| NEWSLETTERS
2005
November
2005
Hi
Again
Well it’s the end of another year! It seems to have been a year
of extremes, we’ve had our most successful project in terms
of audience attendance (Norwich) and worst (Billingham), most helpful
and
most unhelpful caretakers in the schools , best run theatres and
worse run theatres, seeing in a new production and retiring (for
the time being)
another and all the other dramas that go with working in the performing
arts ! Sometimes I wish for a dull day! It was nice to finish the
year with an excellent group of young dancers in York, they may not
all have
been the most technically accomplished dancers but the hard work,
team work, good spirit and behaviour made it one of the most rewarding
projects
we have done. I have to take my hat off to all the dancers and chaperones
for how well they coped with the very cramped and hot conditions
back stage and how well behaved everyone was.
As usual we have started the auditions for next year, the one in
Manchester was mammoth , with nearly 400 dancers turning up. The
pleasing thing
for me was the number of people who were not taken who came up
to or wrote to us to thank us for the experience. The audition
days are my
least favourite part of what we do, I hate disappointing people
but it is part of how the profession works, there always way more
dancers than
jobs available.
Julianne’s foot is improving daily, she is currently taking a well earned break
in Australia ! She should be back to full fighting
strength
by the time we get to Stevenage next year.
At the
certificate ceremony in York commendations went to all the boys for
their enthusiasm and energy and especially Tomas
Farrington (Fritz)
for his performance and acting quality, the Sweets who were
outstanding, the Waltz of the Flowers for their group work with a special
mention for 2 of the leads Eilish Cody and Sophie
Atkinson,
Poppy
Salenius(Reed
pipe and Mouse) for performance quality and excellent understudying
and Emma Wright (Flower)for constant hard work and learning
every part she
had time to. Junior prizes went to Jessica Stoyes (Doll and
Sweet) and Amelia Atkinson (Child and Chinese). Senior prizes went
to
Lucy Benson (Louise and Spanish) and Kate
Andrews (Maid, Arabian and an
outstanding Madam Bon Bon).
And now
for something different, as Julianne is in Oz , Emma has kindly written
a guest spot for me:-
A Promenade of 2005!
“ My first full season with EYB is both a complete blur, and crystallised
as individual rehearsals, performances and places. I can
remember every gym, main hall, parking lot, theatre, Clara, Duke, and hotel...though
they've flown by. We've been through frigidly cold dancing
conditions
(Bournemouth, York), and stiflingly hot ones (Leamington
Spa, Swindon), sticky floors (Billingham), slippery floors (everywhere at some
point!)
mounting new productions (Nutcracker in Southsea), retiring
old ones (Coppelia), loads of plasters and tubes of Germolene, and many well
deserved rounds of applause.
Starting the year with Sleeping Beauty is the best way to get the
principal dancers back in shape after a break. Of all the
ballets we have in the
repertoire it has the most dancing for the lead couple, with
3 pas de deux and 2 solos each...well, 2 1/2 for the Aurora! I
always have
fun
helping the Friends with their Act I & III dances and the Rose Adage,
every group was so responsive and determined in rehearsal. I've also
helped out with the Jewel ballet this year, with the "Little Jewels" dance
being the first one I've choreographed by myself. I still
await a group of Cryonites somewhere in the country who will
get those diagonals
in
Act II right so I don't have to kick anyone!
The role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in Nutcracker was new to
me this year, and though it has less dancing than Beauty,
it's
hard in
a completely
different way. It's a bit nerve wracking to do your first
bit of proper dancing in the last 20 min. of a ballet, when
everyone
else
has been
on stage for over an hour! If I feel I'm getting nervous
waiting to go on in Act II I like to go backstage and watch
the other
diverts, especially
the Bon Bons who always make me laugh! I commend the girls
in "Waltz
of the Flowers", for smiling through what must be Tchaikovsky's
longest waltz ever! I've performed it in Canada years ago
so I know how hard it is to look pleasant for the 7 min.
of none stop dancing!
