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September 2017
A message from Dame Beryl Grey, following the launch of her book
Dear Susan
Thank you for all the time and trouble you have taken to make the launch such a success. Dame Monica has told me that it was a very happy evening thanks to your careful planning and hard work.
I am only sorry I could not be with you and all my friends at the London Ballet Circle. Please pass on my appreciation to everyone.
Warmest good wishes,
Beryl Grey
Dame Beryl Grey CH, DBE
Follow-up message from Lesley, Assistant to Dame Beryl
Dear Susan
Dame Beryl is so thrilled with the Postman's delivery this morning in which your package to her arrived safely. She will be writing to you herself but wanted me to email you her thanks for your great kindness for all the trouble you must have gone to collecting such a number of photos that you have so thoughtfully put in an album for her. We have both been through the photos, happily recognising people so it has brought last Monday’s event to life along with the recording.
Dame Beryl sends you all her deep appreciation and hopes you will send her love and good wishes to all the members who she looks forward to thanking in person when she is fully recovered.
Kind regards, Lesley
Founding President and First Patron: Dame Ninette de Valois OM, CH, DBE
President and Patron 1981 to 2004: Dame Alicia Markova DBE
Founded in 1946 by Stanley Hawkins
Patron: Sir Peter Wright CBE
President: Dame Monica Mason DBE Vice Presidents: Dame Beryl Grey, CH, DBE, Dame Merle Park DBE,
Wayne Eagling, David Nixon OBE, Darius James, David Bintley CBE, Kevin O’Hare
and
Cassa Pancho MBE
Associate Vice President: Michael Broderick
Chair: Susan Dalgetty Ezra
Website: www.tlbc.org.uk Twitter: @BalletCircle and on Facebook
UK Charity Registration No: 1123258
Founding President and First Patron: Dame Ninette de Valois OM, CH, DBE
President and Patron 1981 to 2004: Dame Alicia Markova DBE
Founded in 1946 by Stanley Hawkins
Patron: Sir Peter Wright CBE
President: Dame Monica Mason DBE Vice Presidents: Dame Beryl Grey CH, DBE, Dame Merle Park DBE, Wayne Eagling,
David Nixon OBE, Darius James, David Bintley CBE, Kevin O’Hare and
Cassa Pancho MBE
Associate Vice President: Michael Broderick
Chair: Susan Dalgetty Ezra
Website: www.tlbc.org.uk Twitter: @BalletCircle and on Facebook
UK Charity Registration No: 1123258
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September 2017 Dear Members
In this edition:
Visit to Freed of London Wednesday 6 September, 10.30 am – just 2 places left!
Maina Gielgud, in conversation with Michael Broderick Monday 11 September, 7.30 pm
Visit to watch class at Ballet Black Thursday 28 September, 10.00 am
Robert Parker, Artistic Director, Elmhurst Ballet School, in conversation with Susan Johnson Monday 16 October, 7.30 pm
Ivan Putrov, Ballet Dancer and Producer, in conversation with Allison Potts Monday 13 November, 7.30 pm
Visit to watch a rehearsal of Ivan Putrov’s Men in Motion Wednesday 22 November, time tba
Free studio performance of The Nutcracker by Danceworks Youth Ballet Company Saturday 9 December, 2.00 pm
LBC Annual General Meeting and Party Saturday 13 January 2018, 5.15 pm
As the new ballet season approaches, the London Ballet Circle offers you an exciting programme of talks, visits and events. To make sure you continue to be sent invitations, please ensure you renew your membership. You will find the Membership renewal form on the back page. (Unfortunately, due to the administrative charges that apply, LBC cannot take payments via credit cards.) Regulations are changing which will affect all organisations and how they contact their members. If you do not tick the box next to the relevant point we will be unable to send you a Newsletter after April 2018. The form also contains the usual request regarding Gift Aid, this is an important additional source of income for us. If you donate £12.50 to us, and you are a UK tax payer and have completed the membership renewal form completing the Gift Aid section we are able to claim £3.12 from HMRC turning it into a donation of £15.62. Over the last four years through Gift Aid we have been able to raise an additional £2,628.66, which equates to five bursaries or scholarships. Read on to find out more about the delightful, life-changing opportunities you have helped to create. Take a bow everybody! Kind regards Allison Potts Newsletter Editor
Founding President and First Patron: Dame Ninette de Valois OM, CH, DBE
President and Patron 1981 to 2004: Dame Alicia Markova DBE
Founded in 1946 by Stanley Hawkins
Patron: Sir Peter Wright CBE
President: Dame Monica Mason DBE Vice Presidents: Dame Beryl Grey CH, DBE, Dame Merle Park DBE, Wayne Eagling,
David Nixon OBE, Darius James, David Bintley CBE, Kevin O’Hare and
Cassa Pancho MBE
Associate Vice President: Michael Broderick
Chair: Susan Dalgetty Ezra
Website: www.tlbc.org.uk Twitter: @BalletCircle and on Facebook
UK Charity Registration No: 1123258
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Freed of London factory visit Wednesday 6 September, 10.30 – 12 noon 62-64 Well Street, London, E9 7PX Donations are requested - a minimum of £12.50 is suggested (No credit/debit cards accepted) Freed of London is the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of professional dance shoes. Freed of London shoes are hand crafted in London and LBC members can now see the process for themselves and watch the craftsmen at work.
