anoushka

She does a residency every year at Central School of Ballet where she teaches the Senior students. She's also doing a Spring Course next week.

She's currently teaching at the school where I work - it's inspirational to watch her in the studio!

Hello everyone I've just moved over to live in the Netherlands (just outside Amsterdam) from the UK, and as a Royal Ballet addict, I ashamed to admit I know virtually nothing about the ballet over here! But, I am willing to learn : ) I am going to get myself booked in to see a performance asap but I wondered if anyone had any recommendations on where to sit? I like to be able to see the dancer's faces & feet, so usually I am willing to sacrifice the view of the stage for the sake of proximity to the stage so any suggestions would be gratefully received. Many thanks Anoushka xx

Here is the link for the promotions, joiners and leavers for 2003: http://www.royalopera.org/News/Index.cfm?c...ccs=326&cs=1002 Its great news about Mara Galeazzi going up to Principal, and its really good to see promotions further down the ranks including Lauren Cuthbertson (whose Lilac Fairy I especially enjoyed!) Its also a shame we're losing Jamie Bond to Birmingham Royal Ballet Enjoy! xx

I'll be the at the Royal on Friday for Marianela Nunez's debut as Beauty-I can't wait! I'm also seeing several other casts in the next few weeks so I'll keep you posted! xx

Hi Bilbo, it's the same for me. I will spend quite a lot for one performance, and then just go in the cheap ones for all the others. I tend to think about it quite carefully on my booking form, to try and get decent seats for a particular performance, and then often I'll add other performances by just calling up-especially if there has been a cast change, and I suddenly need to go!

Yes Wendy, I know Roberto didn't ACTUALLY dance different things, but it did come across so differently, I was so much more aware of the beauty of the choreography. Glad you enjoyed it, when are you going again?

Apologies for the delay in posting, time has flown by and I've now seen 2 Manons and not posted about either! First on the 8th, with the Tapper, Makhateli, Harvey, Drew, Palmer, Page cast. Jamie Tapper was good to watch, and she was quite heartbreaking at the end, though I really wanted her to be meaner and vain in Act 2! I wasn't sure about David Makhateli, I agree with Giannina that his Act 2 dancing was in great contrast to Acts 1 and 3- I wonder why? Maybe he doesn't like that Act much? Though I thought his surruptitious cheating at cards was good. Martin Harvey was excellent as Lescaut, really bouncy and bright. It was also awful when they killed him, I really wasn't expecting it! It was such a relief to see him up on his feet at the end! Anyway, then I went to see the performance on the 19th with the Bussell, Bolle, Cervera, Saunders, Morera, Tuckett cast. It was amazing how different it was. I am sure that Roberto Bolle danced a different set of steps, I kept holding my breath as he held balances and extended his legs beautifully! Darcey danced beautifully too, but I kept my eyes on Roberto more! And Ricardo Cervera is stiff competition for Lescaut with Martin Harvey-he was brilliant. I thought he worked especially well with Laura Morera as his Mistress. Their pas de deux when he is drunk was really entertaining. However his death came as even more of as shock, and really was quite gruesome. Both Christopher Saunders tonight, and David Drew on the 8th were good as Monsieur G.M, suitably cold and domineering. And both Will Tuckett and Ashley Page were good as the Gaoler,they were even meaner, and you really felt for poor Manon! Anyway, that all for now, did anyone else go?

Hi Grace, I am fairly sure that Pauline Greene did refer to the Sapphire Fairy's waltz as having 5 beats not 3, but someone else may have remembered better than me! Do you remember Sylvia? xx