Coppelia will always hold a special place in my heart because
it was the first lead role I ever danced with EYB (Canterbury
'04).
When I first
learnt it I wasn't familiar with the music or the choreography,
so my brain was working overtime, especially in Doctor C's
workshop with all
the running back and forth with the little dolls (flop!).
This year I was able to have more fun with the dancing and
acting
as I wasn't having
to concentrate so much on what came next! I always like it
when I get to dance with the rest of the cast, and I did
a lot of
that with Swanhilda's
friends.
Thinking back over the last 8 months, typing this in my flat
in London, it all seemed to go on forever, and yet it also
seems to
have finished
so quickly. I have savoured every moment of it, and look
forward to next year with new and old challenges, gyms, theatres
and
faces.” Emma x
Our principals are busy as usual, Julianne and Matthew will
be touring with the Strauss Gala again, Emma and Roddie will
be
going to Alaska
to guest with the Anchorage Classical Ballet again (performing
the Act 3 pas de deux from Sleeping Beauty, Boutique Fantastique
and
a new piece
to be created on them.) Kasper is busy teaching
at the Urdang and will appearing in a BBC documentary called "Shakespeare's Happy Endings" which
he also did the choreography for. Oliver is still working hard in Toulouse,
dancing in The Taming Of The Shrew by Cranko, touring within France with
a Balanchine triple bill (Theme & Variation, Apollo, Who Cares?),
and a new Carmen by Italian choreographer Davide
Bombana, he has been
chosen to do the role of Escamillo. I am finishing up some choreography
for the Anglian Ballet Company which will premiered on the 3 Feb. 2006
at the Quay Theatre in Sudbury (Suffolk). I am collaborating with the
Artistic Director on a version of “Pictures at an exhibition” so
if you are in the area come and support them.
I have
had an e-mail from Jeremy Davidson’s mum with some photos
of the boys in York backstage, if you are interested in sharing them
contact her at karen@davidsonweir.freeserve.co.uk . Nicola
License wrote
to say she has been accepted on the prevocational training course at
London Contemporary Dance at The Place in London, I’ve also had
messages from Joshua Hutchings and Caitlin
O’Farrell to say
that they have been offered places at Arts Educational
School in Tring. Congratulations
to all !
Well that's
it for this year, hope you all have a great Xmas and new year, hope
to see lots of you again next year
and
as always....
Keep working
hard !
Dominic
Sept 2005
Hi
Again
I’ve just got back from a short break in Sweden visiting friends
(Goteborg was the 1st place I worked in when I left college 24 years
ago), it was nice to chill out and sup a few beers with my best buddy.
Friendship has been one of the themes that has cropped up in recent e-mails
from you guys, how many of you make close friends during the course,
not only students but parents as well. Time passes quickly, it was amazing
in Swindon to have students who have been with us from the earliest days,
Megan Gibson was with us in our 1st production in Yeovil (I think she
was one of the little Dolls in Nutcracker) and was now dancing the Blue
Bird pas de deux, Emma Pickering was one of the Claras in Stevenage (my
1st EYB production) and now was one of the solo Jewels. Not only is it
rewarding to see our students continue to improve but also our principal
dancers, Emma has definitely come into her own this year - if she balances
any longer in the Rose Adage we will have to turn off the music to wait
for her! It was also exciting to see Oliver and Maria do their 1st Sleeping
Beauty together, especially as they work in different countries and had
very little time together - Oliver had to fly back to France for a performance
between the parent’s showing and the dates in the theatre.
So this all goes to show that with EYB, as with the rest of life,
what
you get
out of it depends on what you are willing to put in.....
The ticket
sales in Swindon were a bit disappointing - we sold out on our last
visit - there were some problems with the marketing
so
Bridget
had to do a lot of extra work, so thanks again to all the parents
who helped out.
