RB Problems News RB Problems Views Kumakawa sketch

The main issue, however, is: what is this new company about and does it represent the start of new ways forward or is it like the SDP, an idea that is fashionable for a while but goes nowhere?

In the worst analysis the new company could just be a vehicle for Kumakawa and his backers to make the most money they can from Teddy's undoubted popularity and the general popularity of UK dancers, particularly in Japan. One of the rumours has been that the five who are leaving the RB are going to be on 4 times more money. Well, for a few years that's fine money and if the repertoire, whatever it is, turns out not to be so great, then it's no particular difference for those involved. After all, the RB repertoire has hardly been devastating over the last few years, has it?

In this scenario, everything is kind of OK until Teddy, his public, or the backers get tired. But hopefully by then most of the dancers will have reached the end of their careers. And of course Teddy will have put on some exciting shows to wow audiences - if not perhaps inspire the more discerning dance lovers.

The other way forward is potentially much more exciting. It's about creating an international ballet company which can become one of the foremost in the world within a few years. To be a reality, the company will need effective artistic management in place, lots of money and access to good dancers. So no change there then - just what's always been needed of course!

The rumours are that the company will initially hire-in a Japanese corps when touring. I think this could be seriously good news. The Japanese seem to dance with a precision that most companies can but dream of, at least that is what I've seen on one video. But anybody who has seen ballet schools' end of year performances can't but fail to have noticed the number of Japanese students graduating and how good they generally are.

On the money side, while the Japanese economy is suffering, the country is still very rich by any standard and I gather that ballet audiences don't seem to have been overly affected. I'm convinced the money to back Kumakawa effectively is there, but to what use is it going to be put?

That's where it becomes crucially important as to who runs the company. It seems to me that Teddy is about dancing and not about organising and detail. Yes, he has organised some small tours of himself and RB dancers to Japan, but that's totally different from having a full-time company of some significance. In any event, these small tours have not always been particularly artistic successes and something more solid will need to be put on if fans are not to wander away.

Now, what's really needed is some proper artistic management, leaving Teddy as a big star in the company. But of course more stars and dancers will be needed if this is to be a serious long-term venture. A good artistic director with money will be able to secure the best choreographers and design etc and concentrate on creating a house style.

The home of the company is initially the UK. This probably needed to be the case to get the five dancers from the Royal on board and also to encourage other dancers to join sooner rather than later. It's also great if the company wants to make a serious mark in Europe and the UK. But it's not easy to have a Japanese corps! In the longer term, given Japanese backing, I can't believe that the company will remain particularly UK based.

There is an awful lot of guessing and speculation. In all probability the final reality is likely to come somewhere between a 'Kumakawa is amazing' vehicle and a serious attempt at starting a new and enduring company.

Hopefully before too long the new company will make some announcements and we can all speculate again!