Ostrich

'The Hobbit' is my all-time favourite fantasy classic - no contest! Just shows you... Some more confessions: I never finished The Way of All Flesh Canterbury Tales (eeew, boooring)

I thought the idea was that it didn't need to apply to Freddy - Eliza is merely taking her frustration about Henry Higgins out on him because he's an easier target. At least in the "My Fair Lady' interpretation (as opposed to 'Pygmalion). But it's never been my favourite part.

Nah, I love the part, but otherwise I think that's a very accurate assessment. OK, everyone seems to agree that we don't want to see Keira Knightley in the role, but if there has to be a remake, who'd be a good candidate?

Mine too But I couldn't stand Silas Marner and, while I got to the end, it was due to a lot of cheating and skipping.

sandik, I resorted to the same expedient with The Mayor of Casterbridge in high school. I never did get around to trying the book again and perhaps I should. I haven't managed to read the book again -- I couldn't even sit through the PBS Masterpiece Theater program! Funny thing is, it's one of my favourite books. I've read it several times and it ranks as my favourite Thomas Hardy novel. But I only got through Jude the Obscure because I insisted on having read every Hardy novel...

'Little Dorrit' is the one and only Dickens that I couldn't finish - and I gave it my best. Funnily enough, I liked Dickens more when I was younger. I think the black-and-white characterisation didn't bother me as much then.

Thanks for the review, Marc - I was jumping up and down in my seat waiting to hear how that debut went. I like how you said that and I agree totally.

Yes, definitely. Or, to rephrase, there are classics that I love, but only in part. The most striking example I can think of right now is Daniel Deronda. The first half - I can't stop reading; the second half - I really only forced myself through it because I liked the first part so much and thought the story would pick up again.

I often wonder whether anyone ever enjoys some of Henry James's novels such as The Golden Bowl and The Wings of the Dove. I find them almost unreadable, and I tried hard because I really love many of his works(Portrait of a Lady, The Europeans, Washington Square), and I feel like I am missing out...

Yup, I also had problems with 'Vanity Fair'. And Tom Jones and Huckleberry Fin. Also (so far) Anna Karenina - I'm working on it. Also any Anthony Trollope. Then there are books that I could only get through on my second (or more attempt). This includes Jane Eyre and Ivanhoe. I really enjoyed both, in the end.

Oh, I like that idea. Here's mine: Angel Corella Irek Mukhamedov Cyril Pierre Nikolai Tsiskaridze

Present: Johann Kobborg Andrei Uvarov Friedemann Vogel David Hallberg Past: Yuri Soloviev Maris Liepa Rudolf Nureyev Fernando Bujones

Or Swarovski Crystals

I haven't heard of Yegor Khromushin before. Does anyone have any info about this dancer? Either way, I'll be interested in what you have to say about the performance!

An interesting question. As far as I know, Vasiliev and Maximova partnered each other at school already and married just after their graduation. So that was one partnership with very early beginnings!

Alternate ending Sleeping Beauty: When Aurora finds some dude about 80 years younger than her (with the wierdest taste in clothes and hairstyle) kissing her awake, she goes straight to Carabosse and asks to be put back to sleep. This is emotionally so damaging for the 'wicked fairy' that she sees no more point in being bad and sets up as the Lilac's biggest rival in 'good magic'. The prince is so shocked by the experience of a 116-year old 'statue' coming alive when he kisses it that he is assigned to a mental asylum for the remainder of his life.

Would that be Ivan Vassileiv's premier as Spartacus? That should be very interesting and I'd love to hear about your impressions.

Lobukhin (Mariinsky) with Osipova (Bolshoi) in all things Don Quixoty. I recently discovered Lobukhin and I am quite ga-ga. I keep wishing he'll go over to the Bolshoi so my fantasy can be fulfilled!

Thanks for explaining the nuances of translation. In this case, it wouldn't make a difference though. I quoted 'once upon a time', but the same would apply if it had said 'formerly', for example. It is true for Ulanova and Semyenova, but Fadeyechev still coaches Tsiskaridze (in fact, has now replaced the other two teachers in coaching him for all his roles).

This critic seems a bit confused. First she says: ...and then goes on to criticise his dancing(and acting) as the very opposite of brilliant, but as mincing, affected and pretentious. Also I think Ms Kyznetsova has some of her facts wrong. Tsiskaride frequently in interviews mentions his dissatisfaction with the fact that he does not get to dancing new roles. 'Once upon a time' is true for Semyonova and Ulanova, but Fadeechev still coaches him in all his roles, as far as I know. I have noticed this attitude from critics before - lamenting his immense popularity as if that in itself detracted from his dancing. Thanks for the translation, delibes!

In that case you must have been glad there was no orchestra! ;) I can't remember when last I saw a foreign company (or even a local one) performing to live orchestra. Even the Bolshoi brings 'canned music' when they visit here. It is a pity as it does affect the ambience of the whole thing dramatically.

I don't know why, but that's very funny! Like a clockwork ballerina with a key in the front! I wonder how it remains hidden. It must be a really, really tiny key. I have noticed the strings, although I have no idea how it works.

Regarding the Sleeping Beauty, while I enjoy the dancing of Lezhnina and Ruzimatov very much, there are some costume choices that really hurt me, like the courtiers in the last act. And - can it be true - does Ruzimatov wear glitter on his hair for the wedding scene??? My only big complaint about Lezhnina: her "awakening" is so bland, compared to Ruzimatov's intensity, I want to slap her!

As far as I know, the 'Yakobson' company has never used the name "Constantin Tatchkin Theatre", but either St Petersburg State Academic Ballet Theatre or (as a contraction) St Petersburg Ballet Theatre, which, as previous posters have pointed out, was their name before the Tatchkin Company even existed. So I don't know about 'using someone else's name'.

Yes, and I believe 'Baryshnikov' means 'horse thief' and Tsikaridze's name is related to 'evening star' ('tsiskari'). And I once knew what Nureyev meant, but now I forgot. Something nice I think... And what, to get back to some semblance of the original topic, does Vasiyev/Vasiev(whatever) mean?