| NEWSLETTERS
2003
November
2003
Hi
Again,
Well I
can't believe we've reached the end of the year already! The shows
in Ipswich were a nice way to end, we felt it was the most consistent
group we have had for Sleeping Beauty and the shows kept improving
right up to the last show. It's been a year of highs and lows for
us
as you
will have read in other newsletters. The most distressing thing this
year has been seeing how many theatres have been left to become run
down, it was saddening to see how much things had deteriorated at
the Regent
in Ipswich in the three years since we last performed there. Our
technical staff had a nightmarish two days setting the show up, stuff
that was
supposed to be there wasn't and what was there didn't work properly,
we were still working on the lighting right up to the moment the
house opened! The local crew were very helpful so we got there in the
end.
Not something I want to have to go through again. My main gripe with
the students this year is as always the noise level when everyone
is together and the lack of respect this shows to each other and the
principal
dancers. It is very boring to have to be constantly shouting and
asking for quiet. The highs have of course been the performances, it
is always
a buzz to see what has been achieved by everyone in such a short
time and to see and hear the reactions from the audience and the parents
during the show. The other major high was getting Sleeping Beauty
together
and
to see how the production has developed over the year, a huge undertaking!
So that
is this year done and next year has already started. We've had our
first audition for next year, in Preston and 300 dancers
auditioned so that is an exciting start ! Miss Lewis,
Bridget and myself are
busy
planning next year and hopefully we will have exciting developments
to announce soon. The team will be pretty much the same with maybe
a new
face to be announced later. Eve in the office has moved house so
she has had to leave us so we thank her for all her work last year
and
wish her all the best for the future. She is being replaced by
Susie Brown who used to work with Miss
Lewis and myself in the Lewis London
Ballet days. Our Principals are going to be busy during the break.
Julianne is going to be touring with Raymond Gubbay's "Johann Strauss
Gala Concert" through Jan to March. They are creating a new
pas de deux for her so go along and give her a cheer! Kasper is
currently filming
in the "Phantom of the Opera" movie at Pinewood studios
which stars Minnie Driver and writing the second half of "The
Wanderer" an
Oratorio for solo Baritone, Choir and String Orchestra. (Plus in
his own words "eating lots of mince pies"). Nadia will
be appearing at the Colosseum in London in English National Opera's
production of "Nixon
in China" with choreography by Mark Morris from Feb. to March.
Roddie is waiting on final details on a project in Glasgow, I'll
post updates
when he lets me know them. I'm going to be choreographing a new
piece for the Anglian Ballet Company which may get it's premiere
on Feb.
7th. So those of you in the Ipswich area look out for that.
At the
certificate ceremony in Ipswich commendations went to Charlotte
Evans (Guest), Caitlin Wallace and Megan
Rafferty (Cinderella attendants
and Charm), Chelsie and Jodie Innes (Songbird Ladies, White cat
And Cinderella), Harry Ellis (Puss in Boots), Sally
Wignall (Friend),
Sorrell Leeming (Duchess), Thomas
Thorne (Duke), Alexis Gair (Nurse) and Ben
Lythgo (Photographer). Prizes went to Tiffany Armijo (Lady Energy),
Jessica
Thurlbourn (Guest)
and Anna Murray (Cryonite).
Rosie Porter wrote to say she is appearing in Panto in Derby
and Vikki Sargeant is appearing with The Chelmsford Ballet Company
along with Stevie
Retigan. Well done everyone. Well that's it for this year , hope
you all have a great Christmas and New Year and hope to see some
of you next
year.
Keep working hard
Dominic
October 2003
Hi Again,
This letter
is a little late and is in a little haste as we have all just got back
from our summer(?) break and have already
started work
on the production in Ipswich. I had an amazing time
in South Africa, which despite of all it's problems is a very beautiful
country.
I saw loads of whales and dolphins (sometimes from
my
hotel
window!) and got
face to face with a Great White Shark (didn't try to
shake hands though). There is nothing like seeing wild creatures
in their
own environment
to remind you how amazing our planet is.
The production
in Hastings was a bit of an uphill struggle as we had the smallest
cast we have ever had (there
was a limit to the
number of
people allowed back stage) and the management of
the White Rock
Theatre was fairly new so it was very difficult to
break even. Bridget had
to work very hard to get the ticket sales up. We
were all a little worn
out by the end and in need of our holidays. That
said the performances went very well and were well received,
everybody worked hard
and improved so it was a pleasure to watch the shows.