Going back
to time flying, this month marks the 20th anniversary of Miss Lewis
and myself working together, where does the time
go......Well enough
of my rambling here’s Julianne’s “My
Left Foot -part two”
“ I
have just returned from Swindon where I was very impressed with the
performance, it felt weird not being involved at all! The
children were of a high standard and some lovely performance quality
- well done!
It was also great to see the team up there - not often you get to sit
out front!
I think I was still in plaster when I last wrote, it was two weeks
in all and I was very excited indeed about getting the
plaster off - I think
I expected a lot more or maybe the excitement and expectation
was building up so much that after Tues. 6th the realisation
of how long this is
all going to take and how much work to get the foot ( and
body!) sunk in...
My appointment that day wasn't till 6.30pm so it was the longest
day ever, Peter (my husband) drove us into the west end
where we parked
and went for a cup of tea.. only to find traffic warden
just putting a notice
on the car on our return - I had taken longer than the
2 minute dash back required and we had out stayed our time, even
the
sight of me
hobbling along didn't melt the traffic warden's heart..
When the nurse cut off the plaster I just wanted to look,
- it was such a lovely feeling to be free - a very neat
3 inch
scar
round the
back
of the ankle and some lovely colour bruising which is still
coming out now. The surgeon came and checked it out and
produced some
photos taken
during the op of inside my ankle! I was fascinated and
wished they'd videod it. He said when I was asleep on the
table
my feet were pointed
down, normal peoples' (not dancers!) are turned up at 90
degrees! Next came my new cast, an airboot walker - looks
like a ski
boot - that
straps on and off and holds the foot rigid at 90 degrees.
it was painful at
first to stretch the tendon, it felt so stiff, and I was
disappointed that I couldn't walk. Then the surgeon said
i'd have to wear
it for 4 to 5 weeks! That was a shock. I'd hoped to be
dancing in that time.
Still
it was a huge improvement and made everything easier.
Since then i'm definitely over the worst and nearly three
weeks later am walking unaided around the home - my painful
wrists
will be very
relieved once the crutches go though, getting about on
crutches has done wonders
on my stomach and abs.., bathing, foot in water! (bliss..)
I can swim now - scuba diving course at the moment! Physio
twice
a week and next
week I start pilates. So things are looking up!
To round up, I have meet loads of people who have had similar
things, they seem to attract to me like a magnet! Thanks
again for all
the cards and good wishes. Looking forward to being back
teaching in
York.” Julianne
X
At the certificate ceremony in Swindon commendations went
to Sophie Jones (Lady songbird/White cat), Jessica
Kirkham and
Emma Pickering (Duet Jewel
Fairies), Caroline Rees (Friend) and Nicola
License (Cinderella).
The Cinderella Attendants/Songbirds also got a special
mention as they
are the youngest group and also the most attentive and
concentrated and were
a pleasure to teach. Miss Lewis also asked me to give Thomas
Babbage a special mention as we were very pleased with
his progress and she
forgot to mention him in her talk.
Prizes
went to Emily Gara (Cryonite/Honesty), Lily
Percival (Jewel/Monster),
Maria Walker (Duchess) and Lucy Gallagher
(Friend).
I have
had messages from Amber-Louise Essery to say she will be performing
in Cinderella at the King’s Theatre Southsea in
December (one of the lucky 24 out of 206 who auditioned), Hannah
Cauchi who is
working with the Laines Theatre Arts young Squad, and Lucy
Benson who passed
her Intermediate Foundation exam at 11 and is now doing
classes with the Louise Browne Yorkshire Scholars.
Congratulations to you
all.
Thank you to all of you who write to me to say how
much you enjoyed working
with us.Thats all for now, next stop York.
Keep in
touch and keep working hard
Dominic
" My left Foot "
I was hoping to get this writen in time for the news letter that went
out after Billingham but Dom was too quick
for me! A huge thankyou for all the cards, and good wishes - They were
very helpfull
as I was very
nervous for my foot opp.
The
worst thing was after the Saturday night performance I couldn't work
out which foot hurt the most!!
