RB reviews

The evning was a great success. I was one of those who acquired a 35 seat and saw perfectly. Alicia Markova was guest of honour, received an award from ther mayor of Cecchetti's home town and spoke at the end, remembering her lessons with the Maestro. Living history. Fantastic.

There were three parts:

1 Video footage of de Valois speaking to the Upper School about her lessons with Cecchetti and his use of ports de bras and epaulement, ther need to master these BEFORE learning the steps, the need for continuous movement and his use of space. Fascinating.

2. Students from the School and many RB dancers then performed Cecchetti movements and enchainements - Bussell, Bull, Cope, Saunders, Revie, Ciriaci, Mosley and two from BRB. Lovely, difficult and interesting as we could already see Ashton in those movements.

3. A series of excerpts from Ashton ballets to show the influence of Cecchetti on our greatest choreographer which were (not in order): Les Rendezvous: Tapper, Sasaki and Essakow (pas de trois_ Revie (girl's solo) The Dream: Luke Heydon (Bottom's solo) Birthday Offering: Bull, Saunders (lead pas de deux) Monotones II Bussell, Urlezaga, Burley (whole piece) Les Patineurs: Chloe Davies, Vanessa Palmer (red girls' duet) Swan Lake: Tattersall, Ciriaci(Neapolitan Dance) Ondine: Wildor, Cope (pas de deux - Act 1)

A total treat and well danced to boot ! Champagne flowed and flowed and flowed.