I don't remember any weather disasters at Artpark. I guess Artpark has more protection from the elements. There is a Joffrey/outdoor theatre situation in the upcoming Altman film "The Company".

Years ago the Joffrey Ballet presented "An Evening of The Dance" hosted by Agnes DeMille. Performances were given in only a few cities. Standing on the stage as the curtain rose were DeMille and Gregory Peck. As the tumultuous applause died down he escorted her to a chair downstage right and exited as she began speaking. It makes sense to me, all these years later why it was Gregory Peck who was Ms. DeMille's escort.