I must have landed
heavily
on my right
one at some point and strained it slightly..
so all the way till Wed when my opp was I didn't know
which
foot
was bothering
me
more.. . On
Tues I went to pineapple for a last class (for a couple of months)
and saw the others rehearsing
which
was wierd
- not being
part of it
- then went home and tried to get everything
organised and ready for my overnight stay at the Princess
Grace Hospital in central
London.
Wed
morning came. Pouring with rain, so nervous I could hardly talk to
my long suffering
husband who
was driving
me, felt
like a fraud
as it
doesn't hurt to walk. The hospital is great
though, more like a luxury hotel and at
least i didn't
have to be
wheeled to
my bed in a wheel
chair like you would in a normal hospital.
Just hung around in my private room (
thank god for private medical insurance!
) and all the usual checks - blood pressure
and so on
- and
a visit
form my surgeon
and anesthetist,
I was given my hospital gown and paper
knickers to put on and wheeled down.......
I remember
breathing deeply and everything clouding over.. then waking up in
recovery!
all over in
about an hour!
The surgeon
came to tell
me how it went, - just as well they opperated
now as the tendon was showing
signs of wear and tear, in some way I
wish they'd filmed it and i could see what they
did but no
way did I want
to be awake
during..
Now
Miss Lewis and the other E.Y.B staff are working hard on Sleeping
Beauty in
Swindon and I'm at home
watching the weeds
grow and getting
a sore behind from so much sitting! My
arms are killing me from hauling myself about in crutches but I guess
I will
get used to it!
I have
another 10 days of no wieght on it then I will have the plaster
off and
the
rehabillitation
begins..
I keep
thinking of poor Dom who
had his leg in plaster for 10 weeks
last summer with
a ruptured achilles... so i am getting
off lightly with just
2 weeks
in plaster!
Julianne X
August 2005
Hi
Again
As you
know the last two months has been a tale of two Coppelias, one in
Leamington Spa and the other
in Billingham,
lots of
hard work for
all concerned. Unfortunately
the main thing they had in common was the disappointing seat sales
in both
venues.
Leamington
thought we
had done
very well, it was a difficult
venue and not really suited to us, and as you may remember the
roof of the theatre
in Billingham
had blown
of just before the audition
so it had been closed
for 6
months and the publicity
for our show only went
out a week before we opened so no body knew we were there. Thankfully
the
parents
in
Billingham
helped
out and
we managed
to get a lot of T.V,
radio and press coverage so we had a respectfully sized audience for
the
shows.
We
thought
the
young dancers
in Leamington were very
well behaved and that they and their chaperones
coped well
with lack of space at
the Royal Spa theatre. I wish I could say the same for Billingham.
Even
though
the standard
of
dancing was very high
there
was a lack of attention
and amongst the older girls
some unacceptable behaviour
which spoiled the project for
me and others who had
to continuously reprimand
people while in the theatre. But having
said that the performances
were very strong and
most of the dancers did themselves proud.
In Leamington
commendations went to all boys especially Ben Bazeley, the 2 Lead
Villagers
Jessica Higgins and Amie
Carter, the Work Hours
group, and Carolanne
Daisley for steady technical
improvement.
A special
group award went to the 4 Scottish
Dolls
Grace Carr,
Amelia Evans, Charlotte
Bailey, and
Genevieve
Heron.
The Junior
Prize went
to Hannah
Davies (Prayer/Little Friend), and the Senior
Prize went to Amy
Shelton (Czardas/
Morning Hour).
In Billingham
commendations went to Rebecca Spence (Prayer/Little
Friend), Alice Kilburn (Work
hour), The Friends
Group,
Charlotte
Stevens (Morning hour),
and Frances
Barrett (Morning
hour).
Prizes
went to Melisa Morten (Morning
hour),
Rachel
Guy (Friend/
Dawn on sat mat), Adele
Harrison (Night
hour)
and Amy
Napper (villager).
In other
news Julianne has
just had an
operation on
her leg to
clear
up an injury
she has
been working
on for the
last few months
so she
will not be
joining us in Swindon.
