Scottish Ballet's new direction

Stuart Sweeney · **Posted:** Thu Sep 13, 2001 1:50 am

Here is a message about the missing postings om the Scottish Ballet forum from their Head of Press:***************************Dear Jane As you will see from the lobby part of the forum we have posted up a message saying that to keep the debate current, postings into the discussion forum would be left up for 24 hours and then removed. However, with hindsight this may stifle debate on the forum and so messages will now remain for a minimum of two days before being removed. If a message continues to be replied to and debate is ongoing on a particular subject then the message will remain on the forum.This is to avoid the site becoming clogged (and the forum crashing) and to keep the debate fresh. I hope this answers your questions.Nick Parr Head of Marketing and Press***************************Nick has told me that:- It is only in the past few weeks that the forum has been regularly used and some technical problems have now arisen. They are keen to get to the bottom of these problems. - There was no attempt to stifle debate.We wish Scottish Ballet well with their bulletin board which should be a valuable way of enabling their fans to make their views known. When the technical problems are overcome I hope they will be able to leave the messages up for a much longer or indefinite period to encourage debate.[This message has been edited by Stuart Sweeney (edited September 13, 2001).]

Stuart Sweeney · **Posted:** Sun Sep 16, 2001 2:36 am

The next round in the battle for Scottish Ballet. Remember that Robert North is scheduled to remain at the helm there for another year. So this battle of words could have a long way to go yet. Ballet chief defends leap into the newGILLIAN McCORMACK in Scotland on Sunday <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>THE chairman of Scottish Ballet has dismissed as "ridiculous" claims the company is repositioning itself as a contemporary dance group simply to make financial cutbacks. Duncan McGhie said the allegations by certain members of The Friends of Scottish Ballet were "terrible things to say". He added: "The board’s job is to fight for the company and to build upon the strong foundations we have. Scottish Ballet is a company which has always progressed. What we are doing now is no different from the past."<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> <A HREF="http://www.scotlandonsunday.com/news.cfm?id=SS01035942&keyword=ballet" TARGET=_blank>more...</A>*********************************Dance takes a leap in the dark The bloodletting at the top of Scottish Ballet is more reminiscent of a tragic opera. Dani Garavelli in The Sunday Times interviews Robert North and Sheri Cook. <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>"The administrators, bureaucrats and would-be dancers who think they know how a ballet company should be run have done a dirty deed," he says. "They consulted nobody about their decision to 'reposition' the company - not me, not the board, and worst of all not the general public whose taxes fund it. "And they acted with no regard to the dancers' feelings. The company had just returned from a successful tour in Portugal when they made the announcement. Everyone was in tears. Some of them said the pain was worse than when they lost their parents. "They were told change is exciting. But change is not exciting if you don't know whether you are going to have a job or not. And dancing is not like being a lawyer, you can't just get a job at another firm."<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> <A HREF="http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2001/09/16/stiecoeco02002.html" TARGET=_blank>more...</A>[This message has been edited by Stuart Sweeney (edited September 16, 2001).]

Stuart Sweeney · **Posted:** Sun Sep 16, 2001 2:25 pm

Things are getting interesting! The Martha Graham Dance Company performers set up their own website to communicate with their supporters and the Scottish Ballet dancers have now done the same.Here is the URL for the site, which is under construction. However, there is an Opinions page and a Forum already functioning. <A HREF="http://www.scottishballetdancers.com/" TARGET=_blank>http://www.scottishballetdancers.com/</A>

Stuart Sweeney · **Posted:** Sun Sep 16, 2001 11:35 pm

Fears for future of Scottish Balletby James Doherty in The Scotsman <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>TROUBLED Scottish Ballet could be forced to close for good if it pursues a radical change in direction, its outgoing artistic director said last night. Robert North’s claim comes as pressure mounts on the executive to launch an inquiry into Scottish Ballet and the Scottish Arts Council’s decision, which was taken last month, to reposition the company as a contemporary, rather than a classical, outfit. Mr North, who was informed that his contract would not be renewed next summer, also attacked critics who accused him of being bland and mediocre, as pandering to an elitist element within the Scottish dance establishment.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> <A HREF="http://www.thescotsman.co.uk/index.cfm?id=108648&keyword=ballet" TARGET=_blank>more...</A>