At the
certificate ceremony commendations went to Louise Fox, Catriona
Lovie, Alicia Meadley, all the
Morning
Hours (one
of the nicest
groups I have worked with), Siobhan Zysemel and
Jade Wilkinson. Prizes went
to Sarah Kirkham (Friend and lead Prayer) for outstanding
performance quality both on stage and in rehearsal
and Annabel Simes (Scottish
doll and Betrothal) for greatest improvement over
the course.
Stevie
Retigan who was with us in Southend and Hastings wrote to say she had
just been accepted
into the
Chelmsford Ballet
Company,
Joshua
Hutchings who worked with us in Southsea passed
his grade 2 with Honours, and Emma Walker who
was with
us in Southend is
doing
her RAD major syllabi
at the Central School of Ballet and Senior Associate
classes at the Urdang Academy in London. Well
done to all!
I hope
to do a longer letter at the end of the year (there are some exciting
plans for next
year) so
keep your news and
comments
coming
in.
Keep working hard!
DOMINIC
August 2003
Hi Again
We've just
finished our back to back projects in Southend and Stoke-on-Trent and
have a few days
to recover before
heading
out to Hastings.
Two different parts of the country,
two different productions (Sleeping Beauty and
Coppelia), and two very different
casts
with different strengths and weaknesses , but
one thing in common
(apart from the inability
to be
quiet when all together !). The theatres
were both so pleased with the response to the performances
that they are both already
talking
about
return visits in 2005 ! So well done
to everyone involved, hard work
does pay off in the end. It was also
very gratifying to meet so many of our former dancers and their
parents and teachers
out in
the audience
supporting us and enjoying the show.
As our regulars will now know I no longer sit in
the prompt corner
calling the show
but get to
sit out
front and watch with Miss
Lewis,
something which is very rewarding but I sometimes
find more nerve
wracking
than being back stage
! ( especially
as I have to wear a suit ).
At the
certificate ceremony in Southend commendations went to Drew
Hudson and Clare Hamilton (Duke
and Duchess), Kirsty
Byram and
Hannah Pike (Cryonites
and Honesty), Hayley Whitchurch (Jewel),
and Ashley
Burdett and Emily
Young (Guests).
Prizes went to
Victoria Sargeant (Guest),
Lauren McCarthey (Friends), Sophie
Bennett ( jewel
fairy and monster) and Leah
Andreas (Cinderella attendant).
In Stoke
commendations went to Kirsty Lovatt, Lisa Birks and Pascell
Mifflin (Friends),
Eve Crawford and Laura
Scarlett (Villagers), Olivia
Gwilt and
Jodie Edwards (Spanish dolls), Lisa
Sexton (Morning
hour)
and Briony Young (Work hour).
Prizes went to Rebecca Barkworth (Friend),
Lisanna Huisman and Emma
Rushworth (Betrothal and
Dolls) and finally
the boys James Bently,
Nick Edwards, Matthew Jordan and Kristopher
Russell who impressed everybody with their
hard work,
dedication and good
behaviour!
Next year
is now booked up, all the details are now on the web
site.
Apologies to those
people
I confused
with the few
errors
I posted,
we have been very busy and
I didn't double check. Thanks to
those who
pointed
the errors out to me. Any of
you out there who visit our
site regularly
if you could
let me
know what
you think of it and
how it could
be improved I would be very
grateful.
Elliot
Hawker wrote to say he has been accepted into the
Elmhurst
School for Dance. Congratulations
!
Julianne has a busy month
ahead as not only
is she working with us she
is also
appearing in the West End
in Phantom of the Opera.
She doesn't
know
the meaning of taking
a
break! Kasper is busy preparing for a concert
of
music that he has composed
which takes place on
October
15th
as well
as preparing for
the new term
at the Urdang
Academy.
I hope
to get the next letter out after Hastings if I have
time before
I go on holiday (I'm
off to South
Africa on a whale
watching
trip.
I also hope to be able
to go in a cage to get up close
to
a Great
White
Shark!). So keep your news
coming in and
keep working hard.
Dominic
JUNE 2003
Hello Again
Well I've
just about recovered from our Liverpool
project , what with
all the travelling
, the lack of sleep
( If you need
a good
nights sleep
DON'T stay at
the Gladstone hotel at the weekend
!) , and the difficulties
at the
Royal Court
Theatre .