I have just
spoken
to her and
she is planning
to write all
about
her operation
for me to include
in
the next
news letter.
If any of
you want to
send her
a message
you can
send it
via me to pass
on. Taking
Julianne’s place for the performances
is Maria
Fichaux who
you may
remember danced
with us in Nottingham last
summer, so
it will be nice for us to
work with her again. We all
hope Julianne has
a speedy recovery and will
be back with
us in York. Next year is
settled now, we will
be going
to Stevenage, Manchester,
Nottingham, Canterbury,
Southend, Wolverhampton,
and Redhill, full details
should
be on the web
site by the
end of next
month.
I have
had messages from
Emma
Kelly to say she
was sucessful
in her auditions
for the Royal
Ballet
associates
and
summer school
and has passed
her
intermediate
foundation
at the age
of 11,
and from
Bethany
Wells to say she
is now a
Senior Associate with
Northern
Ballet and
on the waiting
list for
the Royal
Ballet. Congratulations
to you
both. Sorry
this letter
is a bit
cut and dry
but I am
very tired/busy
and we start
work
in
Swindon tomorrow
!
Keep working
hard,
Dominic
July 2005
Hi
Again
Just a
short letter this
time as we went
straight from
Norwich to Leamington
Spa so
I have not had
any time
to get down
to this and
the weather is too
nice to spend
too much time
in front of
the computer! Norwich
was a
great success,
with the school’s
matinee we had the highest audience attendance in our
history so they want us back in 2007. The Theatre Royal
in Norwich is a lovely venue, very well run and an excellent
crew
so we will be looking
forward to
going back.
Some
of you
may have
seen a
story in
the national
press about
one of
the boys
in the
production, Shaine
Young, who
had been
bullied at
school because
of his
dancing. He,
his mother
and Miss
Lewis appeared
GMTV and
through this
Shaine was
offered an
audition and
subsequently a
place with
part scholarship
at the
Hammond school. The amazing
part of
this was
that Shaine had done
no Ballet
before he
auditioned for
us, the
sad part
is that
boys (and
sometimes girls)
still get
so much
hassle for
doing ballet,
nothing seems
to have
changed over
the last
30 years
from when
I started dancing,
we just
have to
grow a
thick skin
and take
comfort in
the fact
that will
eventually spend
our working
lives doing
something we
love (and
be constantly
surrounded by
some of
the most
beautiful women
in the
world....it’s
a tough
life).
We got
some good
revues for our
Virtuoso performances
so although it is
unlikely that
we will
do any more
this year
we are trying
to fit in some
performances next
year within
our busy EYB schedule.
At
the certificate
ceremony commendations
went to Libby
Render (Doll),
Ruth Barker (Madam Bonbon),
and Charlotte Dickens (Spanish). Also
The Dolls/Sweets
and the Soldier/Russians
girls for their
group work.
Prizes
went to Christopher
McQuade (cavalier/father),
Katya
Hamilton-Smith (Snowflake)
and Anna
Murray (Reed
pipe/Mouse).
I
have messages
from Gorgie
Stocker to
say she
has been
offered a
place on
the Central
school of
Ballet’s pre senior program, Samantha
Hacklett has made it onto the waiting list for the Royal Ballet School’s
JAs, Annabel
O’Rourke has been offered a place at Arts Educational
in Tring, Louise
Flanagan continues to do well at the Royal Ballet School,
she made it to the finals of the Young British Dancer of the year and
has been performing in "Manon" at
the Royal
Opera House,
and Molly
Jennings will
be going
to Elmhurst
in September.
Congratulations
to
you all. That's
all for
now, I’ve
started posting
the dates
and auditions
for next
year on
the web
site so
keep checking.
The next
letter wont
be until
after Billingham
as we
do not
have a
break until
then.