Two thirds of all Freed Classic pointe shoes are made to dancers’ specific requirements and are worn by Prima Ballerinas worldwide including Tamara Rojo and Alessandra Ferri. Freed of London also supplies most major ballet companies in the world including The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Miami City Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, Finnish National Ballet, Scottish Ballet, Rambert Dance Company and Pacific Northwest Ballet, to name just a few. Due to cancellations, there are now two places available. If you would like to take part in this visit please advise Audrey Allen and if you wish to donate please send a cheque, made payable to The London Ballet Circle, to Audrey Allen, 8 Goldsmith Road, London, N11 3JP, 020 8361 2872, [email protected]. Acknowledgements of your donation and confirmation of places will be made by email where applicable but if you require a written receipt please enclose a stamped addressed envelope. The factory can be reached via London Overground to London Fields railway station.
Maina Gielgud in conversation with Michael Broderick Monday 11 September, 7.30 pm Civil Service Club, 13-15 Great Scotland Yard, London, SW1A 2HJ Payment at the door, members £5, guests £8 (No credit/debit cards accepted) Trained by the great Russians including Tamara Karsavina and Lubov Egorova, and later Rosella Hightower, Maina Gielgud has had an incredibly diverse career creating works with Maurice Bejart’s XXth Century Ballet, dancing as a principal with London Festival Ballet and Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet, as an international guest artist, and being partnered by Rudolf Nureyev. She then directed The Australian Ballet (1983-1997) and the Royal Danish Ballet (1997-1999).
Freelancing since 1999, she stages her own classical productions, such as her highly acclaimed The Sleeping Beauty and Giselle for The Australian Ballet
(staged also for Boston Ballet, Ballet du Rhin, and Houston Ballet), various works choreographed by Maurice Bejart, including Serait-ce la Mort, Bhakti, Webern opus 5, and Songs of a Wayfarer; by Kenneth MacMillan: Manon; Serge Lifar: Suite en Blanc; Rudolf Nureyev's productions of Don Quixotte and Swan Lake, and classical favourites such as Les Sylphides, Spectre de la Rose, Paquita.
Maina made a comeback in 2003 as a dancer and actress in Bejart's L’Heure Exquise.
In the last couple of years, her schedule included staging Kenneth MacMillan's Manon, a production of the Bournonville La Sylphide with new sets and costumes, for the Hungarian National Ballet, and staging Nureyev's Don Quixotte for La Scala Milan. She travelled to Australia to work with all three classically based companies, then restaging her production of Giselle in Melbourne and Sydney.
During the 2015/16 season she created a new production of Coppelia for the Australian Conservatoire of Ballet performances, was a guest teacher with Tokyo Ballet in Japan, and staged Manon once again for the Hungarian National Ballet. She was on the Jury of the Helsinki Competition, Finland, then during the summer, gave Masterclasses at the National Ballet School, Toronto, in New York with Ellison Ballet, Ballet Academy East, and ABT Summer intensive.
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This season is equally busy, guest teaching with the Royal Ballet, mime and stagecraft classes for the Royal Ballet School, staging Anton Dolin's Variations for 4 for Ellison Ballet and La Scala school in Milan, working on Kenneth Greve's production of Swan Lake with the Finnish National Ballet, as well as returning to Budapest for Manon, and in her position of Artistic Advisor for the Hungarian National Ballet. Watch class at Ballet Black Thursday 28 September, 10.00 am Feathers Association, 2 Rossmore Road, London, NW1 6NX Donations are requested - a minimum of £12.50 is suggested (No credit/debit cards accepted) LBC Vice President and Director of Ballet Black Cassa Pancho invites LBC members and their friends to watch class. Of Trinidadian and British parents, Cassa trained at the Royal Academy of Dance, gaining a degree in classical ballet from Durham University. Upon graduating in 2001, she founded Ballet Black to provide role models to young, aspiring black and Asian dancers. A year later, she opened the Ballet Black Junior School in Shepherd’s Bush and in 2004, began the BB Associate Programme, which currently has over 400 members. Ballet Black won both the Critics’ Circle National Dance Award for Outstanding Company in 2009 and Best Independent Company in 2012. Cassa was awarded an MBE in the 2013 New Year Honours List for Services to Classical Ballet. In 2015, Cassa became a Patron of Central School of Ballet and 2016 became a vice president of The London Ballet Circle. There are places for 20 people to watch class. The building is wheelchair accessible but the studio is up a very short flight of stairs. If you would like to take part in this visit please advise Audrey Allen and if you wish to donate please send a cheque, made payable to The London Ballet Circle, to Audrey Allen, 8 Goldsmith Road, London, N11 3JP, 020 8361 2872, [email protected]. Acknowledgements of your donation and confirmation of places will be made by email where applicable but if you require a written receipt please enclose a stamped addressed envelope. The Feathers Association, which is a youth club, is situated just behind Marylebone Station. Marylebone station is on the Bakerloo line. If you are travelling by bus, the numbers 13, 82, 113, 139, 189 and 273 pass close by. You might want to watch out for a talented young dancer, Ebony Thomas, shown above, Ballet Black’s latest apprentice. Ebony was born in London and started dancing at the age of 5 at Kingston Ballet School. He joined The Royal Ballet’s Junior Associates where he took classes for three years and was chosen to perform several times with The Royal Ballet. At the age of 11 he joined Elmhurst Ballet School where he got many performance opportunities such as dancing with Birmingham Royal Ballet, being on two of The Royal Academy of Dance’s new DVD syllabi and dancing at The Virginia Arts Festival. Ebony has performed repertoire including David Bintley’s Argonauts, Lead Combat Man from Sir Peter Wright’s Coppélia and the Don Quixote pas de deux. He is delighted to return to London to join Ballet Black.