Stuart Sweeney · **Posted:** Tue Sep 18, 2001 9:50 pm

MSPs hold ballet inquiry <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>AN URGENT inquiry is to be held by a Scottish parliament committee into Scottish Ballet’s decision to move away from classical dance towards a contemporary style.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> <A HREF="http://www.thescotsman.co.uk/text_only.cfm?id=109054" TARGET=_blank>more...</A>

Stuart Sweeney · **Posted:** Wed Sep 19, 2001 12:12 pm

As discussed in the post above, here is the <A HREF="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/whats_happening/news-01/ced01-013.htm" TARGET=_blank>Press Release</A> giving details of the Scottish parliament committee into Scottish Ballet’s change of direction.They are clearly taking the matter very seriously.

Stuart Sweeney · **Posted:** Sun Sep 23, 2001 2:52 am

Strike threat at Scottish Balletby Phil Miller, Scottish Arts Correspondent of The Sunday Times SCOTTISH BALLET'S dancers have threatened strike action and launched an en pointe protest against plans to transform Scotland's national ballet into a modern dance company. The dancers, who last week established their own rebel website, are also angry at plans to sell their £500,000 Glasgow headquarters to help fund a £4m extension at the rehearsal rooms of their sister company, Scottish Opera. <A HREF="http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2001/09/23/stiscosco02002.html" TARGET=_blank>more...</A>************************************Swan Lake pirouettes out of Scottish Ballet's repertoireBy Juliette Garside Arts Correspondent of Sunday Herald. (A new paper to me. Thanks to Brendan on ballet.co.uk for finding it.) Scottish Ballet will never again perform the so-called 'white ballets' such as Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, its chief executive Chris Barron will tell MSPs on Tuesday. Along with Scottish Ballet's artistic director, Robert North, and representatives of the Scottish Arts Council, Barron has been called to give evidence to Holyrood's education, culture and sport committee this week. Convener Karen Gillon called the meeting during the furore that followed Barron's announcement that the company was to concentrate on contemporary dance and dispense with North when his contract expires.The chief executive will argue that the company has been unable to perform the classics since its troupe was cut from 45 to 36 four years ago, and that public perception has failed to catch up with the reality of what Scottish Ballet has become. <A HREF="http://www.sundayherald.com/18707" TARGET=_blank>more...</A>

Stuart Sweeney · **Posted:** Sun Sep 23, 2001 9:41 pm

Two articles on the SB crisis in The Scotsman today: Concern at ballet strike reportsby Catriona Watt in The Scotsman REPORTS that disaffected dancers are on the brink of strike action have caused deep concern among leading figures at Scottish Ballet. The national dance company was thrown into disarray when it announced controversial plans to change the emphasis of the company from classical to modern dance. Dancers have already set up their own website as a rival to the official one, claiming it fails to reflect their views. <A HREF="http://www.thescotsman.co.uk/text_only.cfm?id=110271" TARGET=_blank>more...</A>***************************************Let’s go to workby Kelly Apter in The Scotsman THE company may be in turmoil, but at Scottish Ballet’s rehearsal studios it’s business as usual. Piano keys pound as a female dancer lays still on the floor, while her male partner leaps on top in an exaggerated sexual manner. Passionate, energetic and very funny, this is Hans van Manen’s Sarcasms, one fourth of the Mixed Programme which opens at Glasgow’s Theatre Royal later this week. The acclaimed Dutch choreographer has also contributed his lively look at female seduction, In and Out, both of which balance nicely with Robert North’s Schubert-inspired Death and the Maiden and the macho pastiche, Troy Game. <A HREF="http://www.thescotsman.co.uk/text_only.cfm?id=110115" TARGET=_blank>more...</A>****************************And one in The Herald on the dancers' website:Dancers take their own steps in protestby KAY JARDINE in The Herald SCOTTISH Ballet's dancers have set up their own website to circumvent clauses in their contracts which ban them from communicating with the press.Ww.scottishballetdancers.com says the 36-strong troupe is trying to have its pictures removed from the company's official website because it does not feel that the views expressed there accurately reflect its own.It is angry at the decisions by Scottish Ballet to turn the company into a contemporary company, to find a replacement for Robert North, the artistic director, and generally to "change direction".<A HREF="http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/archive/24-9-19101-0-4-42.html" TARGET=_blank>more...</A>[This message has been edited by Stuart Sweeney (edited September 24, 2001).]