Keep
working hard
Dominic
May
2005
Hi
Again
Sorry
for the delay
with this
letter but we
have been
insanely busy
this last
couple of months
and I have
been hiding
in a dark
room for the
last couple
of days trying
to recover! (and
upgrade my computer).
First up it
was great to be
back in Southsea,
it has become
quite a special
venue for
us. I am happy
to report that
not only
is the Kings
Theatre still
open but is
flourishing and
has just gained
an extra grant
for renovations.
We feel very
proud to have
played a part
in keeping
such a beautiful
theatre open.
We had our
second highest
audience attendance
there as well.
Yet again
we were extremely
pleased with
the behaviour and
attitude
to work
from the young
dancers and we
would like
to say a
special thank
you to the
Admiral Lord
Nelson School
for been
so helpful, the
caretaking
staff
there are excellent.
Our big news
was of course
the New
production The
Nutcracker. I have
too say it looked
stunning! All the
designers, makers
and painters did
an
outstanding job
so
a huge thank
you to all of
them. The
performances were
of a very
high level,
and even
though there
was a spread
in technical ability
what was impressive
was how well
everyone worked
within the groups,
I was very
pleased with
the groups I worked
with and
enjoyed teaching
them. Also
new to us
was our guest
principal artist
Oliver Speers
who currently works
with the Capitole
Ballet of France
in Toulouse, we
will
be seeing
more of
him this year
in our other
Nutcracker productions.
Kasper produced
his first
pieces of choreography
for us which
resulted in a
very stylish
Spanish dance
and a very
charming Chinese
dance complete
with Dragon!
Hopefully he will
feel encouraged
enough to do
more.
At
the certificate
ceremony commendations
went to
the Arabians,
Russians, Snowflakes
and Flowers
for their
excellent group
work.
Rowan
Fox-Noble for
improvement,
Sam
Ainslie for
the ovation
he got
every night
at end
of Russian
Dance, Megan
Speirs (Chinese & Child)
for excellent
footwork and
Daniel Brooks for brilliant
acting and
performance
quality. The
Senior prize
went to
Caroline
Devane (Madam
Bon bon/ The maid)
and the
Junior
Prize went
to Karina
Hind (Reed-Pipe/
Mouse). There
was also
a
Special Award
(a first
time) to
Natalie
Relf (Clara)
who was outstanding
from the
1st
rehearsal to the
last performance
and was
professional
beyond her years
- she was
still only
13.
Emma and Roddie’s trip to Alaska was very successful, they performed the
pas de deux from Coppelia as well as other pieces by the director there. They
are now trying to decide what to perform next year. Matthew
Alan will be performing
English National Ballet in their “in the round” production of Romeo & Juliet
at the
Royal
Albert
Hall in
June.
Our
other big
news was
the VIRTUOSO
performances.
It
felt like
one of
those projects
where anything
could get
in the
way it
would, what
with sickness,
last minute
technical
problems
with the
venue, tantrums,
and the
state opening
of parliament
closing down
westminster
it
was a
wonder it
even happened
at all!
But as
ever things
were “all right on the night” and Miss Lewis felt it was an
Artistic success. One big bonus (for me anyway) was we discovered our new wardrobe
lady, Flora
Panopoulos, is a very talented designer. Her costumes for my “Firebird” are
amazing!
Next
year
is
starting
to
shape up,
we have
Manchester,
Southend,
Nottingham,
and
Wolverhampton
confirmed.
I will
post the
details
when
the auditions
have been
confirmed,
so
please don’t
contact the
office
until then.
Miss
Lewis and
I have
had lots
of messages
with your
news. Neil
Towers has
gained
a
scholarship
for
the Northern
Ballet
School
, Katrina
Wilson will
be going
to Elmhurst,
Sophie
Baxter will be
going to
the English
National
Ballet
School,
Laura
Willey has
finished
filming
in the
new Harry
Potter
film
(due out
at Xmas)
and has
gained
a
Scholarship
to
go to
the Northern
Ballet
School,
and Alexander and Thomas
Bennett who
through
the
Royal Ballet
JA’s
performed
at the
Royal Opera
House
in
Cinderella
at Xmas
have
gained places
at White
Lodge
and will
start
as
borders
in September.