This was a wonderful event to go to, and I thought it was very well organised, with some excellent speakers. I'll keep it brief though, as I watched the performance of Manon tonight too! The day started off with Dina Makarova (no relation to Natalia Makarova, though they work very closely together) discussing the designs of Natalia Makarova's production of the Sleeping Beauty by Luisa Spinatelli. She explained various points in the ballet where gauzes where used for effect, and the way the action is shifted to different parts of the stage. She also showed us some props (the masked head for part of Carabosse's entourage and the Lilac Fairy's wand) as well as some beautiful examples of tutus. The day continued with Agneta Valcu rehearsing Lauren Cuthbertson and Ivan Putrov as the Lilac Fairy and the Prince in the Vision scene. It was very interesting to watch how the mime told the story-there isn't any dancing as such at this point, the Lilac fairy has a staff which she uses to conjure up the vision of Aurora. Following this Natalia Makarova rehearsed Ivan Putrov and Alina Cojocaru as the Prince and Aurora. It was fascinating to watch Natalia Makarova going through the steps with them. She was so sure of exactly how it needed to be, often demonstrating by rolling up her trouser legs, and it was great to see how here corrections became real on the dancers. We then saw Natalia Makarova rehearse Zenaida Yanowsky as Carabosse- I wasn't expecting this to be the role that Zenaida would be rehearsing at all ( I was thinking more Lilac Fairy) but she was amazing. I found her mesmerizing to watch especially because of the way she can contort her body. She danced with abandon, though at one point lost her grip on her staff and sent it flying into the audience! The afternoon sadly had no more dancing in it, but the talk by Pauline Greene on the musicality of the score was excellent., Her main themes were the way the Sleeping Beauty is a symphonic ballet score (due to the recurrign themes of Carabosse and the Lilac Fairy, in different guises throughout the ballet), and the overall Russian-ness of the ballet-discussing how Tchaikovsky included many folk dances from the era including, most bizarrely a waltz in 5 beats not 3, for the Sapphire Fairy! The day was concluded by Giannandrea Poesio who gave a fascinating talk on the historical background to the ballet. Apart from an abounding knowledge of the many symbols within the ballet (from Aurora as the Sunrise to Cattalabutte as a well known political figure of the time) he also put the ballet into its political context. Anyway, that's the end of a lovely day, I am sure there are loads more things I have forgotten to add in which some other people will remember! xx

I'm not sure, but for some reason I didn't think Anton Pankevitch was Russian. I know Valeri Hristov is Bulgarian.

Hmm, Ivan Putrov was born in Kiev-which I thought was Ukranian?

Dear me I really musn't leave it so long to review, but seeing the Triple again with only three days gap, I think I needed to get some perspective! The second watching of Scenes de Ballet confirmed to me how much I liked it! I am certainly glad we'll have another chance to watch this one, I'd like to see it from higher up-both times I was at stage level so didn't see the patterns of the dancers properly. Winter Dreams was still lovely, and I could watch Sir Anthony dance all night. He's just so wonderful, and his pas de deux with Darcey Bussell was heartbreaking. Sinfonietta also got better and better the more I watched it. I really wish I could see it again. The pace is so fast and I love all the jumps which just see to sail across the stage. It was also great to hear Monica Mason talking about the possiblilty of new works versus perfomance of heritage pieces, and so on. Especially as it was a total shock to me that she'd speak! xx

I'm just wondering who the 'Russian' was, as there aren't any in the company at the moment. xx

Here's the link to the ballet.co.uk posting about the National Dance Awards, with some good news for RB dancers (and many others too, so take a look.) http://www.danze.co.uk/dcforum/news/1638.html They are: Outstanding Young Female Artist (Classical) Marianela Nuñez for her performances as a Soloist with the Royal Ballet Outstanding Young Male Artist (Classical) Ivan Putrov for his performances as a Soloist with the Royal Ballet The Richard Sherrington Award for Best Female Dancer Alina Cojocaru for her performances as a Principal with the Royal Ballet And here are some of the finalists from RB: Jenny Tattersall for her performances as a First Artist with the Royal Ballet Miyako Yoshida for her performances as a Principal with the Royal Ballet Adam Cooper for his performances with the Royal Ballet and in On Your Toes Jonathan Cope for his performances as a Principal with the Royal Ballet Enjoy! xx

This is a link to the ballet.co.uk post about the National Dance Awards: http://www.danze.co.uk/dcforum/news/1638.html Thanks to them for this info; there are also some pictures of Darcey Bussell, and Dame Alicia Markova to name two. Amongst some of the awards of note, there are Ivan Putrov and Marianela Nunez of the Royal Ballet for Outstanding Young Male and Female. Also Christopher Hampson for his Double Concerto for English National Ballet. Anyway, have a look! xx