Joanne · **Posted:** Tue Sep 25, 2001 11:07 pm

Article in the Herald <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>POLITICIANS have accused Scottish Ballet management of theatrically plotting to get rid of Robert North, the company's artistic director.Members of parliament's education, culture and sport committee also accused executives of mismanagement during an inquiry into proposals to move the company from classic dance to a more contemporary repertoire <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><A HREF="http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/archive/26-9-19101-0-2-32.html" TARGET=_blank> MORE... </A>And a second article <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> Chairman no longer has Friends JIM McLEAN In an unprecedented day, with the ballet row discussed at the Scottish Arts Council and parliament, it emerged that Duncan McGhie, chairman of Scottish Ballet, has been asked to resign from his post as chairman of the Friends of Scottish Ballet.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><A HREF="http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/archive/26-9-19101-0-1-36.html" TARGET=_blank> MORE... </A>[This message has been edited by Joanne (edited September 26, 2001).]

Joanne · **Posted:** Thu Sep 27, 2001 12:09 am

Another article in The Herald <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Ballet injury fears over change of style JIM McLEAN Scottish Ballet dancers could face increased risk of serious injury under plans to switch from classical to contemporary dance, says a former head of the ballet. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><A HREF="http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/archive/27-9-19101-1-37-53.html" TARGET=_blank> MORE... </A>

Joanne · **Posted:** Thu Sep 27, 2001 11:46 pm

Article in today's Herald <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> THE embattled chief executive of Scottish Ballet has urged dancers to raise their game and appealed to both dance lovers and artists to trust him over plans to reform the national dance company.Rejecting calls for his resignation, Chris Barron said Scottish Ballet had become isolated and must act now to reshape the future of dance. He plans to develop a youth programme in the same way as top football teams nurture talent.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><A HREF="http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/archive/28-9-19101-0-35-22.html" TARGET=_blank> MORE... </A>

Stuart Sweeney · **Posted:** Fri Sep 28, 2001 3:14 am

Ballet head apologises for shock statement Susan Mansfield Arts Correspondent of The Scotsman reports: SCOTTISH Ballet chiefs apologised publicly yesterday for their handling of a controversial announcement about the company’s future. Duncan McGhie, the chairman of Scottish Ballet, and Christopher Barron, the chief executive, came under fire from MSPs for their "mismanagement" of the unveiling of a change in the future direction of the company. The parliament’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee announced an urgent parliamentary inquiry last week after protests by dancers and the public about plans to move towards more contemporary dance and less classical ballet. <A HREF="http://www.thescotsman.co.uk/index.cfm?id=110912&keyword=ballet" TARGET=_blank>more...</A>******************************Scottish ballet 'facing ruin' in elitism row Dancers claim move to drop classics will alienate audiences and slash takings BY GERARD SEENAN in The Guardian Like its fellow disciplines in the arts, the world of ballet is not unfamiliar with the concepts of slander and polite chicanery. But the animosity which has riven Scotland's national company yesterday threatened to descend into a barre room brawl. As Scottish Ballet's dancers called for the resignation of the company's chairman and chief executive, its artistic director, Robert North, claimed "monstrous egos" with "elitist views" were destroying dancers' careers and jeopardising the company's existence. The argument has erupted over plans by Scottish Ballet's board to ditch classics such as The Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake in favour of a contemporary repertoire. <A HREF="http://globalarchive.ft.com/globalarchive/article.html?id=010927009515&query=ballet" TARGET=_blank>more...</A> [This message has been edited by Stuart Sweeney (edited September 28, 2001).]