The London Ballet Circle records its sincere thanks to Dominic Christian and Kate Birch who have very generously donated £2,000, via LBC, towards the cost of Ebony’s apprenticeship. Cassa tells us that an apprenticeship costs the company £25,000 for a year. This amount covers wages for the dancer, and a contribution towards the cost of dancer health (physiotherapy, osteopathy, massage etc), as well as dance shoes for rehearsal and performance. The company has now reached the halfway point with Ebony’s fund. Ballet Black is currently funded through private donations, project-based Arts Council grants and the income it earns through touring and teaching. If you are interested to find out more about supporting Ballet Black’s apprenticeship programme, please contact LBC’s Treasurer Susan Johnson on 07725 149482.
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Robert Parker, Artistic Director, Elmhurst Ballet School, in conversation with Susan Johnson Monday 16 October, 7.30 pm Civil Service Club, 13-15 Great Scotland Yard London, SW1A 2HJ Payment at the door, members £5, guests £8 (No credit/debit cards accepted)
Robert joined Elmhurst as Artistic Director in
autumn 2012, following his retirement as a
principal dancer with Birmingham Royal Ballet.
Born in Kingston upon Hull, Robert trained at the
Royal Ballet School and joined the Birmingham
Royal Ballet in 1994 under the directorship of Sir
Peter Wright. He received early acclaim when he
danced the Second Seminarian in Carmina
burana at the Royal Opera House in 1996. He
quickly rose through the ranks and was promoted
to Principal in 1999. He has danced a wide and
varied repertoire from the classics to contemporary
works, closely collaborating and creating many
lead roles with director and choreographer David
Bintley and other international choreographers. He
has made guest appearances with the Royal Ballet
and received various accolades.
In 2008, he took a sabbatical and moved to the
USA where he successfully acquired his
Commercial Pilots' Licence. A year later he returned to his first love of dance, re-joining Birmingham Royal
Ballet in 2009 where he continued to perform Principal roles. During this time, he also began teaching at
Elmhurst on a regular basis, completed a Master’s degree in Philosophy in Education and was selected to
attend the 2012 Rural Retreat for aspiring artistic leaders. After retiring from Birmingham Royal Ballet, he
passed his RAD Professional Dancers’ Teaching Diploma with distinction. That same year he was
appointed President of the Ballet Association.
His repertory with Birmingham Royal Ballet included: Frederick Ashton’s La Fille mal gardée (Colas), The
Two Pigeons (Young Man), Scènes de ballet and Voices of Spring; George Balanchine’s Apollo (title
role), Agon (first pas de trois), Four Temperaments (Melancholic Variation), Prodigal Son (title
role), Slaughter on Tenth Avenue (Hoofer), Western Symphony (Fourth Movement) and Duo Concertant;
David Bintley’s Edward II (Edward, Gaveston), Far from the Madding Crowd (Oak), Hobson's Choice (Will
Mossop, Fred Beenstock), Carmina burana (Second Seminarian), Choros (Pyrrhic), The Seasons ('Spring',
'Autumn'), Tombeaux (lead role), Dance House, and David Bintley and Galina Samsova's production
of Giselle (Albrecht); Ninette de Valois: Checkmate (Red Knight), Job (Satan); Kenneth MacMillan: Romeo
and Juliet (Romeo), Elite Syncopations ('Friday Night') and Song of the Earth (Messenger of Death)
and Song of the Earth (Messenger of Death); Hans van Manen’s Five Tangos
Jerome Robbins’s Fancy Free (Sailor) and Twyla Tharp’s In the Upper Room, Nine Sinatra Songs
Sir Peter Wright's productions of Coppélia (Franz), The Nutcracker (Prince), The Sleeping Beauty (Prince
Florimund, Bluebird), and Sir Peter Wright and Galina Samsova's production of Swan Lake (Siegfried)
Spring Waters pas de deux.
His created roles include David Bintley’s Arthur (title role, Mordred) Cyrano (title role), Beauty and the
Beast (Beast), The Nutcracker Sweeties (Sailor), The Orpheus Suite (Orpheus), The Shakespeare
Suite (Hamlet) and The Protecting Veil; Stanton Welch’s Powder; Lila York’s Sanctum; and Kim
Brandstrup’s Pulcinella.
His awards include: Olivier Award nomination, 2001; Critics' Circle Award nomination, 2001 and the Critics'
Circle Award for Outstanding Male Artist, 2003.