I am really glad I get to see this Triple Bill again on Thursday, as one watching isn't enough! Scenes de Ballet was lovely to watch, those I was very worried about the girl's pearl hats, which I thought might come off at any moment! The colours worked eally well together, though I would never have thought a yellow tutu (Alina Cojucaru) against the pale blue tutus of the corps would have worked. Johan Kobborg certainly looked very happy to be there, but wow, did those boys look warm! Their little velvet jackets looked superb but must have been a trial to wear! I adored Winter Dreams-I really felt for the characters, espeically after seeing Anthony Dowell dance. He was excellent, and projected so well on stage. I felt a little in conflict for Darcey Bussell because if it had been me, I would have rathered stay with him, than go off looking for love elsewhere! Sinfonietta was also superb, it really was an excellent evening. I was very startled to see Ivan Putrov leap out of the far back corner of the stage in a flesh coloured outfit, for one moment my heart stopped! All the boys were great in this, with Martin Harvey and Bennet Gartside providing a great comparison in their blue outfits, to the others. It was also lovely to see Marianela Nunez and Zenaida Yanowsky, though it was a shame they weren't in it more! In fact as soon as it was over, I wanted it all over again! I recommend going to see this one, without fail! xx

Well I must say I am really looking forward to seeing this Triple Bill! Especially as I get to see both casts, I still find it amazing how different a ballet can be with a different cast. And to see Anthony Dowell is unmissable! I'll let you know I find them xx

Just to add to the picture of Nutcrackers, i have been to the Royal Ballet one twice so far (will review properly soon). The Jamie Tapper/Yohei Saski, with Jonathen Howells as Hans-Peter, and also the Tamara Rojo/Inaki Urlezega casting, with (Big surprise, wasn't expecting ti at all) Ivan Putrov as Hans-Peter. I am also going after Chrsitmas to the Roayl again for the Putrov/Yoshida and Cojacaru/Kobborg castings so I'll let you know how they went. Briefly the production was outstanding with some very good performances for the Russian/Chines and Arabian dances. Also most noteably, Zenaida Yanowsky as the Rose Fairy, who was a delight to watch. I also went to see the English National Ballet production, but it wasn't for me, the funny bright wigs put me off (I prefer the more tradidional, covered in glitter look!) though the Land of Snow was excellent, and I loved the Jack Frosts.

This was an absolutely charming production choreographed by William Tuckett of the Royal Ballet, and is on at the Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House until Sun 22nd Dec. This is the link to the ROH website, about it: http://www.roh.org.uk/PerformingSpaces/Ind...20the%20willows It's star studded cast included Sir Antony Dowell (!) as Narrator, Adam Cooper as Badger, Will Kemp as Ratty, Matthew Hart as Toad and Philippa Gordon as Mole. They were also joined by Luke Heydon and Tom Sapsford, as well as three singers-Victoria Joyce, Darron Moore and Clare McCaldin. This was a adaptation of the well known story by Kenneth Grahame, and was simply wonderful. The action as lead by Antony Dowell, who was Narrator and Author of the story. It was set in his attic from days gone by and he recounted the story of the furry friends of the riverbank. The script was written by Andrew Motion, Poet Laureate, and retold the story magically. The set was designed by the Quay Brothers and had all sorts of clever devices to assist the story-the river came out of the cupboard, and Mole's house was a rolled up rug! The costumes were also fabulous, thankfully without lots of odd furry face masks! Though the knitted duck bonnets were something to behold! William Tuckett's choreography was strong throughout and matched beautifully the music arranged and partially composed by Martin Ward (after George Butterworth.) It was wonderful watching such a good group of dancers, and even more so, the way they danced each character. Toad, with his amazing wiggling tongue, and Badger with his pipe, all added to the magical atmosphere of the production. Anyway, has anyone else seen it and what did you think? I hope this production stays around for years to come! Oh yes, and when the carol singers came on, it snowed in the auditorium!!

Oh what good news! Who do you think for her Assistant Director then?

I just realised you are post from New York and so won't have seen Swan Lake recently! Vanessa Palmer has got to do one of the two swans roles and Belinda Hatley was in the pas de trois yesterday. Thought I would let you know as those roles are not put on the website but only the cast sheet for the night. xx

Just got back from watching Zenaida's Swan Lake (the last of them) and it was unbelievable. She was so good, I was truely bowled over. Jonathan Cope was injured so he was replaced by Inaki Urlezega, who was ok but wasn't my ideal Prince Siegfried. However considering it was a last minute replacement it was pretty good. I can' t think very clearly at this time in the morning so I'll post more tomorrow when I have had time to reflect! xx

All this week the BBC are broadcasting live from Covent Garden, from about 8.30 to 9.15am. If however you don't get to watch it, they have some interviews on their website. They have started with an interview with Darcey Bussell and Mario Testino which you can download to watch. There is also one with Antonio Pappano (ROH new musical director.) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/brea...ast/2533563.stm Enjoy!

Here's the link to the ROH website with a press release about it: http://www.royalopera.org/News/Index.cfm?c...?ccs=326&cs=746