Stuart Sweeney · **Posted:** Sun Sep 30, 2001 10:15 pm

Ballet director attacks dance academy plan by John Staples in The Scotsman A plan by Scottish Ballet for a classical dance academy for teenagers would be like “asking footballers to play rugby”, its outgoing artistic director said yesterday.The Glasgow-based company announced earlier this year a controversial plan to change its direction and produce contemporary productions.However, in keeping with its intention of continuing traditional training, the company now says it hopes to open a college for the country’s school leavers which would teach classical ballet.But yesterday, artistic director Robert North claimed students who studied there would then leave and head for companies outside Scotland.<A HREF="http://www.thescotsman.co.uk/index.cfm?id=112582&keyword=ballet" TARGET=_blank>click for more...</A>

Stuart Sweeney · **Posted:** Sat Oct 06, 2001 11:06 pm

The Sunday Times reports that the MEPs of the education, culture and sport committee will be very critical of the Executive management at Scottish Ballet and question the wisdom of the merger with Scottish Opera. Their report is due to be published later this month. MSPs hit out over 'gutless' ballet bosses SENIOR Holyrood backbenchers are to challenge the controversial merger between Scotland's national opera and ballet companies, condemning their leadership as "gutless and spineless". Their intervention will be welcomed by Scottish Ballet's dancers and staff who have launched a website in protest at plans to switch from traditional ballet to modern dance. They are also angry at plans to sell off their Glasgow headquarters, and have threatened strike action. The dancers believe their company is being sacrificed in favour of the troubled Scottish Opera. <A HREF="http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2001/10/07/stiscosco02009.html" TARGET=_blank>click for more</A>************************************** Ballet chairman offers to quit key role Scottish Ballet's chairman has extended an olive branch to the national company's official fan club, Friends of Scottish Ballet, by indicating that he is prepared to resign as their chairman next Saturday. By Juliette Garside Arts Correspondent of The Sunday Herald Members of the Friends have been at loggerheads with Duncan McGhie and Scottish Ballet's board over their decision to part company with artistic director Robert North and their declared intention to move away from classical ballets. Traditionally the chair of the national company is also appointed chairman of the Friends, but some members are now questioning whether this should continue to be the case.McGhie said he hoped that the Friends of Scottish Ballet would be convinced of the need to support the company's new direction after Saturday's meeting. 'I will be asking the Friends to accept that change was inevitable, but that what the company needs right now is a period of stability.'<A HREF="http://www.sundayherald.com/19056" TARGET=_blank>click for more</A>Stuart adds: I suspect that Duncan McGhie will find himself at the centre of a fire-storm next Saturday.*************************************** A couple of letters in 'Scotland on Sunday' on ballet teaching in the context of the Scottish Ballet controversy. Billy Elliots already have ballet schools WITH reference to your article 'Ballet plans new school for Billy Elliots' (News, September 30). The proposal to extend the training of young dancers is commendable and much needed.It is a great pity, however, that the chief executive of Scottish Ballet, Christopher Barron, is so lacking in knowledge of the private dance scene in Scotland. <A HREF="http://www.scotlandonsunday.com/week.cfm?id=SS0dfdhdfhfhfhf&keyword=ballet" TARGET=_blank>click for more</A>

s4one · **Posted:** Sun Oct 07, 2001 1:58 am

<A HREF="http://www.article19.co.uk/northnews" TARGET=_blank>http://www.article19.co.uk/northnews</A> Regards


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Scottish Ballet's new direction

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