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Ivan Putrov, Ballet Dancer and Producer, in
conversation with Allison Potts
Monday 13 November, 7.30 pm Civil Service Club, 13-15 Great Scotland Yard, London, SW1A 2HJ Payment at the door, members £5, guests £8 (No credit/debit cards accepted) Photography courtesy of Nick Knight
Ivan was born in Kiev, Ukraine to a ballet family. He trained at The Kiev State Choreographic Institute and at The Royal Ballet School. Upon graduation Sir Anthony Dowell invited him to join the Company, where he became a principal after three seasons. Since leaving the Royal Ballet Ivan has not only continued to dance, but has also developed his skills and experience as a ballet producer. In 2012 Ivan conceived and produced Men in Motion. The latest edition of Men in Motion will be performed at the London Coliseum on 22 & 23 November and LBC members will get the opportunity to watch a rehearsal on 22 November. Award-winning dancers Matthew Ball, Irek Mukhamedov, Daniel Proietto and Edward Watson are among
those joining Ivan in the latest production, which explores the changing role of the male dancer over the
last century. Men in Motion pays homage to the great dancers and choreographers of the past and
showcases some of the most exciting artists at work today. To the accompaniment of a live orchestra, the
evening includes pieces by great choreographers from Michel Fokine to Russell Maliphant. Ivan Putrov
dances the role made famous by Nijinsky in Le Spectre de la Rose and Daniel Proietto performs the
exquisite Afterlight, a piece inspired by Nijinsky. Royal Ballet principal, Edward Watson reprises the comic
but ultimately poignant Volver, Volver which sees him move from matinee idol to Spiderman. Matthew Ball,
rising star of The Royal Ballet, makes his London Coliseum debut and the legendary Irek Mukhamedov
makes a welcome return to the stage in a new work created for him by Arthur Pita.
Ivan says “The latest version of Men in Motion will feature both familiar pieces and new additions. I look
forward to working with the outstanding cast and am absolutely delighted to welcome Irek Mukhamedov
who continues to be an inspiration both as a performer and teacher to generations of dancers.”
Irek, whose performance in English National Ballet’s Broken Wings last year won him a nomination for
Outstanding Male Performance (Classical) in the National Dance Awards, will perform a new work,
specifically created by Arthur Pita. Irek says: “Dancing is my life! Being in the studio, passing on what I
know to other dancers and, of course, performing, are what make life worthwhile. I am really looking
forward to working with Arthur Pita – the challenge of creating something new is always exciting for a
dancer, young or old! I love being on stage and am thrilled that Men in Motion will allow me to take on a
new journey of artistic discovery.”
If you have any questions you would like me to put to Ivan, please email me at [email protected]
With lots of LBC favourites taking part in these performances Ivan has kindly offered members the
opportunity to sit in on the rehearsal on the day of the premiere.
SAVE THE DATE
Watch a rehearsal of Ivan Putrov’s Men in Motion
Wednesday 22 November, time tba
At the London Coliseum
Time, cost and ticket information will be included in the November Newsletter
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Danceworks Youth Ballet Company The Nutcracker Saturday 9 December, 2.00 pm Abbreviated studio performance at Danceworks, 16 Balderton
Street, London, W1K 6TN
Free of charge – see booking details below Following a wonderful Summer School with 100 students from 20 countries who were privileged to be taught by Guest Teachers Sergei Polunin, Ivan Putrov, Melissa Hamilton, Erico Montes and Nathalie Harrison, the Academy Autumn Term of after-school and weekend classes will be starting in September. This year Danceworks was proud to offer two inspiration scholarships to students in association with Sergei Polunin and Michaela DePrince.
The students will be performing both acts of The Nutcracker at The
Greenwood Theatre, 55 Weston Street, London, SE1 3RA on 12
November, with an additional in-studio abbreviated performance on 9
December at Danceworks, which LBC members are invited to attend,
free of charge.
Danceworks is delighted to offer 15 free tickets to LBC members for
the in-studio performance. All you need to do is email
LBC Annual General Meeting and Party Saturday 13 January 2018, 5.00 pm for 5.15 pm Dragon Hall, 17 Stukeley Street, London, WC2B 5LT Payment in advance, members £15, guests £20, (No credit/debit cards accepted)
Please remember to bring your membership card Our AGM, to which all paid up members of The London Ballet Circle are invited, takes place at 5.15 pm (doors open at 5.00 pm) and is followed by our annual party at approximately 6.00 pm. A copy of the Agenda will be enclosed with the next Newsletter. Attendance at the AGM is, of course, free, and open to members only, but if you wish to attend the party please send a cheque for £15, made payable to The London Ballet Circle, enclosing a stamped addressed envelope for acknowledgement if required, to the Honorary Secretary, Jean Wilde, 4 Guinea Court, Basingstoke, RG24 8XJ. Guests may be invited to the party from 6 pm and payment of £20 should be made for each guest (details as for members). Dragon Hall is in Stukeley Street, off the main thoroughfares, but is a very short distance from Holborn station. On leaving the station cross High Holborn at the traffic lights (Holborn Kingsway to your left, Southampton Row to your right), keep going on the left-hand side and go down Smart’s Place, or the next turning, Drury Lane, until you get to Stukeley Street. LBC Scholarship recipients
LBC Dame Ninette de Valois Awards Congratulations to the Royal Ballet School graduate winners of the London Ballet Circle Dame Ninette de Valois Awards Sae Maeda (female winner) and Haoliang Feng (male winner), shown left with Sir Peter Wright. Sae will be joining with the Royal Ballet Aud Jebsen Young Dancers Programme. Haoliang is joining the Birmingham Royal Ballet.
