Royal Ballet School matinee - slightly fuller 'review' !

I have been somewhat remiss in writing here of late - mainly because much of my spare time has been taken up with helping with my mother's move - before during and after.

I have enjoyed that - apart from BT's abysmal lack of service which has meant my mamma's phone has still not been re-connected at the new property 19 days later!

Much, much more could and may still be written on that depressing subject, but I'll refrain for now and instead concentrate on the annual Royal Ballet School matinee which I mentioned in an earlier blog. I was happy and inspired to find a comment today on that blog from someone from the US whose friend is at the school! So, dear reader from the U S of A, this one's particularly for you! As I'm not a critic this will only be some impressions that I can recall about the pieces, but hopefully they may be of some interest anyway.

One of the pieces in the programme was 'The Dream' by (Sir) Frederic Ashton. It is based on Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', as you almost certainly already knew, and is a charming evocation on that tale set to Mendelsohn's score. It was beautifully danced by all concerned. I have seen it many times in the past danced by the Royal Ballet and this was a very impressive performance by the young students. The programme also included a splendid piece just for some male students - this was by (insert name) and I loved the way it displayed their athleticism and energy so well. It is the first time I can remember an all-male piece being in this end of year show and it was a brilliant idea. I will edit this post and add more details after I look at the programme to jog my memory, but in case anyone looks at this before I do so, I'll mention another strong memory of the show and publish for the moment anyway! Every year since Gailene Stock took over as head of the school, the very last piece of the annual matinee has been the 'Defile', a most exciting and tear-jerking piece which makes use of every member of the RBS, from the tiny dear Junior Associates to the fantastic 'final products'. I really defy anyone not to be moved by this, as - to incredibly rousing music by (insert name), swathe after swathe of dancers , starting from the JA's upwards, come on stage and do their piece - of ever-increasing difficulty as they move up the classes. I always cry, utterly overwhelmed, and this year was no exception! When I edit this piece, I will include what I can remember of the outgoing chairman's comments about the Defile. So to be continued.... Good night all, J x