The standard
was very high in Liverpool
with many familiar
faces turning up again. Some
for their 3rd
time ! Unfortunately
the rehearsals
were
marred by some
acts of vandalism
on
the School in
which we were working which is
totally unacceptable behaviour.
If
the
person(s)
responsible
had been found
they would have been removed
from the production.
Having said
that the performances
were excellent and everyone
coped with the
difficult conditions
back stage with
good spirit.
A special thank you goes to our
technical staff who
had a very
trying few days
but managed to get every thing running
smoothly
for
the shows.
At the
certificate ceremony commendations
went to
the Cinderella
Attendants
for their constant
hard
work
, concentration
, and
for being a
lovely group to work
with . All
the solo dancers
got a mention
for the consistent
high quality
of
their
performances
and a special
commendation
went
to Emma
Corrie ( Russian
and
Lilac ) for
her overall improvement
during
the whole project.
Prizes
went to Kathryn
Cooper (Cinderella),
Elizabeth
Warbuton (Russian
and Lilac),
and Katherine
Hamilton (Guest).
Next year
is beginning to
take shape
, so far
we going
to
Preston (
provisional dates
2nd & 3rd April), High Wycome (22nd & 23rd June), Nottingham
(3rd & 4th August), and Wolverhampton (17th & 18th
September).
I will post
the rest
of
the dates
as they are
confirmed.
Jennifer
Taylor wrote to say
she would
like to
contact any
of the
Reed pipes
from our
Nutcracker
production
in Ashton-u-Lyne.
Send
an e-mail
to me and
I will
pass on
your e-mail address
to
Jennifer.
This is
a short
letter
this
time
as I am very
busy
, but do
keep
sending
your
news.
Keep
working
hard.
Dominic
MAY 2003
Hello
Again
This
Letter's theatrical
cliché has to be "The Show Must
Go On".
We had
a couple
of nail
biting weeks
down in
Southsea ,
a few
days before
we were
to start
rehearsals Miss
Lewis got
a frantic
phone call
from one
of the
parents to
say that
she had
just read
in the
local paper
that the
Kings Theatre
in Southsea
had gone
into liquidation
and had
been closed! Would
there still
be an
EYB course? This
was of
course the
first we
had heard
of this
and very
worrying as
we had
already sold
over 800
tickets and
had an
obligation to
the young
dancers and
their parents
to put
on a
show .
Cancelation was
out of
the question. Miss
Lewis quickly
phoned the
paper in
question,
who were
very helpful
and gave
her the
phone numbers
of the
Theatre Trust
and the
local council, and
confirmed that
this was
the case
- the
Theatre was
closed and
all the
money was
gone!
We were
told that
there was
going to
be an
emergency meeting
at the
end of
the following
week to
see if
the council
would bail
out the
Theatre to
keep it
open until
the end
of the
season.
So
we arrived
on day
one with
no concrete
news, all
we could
do was
assure every
one that
there would
be a show
somewhere and
we would
carry on
as normal
. We had
contacted another
venue which
had kindly
agreed to
hold a
slot open
for us
should the
worse happen
. The only
problem with
this was
that they
could not
offer us
the same
dates as
we had
at the
Kings Theatre
which was
a major headache
as Julianne
had other
commitments , we
weren't sure
how many
of the
young dancers
would still
be available
, and on
a selfish
note from
me I had
a ticket to
see Neil
Young ( ask
your parents
! ) and
would have
a good cry
if I missed
that.
So
for the
next week
Miss Lewis
and Bridget
, with the
help of
parents , local
TV, radio
, and
the newspapers
got together
a petition,
lobbied the
council and
put forward
various options
to keep
the show
happening at
the Kings
Theatre on
the dates
planned as
the other
big problem
was how
to honour
the tickets
already sold
if we
switched venues
. All we
could do
now was
wait .........
On
the Friday
as we
were finishing
rehearsals we
heard that
it had
been decided
to put
more money
into the
theatre to
keep it
open for
the rest
of the
season but
this had
to be
ratified by
the rest
of the
council on
Monday . So
all we
could do
was wait, again........
The
news on
Monday was
good !
Everything would
go ahead
as planned
and we
would be
covered for
the tickets
we had
already sold
, the
day was
saved,
the show
would go
on and
I would
get to
see Neil
Young.