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LBC & Dutch National Ballet scholarship You will want to read the ‘thank you’ note and diary (shown below) sent to us by Chloe Jones, from Elmhurst, who was awarded our scholarship to attend the two-week long Amsterdam International Ballet School. Our sincere thanks go to Ernst Meisner and Dutch National Ballet for this wonderful opportunity.
“Dear London Ballet Circle members
I just wanted to say a massive thank you to all at the London Ballet Circle for providing the funding that enabled me to attend the Amsterdam International Summer School. I cannot thank you all enough for making this possible as I had such an amazing experience. Below is the diary that I kept over the two weeks.
Thank you so much once again for all that you've done!
Warm regards
Chloe Jones
17 July So today was the start of the Summer School in Amsterdam!
We began the day with class taught by Christiane Marchant which I absolutely loved as she really encouraged us to challenge ourselves as artists and not just technicians. It's always wonderful to take class with someone completely new as I find they notice totally different things to my daily teachers that allow me to develop in other areas too.
Each day, our timetable entails several different repertoire sessions including Meisner, Forsythe and Dawson. I particularly enjoyed the Meisner workshop taught by Ernst himself (Artistic Co-Ordinator and Choreographer at Dutch National Ballet's Junior Company) who is creating a piece for us for the final demonstration at the end of the two weeks. I'm excited to be a part of his collaborative process and to have an insight into how he works with dancers in the company.
19 July It's absolutely boiling hot here today - I think the top temperature was about 29 degrees! It's wonderful to have such lovely sunny weather, particularly for the muscles in class, but I need plenty of water. I woke up yesterday surprised at how my body wasn't aching too much, but then today it really hit me. Despite feeling so sore it really is a good thing as it shows that I'm working my body, and perhaps in new ways - being taught by different teachers means that I'm able to learn how to approach my work in other ways.
We had our second Dawson workshop today with Christiane Marchant, which I'm really enjoying; the technique encourages us to push our bodies past their limits, constantly pulling and lengthening it to its extremities. Having not seen any of his work before I've been inspired to do my own research, as I've loved the workshops so far.
21 July We've nearly finished our piece with Ernst Meisner now but it needs a lot of cleaning! It's interesting to watch him work and be a part of that creative process - of course technique is very important to him but he focuses on the dynamic and drive behind the movement (the counts aren't necessarily important to begin with, but it's the quality and the intention that makes his choreography so engaging to watch). Our Forsythe classes have been based largely on improvisation tasks so far, and as I haven't had very much experience in the area this was something that I found very challenging to begin with.
We've also started working on a solo from Forsythe's ‘The Second Detail’ - the improvisation tasks now make so much more sense as they link the energy, for example the fall of weight, that is needed to give the solo its unique quality. I think the next stage is to use the material of the solo in our improvisation tasks -
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this is what the dancer would've had to do live on stage in this piece. Forsythe sure knew how to challenge his dancers!
24 July I cannot believe that I'm already into the second week of the course - the weekend has just flown by in a blur! We had a shorter day on Saturday with just class and one repertoire session that meant that we had the rest of the weekend to explore this beautiful city - of course we had to do the very touristy canal tour. After all, what would Amsterdam be like without them?!
It was great to get back in the studios again today after our rest on Sunday. I just love how encouraging the teachers are - I know it's a Summer School and intended to be an enjoyable experience but I really feel that each of them wants you to improve and succeed. They really go beyond what's asked of them, staying late after classes have finished coaching us on further detail in their own free time. It's only when the Tannoy announces that the building will be locked in 15 minutes that we all realise that we do really need to get out!
26 July We had class with the Artistic Director of the Nationale Balletacademie, Jean-Yves Esquerre, today where we spent most of the class focusing on pointe work, which I really enjoyed. Sometimes, when we are given a correction, the way that the teacher explains it to you isn't always the best way for YOU to understand it, but the way that Jean-Yves defined these ideas just seemed to click with me. I can feel my legs working in new ways - I'm pretty sure I'll be aching quite a lot in the morning - but it just shows how different approaches to your work can change your whole aesthetic.
Our last class of the day was variations in which we've been working on solos from ‘Don Quixote’ and ‘Raymonda’. I have really enjoyed Olivier Wecxsteen's classes so far as he is constantly pushing us as though anything is possible - why not do multiple pirouettes? Why not try to do a triple 'lame duck'? This way a double or a triple pirouette just becomes easy and natural to us.