Congratulations
to you all
!
Well
that's
all
I have
time
for.
Keep
working
hard.
Dominic
March
2005
Hi
Again
Well
we’re well and truly into 2005 now and we have been busy as usual.
We have just finished our 1st project in Bournemouth and have just cast the next
one in Southsea. It’s been a bit of an odd start to the year, a couple
of the auditions were a bit stressful, the roof of the theatre in Billingham
blew off during the storms earlier in the year which meant we had to do the audition
in the function room rather than the stage which was not ideal but as it was
quite a small audition for us everyone coped very well. The stage in Norwich
was not available for the audition either and we were talked into using a dance
studio near by, then when we visited the studio 2 weeks before the audition we
were told that we were only allowed 50 people at a time in the studio (fire regulations)
and it was too late to find an alternative venue! So we had to use another room
as well and split the auditions into 2 halves which also meant that the parents
and teachers couldn’t watch. They had no idea how popular we are and how
many people normally turn up for our auditions! The project in Bournemouth was
harder work than usual, they didn’t seem to know what we were all about
and we had had difficulty getting people to know about the audition and just
what it is we are and what we do. But we won them over in the end and the theatre
is talking about us coming back as they felt we had done well even if we felt
it had been an uphill struggle. The caretaker at the school we rehearsed at had
to be the most miserable and unhelpful we have ever come across and completely
obsessed with his floors! I managed to amuse the parents at the meetings with
his daily messages about what we couldn’t
do.
Having
said
all
that
the
performances
went
very
well
and
it
was
business
as
usual
for
EYB.
At
the certificate
ceremony
in
Bournemouth
commendations
went to
Francesca
Wateridge,
Sarah Hoar (Friends),
the
Songbird
group
and the
Russian group
for their
dedication
and
Hannah Waters (Duchess),
Summer
Campbell (Little
jewel/monster)
and
Jessica Lenehan (Guest) for
their performance
quality.
Prizes
went to
Craig Dimmock (Duke) and
Adele Jordan (Honesty/Cryonite).
In
other
news
our new
production
of “The Nutcracker” premiers in
Southsea, the same creative team that worked on “The Sleeping Beauty” has
designed
,
built,
painted
and
sewn
it
all
together
so
it
promises
to
be
excellent.
As
I
write
this
Roddie and
Emma are
in
Alaska
guesting
with
the
Anchorage
Ballet
so
we
wish
them
luck
with
the
performances.
They
get
back
just
in
time
to
start
teaching “The Nutcracker” in Southsea. Our “VIRTUOSO” performances
are at St. John’s, Smith Sq. in London on the 17th & 18th
of May and St. Anthony’s Lewiston, Sherborne on the 22nd of
May and we are hoping to do more later in the year. I also managed
to see The Anglian Ballet company
performing the 3 ballets I created for them including the premier
of “Riders
in the Storm” my
Hitchhiking,
psychopathic
serial
killer
ballet
which
went
down
very
well
!?!
I
have
had
messages
from
Amber
Thompson who
has
been
accepted
into
the
Urdang
Academy
Associates
and
the
Northern
Ballet
Easter
course,
Rachael
Brown who
after
been
offered
4
different
places
at
colleges
has
decided
to
accept
a
place
at
the
Bird
College
in
September,
Samuel
Butler who
will
be
starting
at
Arts
Ed
in
Tring
in
September,
Helen
Long who
got
a
distinction
for
her
Grade
1
ballet
after
working
with
us
in
Grimsby
and
Louise
Flanagan who
is
in
her
second
year
at
the
Royal
Ballet
Upper
School
and
was
chosen
to
dance
for
royalty
in
Dubai
last
year
as
part
of
a
publicity
event
for
Ebel
Watches.
Well
thats
it
for
now,
keep
your
news
coming
in
and
keep
working
hard!
Dominic |