Hooray!
It would
have been
a great
shame if
things hadn't
worked out
as the
cast in
Southsea turned
out to
be one
of the
nicest we
have worked
with and
it ended
up being
a very
special EYB
production. Congratulations
all round. The
sad news
is that
the future
of the
Kings Theatre
is still
in doubt
which is
a great
shame as
it is
a beautiful
old theatre
with a
lot of
history.
Julianne (
who is
local to
the area
) and
myself have
fond memories
of performing
there with
the Lewis
London Ballet
and Miss
Lewis performed
there with
London Festival
Ballet.
Southsea will
be a
poorer place
if it
is allowed
to be
closed.At the
certificate ceremony
commendations went
to Julia
Ansty and
Billie-leigh Roberts my two
lead villagers
, the
three solo
girls Gemma
Attwood,
Felicity West, and
Natalie Cawte, and
all the
Dolls in
act 2.
Prizes
went to:
Robyn Vernon-Harcourt ( Morning
hour )
for concentration
, enthusiasm
, and
being a
joy to
teach.
Natalie Relf (Prayer) for
outstanding performance
quality from
day one. Hannah
Cumming (
Chinese Doll
) for
characterisation and
overall improvement
. Laura
Browne (
Work hour
) for
a complete
transformation from
the start
of the
course to
the shows. Rosie Ritchie who danced
with us
in Stevenage
wrote to
say she
has been
accepted at
Tring Performing
Arts in
Hertfordshire .
Congratulations !
Lydia Leeson is performing
in "The Wizard of Oz" at
thr Tameside
Theatre Ashton-u-Lyne
, hope
the shows
go well
and you
have lots
of fun!
Well
that about
wraps it
up. The
next letter
will hopefully
be after
Liverpool and
I hope
to be
able to
let you
know where
we will
be next
year, Miss
Lewis is
working on
the bookings
now. Keep working
hard.
Dominic
APRIL
2003
Hello
again,
Well
it's been
a bit
of a
whirlwind couple
of months
in EYB
land but
we have
all survived
and I'm
here to
tell the
tale . First
was the
mammoth auditions
in Stoke
and Liverpool
, over 500
young dancers
turned up
over the
two venues
! I would
like to
commend them
all and
their parents
for braving
the elements
and putting
up with
the less
than ideal
conditions we
were met
with at
theatres and
still maintaining
a good spirit
. Sorry that
we can't
take everyone
. A special
thank you
to the
father who
abandoned his
family in
the snow
to run
Julianne , Ernest
and my
self to
the station
in Stoke
after our
cab failed
to turn
up , we
made the
train with
5 seconds
to spare
! Truly
an act
above and
beyond the
call of
duty . Who
would have
thought a Virgin
train would
be on
time when
it was
snowing !
Of
course our
main news
was the
premier of "The Sleeping Beauty" in
Croydon last week , a huge undertaking, not without a few worrying
moments but it was "all right on the night".
The
sets
and costumes
looked
spectacular
and
after
a very
shaky
dress
rehearsal
the
young
dancers
pulled
out
four splendid
performances
that
left
Miss
Lewis and
myself
feeling
very proud
(and
relieved!) .
The
audience
response
was
every
thing
we now
expect
at
an EYB
performance
,
even to
the
point
where
some
teachers
and
dancers
said
that they
had
enjoyed
our production
more
than
the new
one
at
The Royal
Opera
House
. Fine
praise
indeed
! So
congratulations
to
everyone
involved.
At
the
certificate
ceremony
in
Croydon
commendations
went
to
Abbigail
Dorrill for
continued
improvement
in
technique
and
confidence
,
Nicola
Anderson
for
improved
point
work
and
confidence
,
and
the
whole
Songbirds
group
for
enthusiasm
,
togetherness
,
and
concentration.
Prizes
went
to
Charlotte
Bell
,
Stephanie
Mico
,
Catherine
Lauder ,
and
Emma
Sharp .
All
for
Professionalism
(each
rehearsal
danced
full
out
,
concentration
,
being
focused
,
and
performance
quality
on
stage).
News
from
past
members
,
Sara
Evans
who
danced
with
us
in
Southend
in
Coppelia
has
recovered
from
a
spinal
operation
she
had
to
have
and
has
gone
on
to
win
a
place
at
the
London
Studio
Centre
in
Kings
Cross
and
will
be
studying
for
a
BA
in
Theatre
Dance
.