29 July Today was the final day of the course and I must say I am so sad that it's over. It's been such an amazing two weeks of training that has been made even more special by the people that I've been able to spend it with - there's been such a lovely atmosphere and I've created so many wonderful new friendships. I've been introduced to new ways of working which have enabled me to develop and improve in ways that wouldn't have been possible if it wasn't for the amazing faculty that I've been able to work with; I've become more confident bit by bit with the improvisation tasks that Amy Raymond has been giving us from day to day and I'm eager to continue to work in this area as you never know what choreographers today will ask of you. The insights that I've had into other choreographers, such as Meisner and Dawson, have also been invaluable and a wonderful way to explore different styles of moving and feeling - I can see how even the smallest of things like differences in dynamics between one choreographer and the next make such a huge difference to your own performance and projection. I think that it's obvious that I've loved my time here and how sad I am that it's over, but it has given me memories and experiences and knowledge that I hope to continue to implement in my training and treasure for a long time. I will miss Amsterdam and its beautiful scenery and canals but cannot wait to be back with my family again to relay my experience to them in person.
I cannot thank the London Ballet Circle enough for providing the funding that has made this experience possible for me. Chloe Jones”
Chloe clearly made a big impression while in Amsterdam as, at the end of the course, she was offered a place at The Dutch National Ballet Academy, which was totally unexpected. After much thought and consideration, she has decided to take up the offer and continue her training there. We wish her every success.
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Ballet Cymru Riverfront Summer School Photo of Harvey Littlefield, right, courtesy of Sian Trenberth
Harvey Littlefield, a student at the English National Ballet School, was awarded the LBC Stanley Hawkins Bursary, which commemorates the founder of the London Ballet Circle who was a proud Welshman. Here is Harvey’s report: “Normally the very first day of a summer
school is very nerve wracking but I
immediately felt welcomed into this friendly
course as all the pupils and teachers were
very accepting and supportive.
A day at this summer course consists of a
morning ballet class, pas de deux and
contemporary. I enjoyed the daily ballet
classes the most! They were packed with
interesting exercises and the teachers’
enthusiasm really made you invest in what you were doing. I love having a mixed class (boys and girls) as
at the English National Ballet School we have our classes separately, but during this course it was nice to
be in a class with the girls.
In the contemporary classes I felt that I picked up the combinations a lot quicker than I usually would and
the choreography also really challenged my body movement and how I worked with my partners. The
contemporary pas de deux is something that I thoroughly enjoyed and hope to revisit in the future; I will
continue to push myself this coming year in this style of dance I worked on in Wales.
Like the English National Ballet School there were people of many different nationalities also attending the
summer school and it was lovely to meet people from Spain and America.
During the course, I learnt a lot about confidence from our teacher Tim. Tim managed to bring out a
confidence in me that I didn't know I had, he helped me to strive in aspects of dancing whether it was an
arabesque or a pirouette and to see the positives in my ability, which gave me an insight of what I may be
able to achieve in the future. Going back to school in September I will be able to apply this to my training to
help me to improve further.
In pas de deux I had three lovely partners, Beth Meadway, Natalie Debono and Emma Black. Each of
these girls gave me a great experience in every pas de deux class and taught me very important skills that
I will take away with me. I thoroughly enjoyed learning the grand pas de deux from Corsaire, as it was a lot
of fun to learn. I had never learnt a full pas de deux from a ballet before so it was very exciting to do so and
I'm extremely happy to add this to my repertoire.
I enjoyed every class very much and have learnt a lot from the members of staff and all others enrolled in
the summer programme. It was wonderful to come and visit Wales and dance every day on the beautiful
stage, you do not get that opportunity very often so it was amazing to be offered the chance to take part in
something on such a large scale. I've loved working with students from different schools and countries and
even members of Ballet Cymru, I felt I could learn from them and all the different training methods they
have endured in their ballet schools. From this course, I've gained confidence in aspects of ballet that I
lacked before and I am very happy that I'm taking this away with me.
Thank you for sending and having me here it has been a lovely experience that I will hold with me. I would
especially like to thank Susan Dalgetty Ezra and Samira Saidi for giving me this opportunity to experience
dance in a different light and Amy Doughty and Patricia Vallis from Ballet Cymru who looked after me so
well. Harvey Littlefield”
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Our Chair, Susan Dalgetty Ezra, attended and reported back:
“I attended the Ballet Cymru summer school last week and was blown away by Harvey Littlefield, the Stanley Hawkins Bursary winner. While I was there, I met a lot of the other summer school attendees, including Isaac Bowry who was awarded the Sir Peter Wright Prize last year, 2016. He's a very talented dancer and a delightful young man. He said it hadn't been made clear to him just how this came about but he was thrilled to have been chosen. He was telling me how much the award meant to him and just how grateful he was. I told him that the members would love to know that and so he has sent me the following message. I know it's a year late but I can assure you that it is heartfelt.”
Message from Isaac Bowry “Receiving the Sir Peter Wright award from the London Ballet Circle was a blessing and a true honour as the prize money enabled me to attend many more auditions within the UK. I accepted my first professional contract with Ballet Theatre UK - Artistic Director Christopher Moore - and I made my debut performance as a professional ballet dancer starring as Romeo in ‘Romeo and Juliet’! Also, the money I received went towards my deposit and first months’ rent for my accommodation in Hinckley, which I wouldn't have been able to afford otherwise. My family has struggled to support me financially while training as a dancer. During my time at Elmhurst I worked three different jobs to pay my tuition fees and travel across Europe to audition. I honestly cannot thank the London Ballet Circle enough for considering me worthy of the Sir Peter Wright award, let alone awarding it to me. It has honestly given me the greatest start to my career! Isaac Bowry”
Photograph of Mara Galeazzi, left, courtesy of Jason Ashwood
Our Vice President Darius James’s company Ballet Cymru is presenting a new evening length work by Tim Podesta, Shadow Aspect, starring LBC friend, former Royal Ballet Principal, now Guest Artist, Mara Galeazzi. The premiere will be in Newport on 3 and 4 November followed by a performance at Sadler's Wells on Sunday 5 November. Ballet Cymru is committed to innovation in dance and classical ballet, and to the highest standard of collaboration with choreographers, designers, composers and musicians. Ballet Cymru is proud to be a collaborative company and the quality of its collaborations continue to exceed expectations. Awards & Nominations include Award: Best Large-Scale Dance Production 2016 at the Wales Theatre Awards 2017 Nomination: Best Independent Company 2016, Critics’ Circle National Dance Audience Awards 2017.
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Yorkshire Ballet Summer School Olivia Van Niekerk and Thomas Harden (both 18) and were the recipients of LBC’s YBSS scholarships this summer. The London Ballet Circle has a long and special bond with Yorkshire Ballet Summer School and so we were sorry to learn that Dr Marguerite Porter, MBE, has decided to step down as Director. We will miss her very much, as will YBSS, as she has given many talented students the opportunity to work with different teachers, improve their skills and make life-long friendships. They will never
forget her. It’s been a privilege for LBC to participate in some small way by providing scholarships and to go to York to support the dancers. Whatever she does next, we wish Marguerite great success. Other items of interest Ann McGuire Gala Sunday 3 September, 7.30 pm Leeds Grand Theatre Tickets £19.00 (RV) - £64* The Ann Maguire Gala is a unique opportunity to see a world-class line up of dancers, choreographers and musicians come together for a special performance in support of the Ann Maguire Arts Education Fund. This is the first time that this event has been held in Leeds. The evening will be hosted by Wayne Sleep and features divertissements from the classical repertoire including works by Frederick Ashton, Kenneth MacMillan, Liam Scarlett and Christopher Wheeldon and music by the Manchester Camerata Orchestra. There will be guest performances by artists from BalletBoyz, Northern Ballet dancing a duet from Jonathan Watkins award-winning ballet 1984 and Leeds Youth Opera. Royal Ballet Principal Steven McRae performs his knockout tap solo Czardas accompanied by violinist Vasko Vassilev. All monies raised from this Gala evening will go to the Ann Maguire Arts Education Fund. The fund was set up in May 2014 after Ann Maguire was tragically killed in her Leeds classroom. The fund has been set up by the Maguire family to continue Ann's life's work of inspiring and educating young people in Leeds. The fund provides bursaries and creates opportunities for young people to enhance their own development through arts education. Artists from The Royal Ballet appearing include: Sarah Lamb, Laura Morera, Edward Watson, Steven McRae, Ryoichi Hirano, Akane Takada, Alexander Campbell, Claire Calvert, Melissa Hamilton, Yuhui Choe, Ricardo Cervera, Beatriz Stix-Brunell, Itziar Mendizabal, Fumi Kaneko, Marcelino Sambé, Nicol Edmonds and Reece Clarke. Tickets from https://www.leedsgrandtheatre.com/online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=DF2FACEC-43CB-4AA4-9DD6-369BAC3E59D8&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::context_id=5B8EFB0B-E732-4139-818C-9A56CFD1669E
Invitation to visit Rambert School Open House Saturday 9 September, 10.30 to 3.30 pm Rambert School, Clifton Lodge, St. Margarets Drive, Twickenham, TW1 1QN Free to all
For one day only, the Rambert School will be open to the public to offer a sneak-peek into the inner workings of one of the UK’s oldest professional dance schools. There will be free taster classes in dance for children / young people aged 2.5 to 15 years and yoga for adults, shows and tours. For further info, please visit the website at https://www.rambertschool.org.uk/participation/open-house/
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Marcelo Gomes’s film The anatomy of a male ballet dancer Thursday 21 & Monday 25 September, various times Vue Cinema, Leicester Square Tickets from https://raindance.ticketsolve.com/shows/873578775 You may recall that we had a delightful evening with Marcelo Gomes in 2015 (if you missed it you can read the report here http://www.tlbc.org.uk/documents/Marcelo%20Gomes%202015.pdf) Currently in the prime of his career, Marcelo’s artistic ability matches his technical prowess. This documentary film captures this dynamic equilibrium with a mix of rehearsal, performance, interview and verité footage of Marcelo traveling the world as a guest artist in Asia, North and South America and Europe. Few films tackle the subject of the male dancer experience; what it is to be one, and what makes a great one. The film examines this theme by delving into a brief history of the male ballet dancer - focusing on a few key figures like Nijinsky, Nureyev and Baryshnikov. Marcelo is recognized as one of the best partners in the world and so the film also explores what separates a good partner from a truly great one. Marcelo is a dancer in transition. Despite his tremendous work ethic, he knows the career of a dancer is brief; and like all dancers, he worries about what he’ll do next. After two major surgeries, how much longer can he continue? With his reputation on the line, does he have the talent and drive to become a choreographer? These are also questions that are explored during the film.