Louise
Flanagan who
danced
the
Dawn
Solo
in
Coppelia
in
Preston
has
gained
a
place
at
the
Royal
Ballet
upper
school
.
Congratulations
to
them
both
and
we
wish
them
well
in
their
studies
.
Katie
Selwood from
Swindon
would
like
to
hear
from
any
sweets
and
snowflakes
from
our
Nutcracker
there
.
She
also
runs
her
own
web
page
called
Dance
Crazy
which
is
an
ideal
place
to
contact
her
and
keep
in
touch
with
other
like
minded
dancers
.
A
link
can
be
found
on
our
cross
reference
page
or
the
site
address
is
www.matmice.com/home/dancecrazy
.
Get
in
contact
,
she
is
waiting
to
hear
from
you
all
!
OK
that's
it
for
now
,
keep
your
news
coming
to
me
at
dkmarshall@madasafish.com
and
don't
forget
to
put
EYB
in
the
subject
box.
Keep
working
hard
DOMINIC
JANUARY
2003
Welcome
to the
first
EYB
Newsletter
!
I
hope
to
make
to
make
this
a
regular
feature
on
the
web
site
so
please
contact
me
with
all
your
news
to
keep
it interesting.
The
main
company
news
is
of
course our
new
production
of "The Sleeping
Beauty" . As I sit here writing this up to 10 dress makers are frantically
sewing away at the 200+ costumes designed by Keith
Bish , scenic painters
are bringing to life Sebastian Petit's set designs , the prop maker is
making solid the weird and wonderful ideas of the designers and choreographers
, the mammoth task of recording and editing the music is underway , the
principal dancers are sweating away coming to grips with the challenging "Rose
Adagio" the
Act
3
Grand
pas
de deux
and
the
fiendish
new
choreography
I
am coming
up with
for
Act
2 ,
and
poor
Miss
Lewis
is overseeing
the
whole
madness
keeping
all
our
creative
ideas
within
the
realms
of
reality
and
budget
!
Loads
of
fun
.
There's
no
business
like
show business !
2003
sees
a
few
changes
within
the
company
.
Ursula
and
Richard
left
us
at
the
end
of
2002
to
concentrate
on
their
school
and
other
projects
,
we
wish
them
luck
in
their
work
and
thank
them
for
all
their
past
work
with
us
.
Julianne
,
Roddie ,
and
Kasper
are
all
back
with
us
and
we
would
also
like
to
welcome
our
new
principal
dancer
,
Nadia
Sadiq ,
who
will
be
sharing
the
role
of
Aurora
with
Julianne
.
Nadia's biography
will
be
on
the
website
soon
.
We
also
hope
that
Paul
Lewis will
be
able
to
guest
with
us
again
at
some
time
this
year
.
Another
new
face
is
Eve
Saunders who
is
Miss
Lewis'
new
PA
.
Those
of
you
who
were
at
the
Croydon
and
Southsea
auditions
will
have
met
her
and
if
you
phone
the
office
she
is
the
one
who
will
look
after
you
.
We
would
like
you
to
join
in
us
in
congratulating
our
wardrobe
supervisor
Jessie on
the
birth
of
her
daughter
,
Grace
,
who
was
born
on
the
21st
of
December
.
A
new
baby
and
a
new
production
to
look after
!
Thank
you
to
all
of
you
who contacted
me
about
this
newsletter
.
Rosie
Ritchie who
worked
with
us
in Stevenage
wrote
to
say
she
had
got
top
marks
in
her
ballet
exam
and
that
she
was
preparing
for
a
choreographic
competition,
hope
that
went
as
well as
the
exam.
Amy
Bowyer who
was
in
Ashton
wanted to
contact
Daniel & Samuel
Tate
Potts .
Katie who
was
in
Nutcracker
in
Swindon
would
like to
get
in
contact
with
Lizzie
Hoar and
Lucy
Gallagher .
If
you
wish
to
get
in
contact
with
old
friends
contact
me at
dkmarshall@madasafish.com
and I will
forward
your
message
or
post it
up in
the next
news letter.
Please
remember
to put
EYB in
the subject
box and
say what
you danced in which
production
.
Well
that's
it
for
this
letter
, keep
in contact
, keep
working
hard
, and
I look
forward
to seeing
old
and
new
faces throughout
the
year.
Dominic |