Easyfundraising
Easyfundraising.org.uk is a great way to raise money for charities, schools, sports clubs, community groups, and other good causes just by shopping online. You don’t pay anything extra. So far it has raised over £16 million for causes throughout the UK. The London Ballet Circle has raised over £1,444 via Easyfundraising. This money has enabled us to send another two student dancers to a summer school – so our thanks to the members who have signed up. Why not help us raise even more? Amazon, Boots, Expedia, John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury and Tesco are among over 2000 stores that have teamed up with EasyFundRaising.org.uk so that every time you shop online the stores donate money to your favourite charity – and it costs you nothing! Register quickly and free of charge by:
1. Clicking on www.easyfundraising.org.uk
2. Selecting ‘Register as a user’
3. Clicking London Ballet Circle as the charity you wish to support, then each time you shop online log on to www.easyfundraising.org.uk and go from there in the usual way and up to 15% of what is spent will be donated by the retailer to The London Ballet Circle.
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Membership renewal – see final page
Yes, it is early, but as September often feels like the beginning of the year, when everything starts up again, it might be practical for you to deal with this small piece of business and get it out of the way.
Our membership year-end on 31 October and subscriptions are due for renewal on 1 November. The subscription is £12 (still £2.50 for anybody under 25). The subscription for new members joining after 1 July runs until 31 October of the following year.
Membership cards will be issued as at times it may be necessary to show them, such as at the AGM and other special events, so please send a stamped addressed envelope with your cheque and renewal form to Serena Martin, Hon. Membership Secretary, 144 Clarence Gate Gardens, Glentworth Street. London, NW1 6AN. Cards will not be issued without a stamped addressed envelope but unmailed cards will be available for collection at the AGM.
We very much hope that you will wish to continue your membership but if you have not renewed by 31 January 2018 we shall regretfully assume that you no longer wish to remain a member, but there will be reminders before that date.
The 2017 Committee of the London Ballet Circle is:
Susan Dalgetty Ezra, Chair, 020 7224 5594, [email protected] Audrey Allen, Visits, 020 8361 2872
Jo Blake, Co-opted member, 07867 855 355 Gary Clarke, Committee member, 07500 417 951 [email protected]
Esme Chandler, Talk Host, 020 8348 1571 Naomi Cockshutt, Website & Social Media Manager [email protected]
Susan Johnson, Honorary Treasurer and Talk Host, 07725 149482 Dr Sandra Kendall, Committee Member
Serena Martin, Honorary Membership Secretary, 020 7402 6799 Allison Potts, Newsletter Editor & Talk Host, 07870 116302
Tim Rooke, Venues Secretary, 020 8352 0492 Jean Wilde, Honorary Secretary, 01256 841713
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MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL FORM 2017-2018 Please also give a copy of this form to any friend who might like to join the London Ballet Circle
Name.............................................................................................................
Address.......................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................... Telephone.............................................. Date ..............................................
Email (please indicate if this is a change) ..............................................................................................
I WISH TO APPLY FOR/RENEW MY MEMBERSHIP OF THE LONDON BALLET CIRCLE Please tick as appropriate
I enclose a cheque made payable to The London Ballet Circle for £ (minimum £12 or £2.50 if under 25). I have paid the sum of £ (minimum £12 or £2.50 if under 25) through PayPal
http://tlbc.org.uk/membership.htm#join Unfortunately, due to the administrative charges that apply, LBC cannot take payments via credit cards. I confirm that I would like the LBC to send me its Newsletter and to contact me at other times regarding activities that are open to LBC members. Please indicate if this should be by:
Email - Please use email if possible. You’ll find out about events much quicker. Post – this option is slower and more expensive for the Charity to administer. I enclose a stamped addressed envelope to receive my membership card.
GIFT AID DECLARATION Please tick all that you wish to apply Please treat as gift aid donations all qualifying subscriptions and donations to The London Ballet Circle that I have made:
Today For the past 4 years In the future declaration until I notify you otherwise, as Gift Aid donations. I confirm that I have paid or will pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax for each year (6
April – 5 April) that is at least equal to the amount of tax that all the charities or Community Amateur Sports Clubs that I donate to will reclaim on my donations in the appropriate tax year. I understand that other taxes such as VAT and Council tax do not qualify. I understand the charity will reclaim 25p for each £1 that I give. Please notify us if you:
Want to cancel this declaration Change your name or home address No longer pay sufficient tax on your income and/or capital gains. If you pay Income Tax at the higher or additional rate and want to receive the additional tax relief due to
you, you must include all your Gift Aid donations on your Self-Assessment tax return or ask HM Revenue and Customs to adjust your tax code.
Please return the completed form together with a stamped addressed envelope to:
Serena Martin, Hon. Membership Secretary, London Ballet Circle 144 Clarence Gate Gardens Glentworth Street London NW1 6AN
The subscription for new members joining after 1 July runs until 31 October of the following year. Membership cards will be issued as at times it may be necessary to show them, such as at the AGM and other special events. Cards will not be issued without a stamped addressed envelope but un-mailed cards will be available for collection at the AGM.