ENB plans to launch its brand new website imminently. ENB announces:

"A clean new look devised by the award-winning design agency plaetnewmedia will bring the Company even closer to its audience. The creative team at planetnewmedia has redesigned the site with clariy and ease of use as guiding principles, balancing against ths a strong yet simple message. On-line booking, photograph, venue details and casting information are all just a couple of mouse clicks away at
www.ballet.org.uk"

Stuart adds: For the time being the link above will take you to the existing website.

<small>[ 12-12-2002, 06:11: Message edited by: Stuart Sweeney ]</small>

The new website is now up and running! Use the link above.

An interesting site and perhaps the pop-up windows will help people to navigate around more easily.

However, all the design work that has gone into the site is currently compromised by the low resolution quality of many of the photographs. All of the principal dancers and about half of the Gallery images have haloes around them, which look unattractive. The site would improve significantly with attention to this in my view.

Any other thoughts?

<small>[ 10-14-2002, 10:52: Message edited by: Stuart Sweeney ]</small>

<img src="http://www.sadlerswells.com/whats_on/spring2003/images/side_enb.jpg" alt="" />

Tour de Force at Sadler's Wells

Following on from the superb triple bill at The Coliseum, English National Ballet bring a fascinating Mixed Bill to London in April. There are no details on their website yet, but here is an outline from their leaflet:

Dates: 8-12 April 2003

Programme:

"Trapeze" (world premiere)
chor. by Christopher Hampson
music by Serge Prokofiev

"Facing Viv"
chor. by Cathy Marston
music by John Adams

"Manoevre"
chor. by Patrick Lewis
music by Philip Feeney

New work by Wayne McGregor
little information yet, except that it is a solo for Agnes Oakes and Thomas Edur

Further details and booking arrangements from Sadler's Wells website

I've moved this story from another topic:

Ballet company opts for Grace
By Jason Deans for The Guardian

Former ITV controller of children's programmes Janie Grace has taken a new job as managing director of the English National Ballet.

Ms Grace was sacked by ITV in February after angering the network's main paymasters, Carlton and Granada, with criticism about her children's programming budget being cut.

In her new role, Ms Grace will work with the ENB's creative director and dancers.

She will start work next month and is contracted there until the end of the year.

The ENB is set to go on tour with its Sadler's Wells show, Tour De Force, and is also working on new versions of Cinderella and the Nutcracker.

click for more

A story we missed from a week ago:

Will Muscles from Brussels get his bird?
Tough-guy actor Jean-Claude Van Damme is being tipped for a star role in a screen version of Swan Lake. By Sam Parkhouse for The Observer


He made his name as an all-action screen hero, but now the Muscles from Brussels could be about to take on an altogether more challenging role. Jean-Claude Van Damme is being lined up to star in a film version of Swan Lake.
The heavyweight Belgian actor, whose credits include Bloodsport, Universal Soldier and Double Impact, is one of a number of box-office stars being tipped to take up non-dancing roles in a screen version of Tchaikovsky's classic ballet.

The English National Ballet film is aimed at introducing dance to a new audience by using the special effects team behind the Harry Potter films and Lord of the Rings.

click for more

Does anyone happen to know whether Jean-Claude is related to Maggie Van Damme, who for many years ran Charleston (West Virginia)Ballet after her husband Charles died?

Casting J-C Van Damme as von Rothbart could change the whole tone of the final battle between von Rothbart and the prince.

Yeah, I'm puttin' my money on Van Damme. That wimp Siegfried is gonna get his butt kicked!

Toba, Jean-Claude Van Damme was born in Belgium - not sure about Maggie Van Damme's background.

<small>[ 06 May 2003, 06:43 PM: Message edited by: Stuart Sweeney ]</small>

Maybe not, if we could bring Edward Villela (as he was in the famous photo from Prodigal Son) back to play Siegfried.

So, there is going to be a film version of Swan Lake with JC Van Damme playing the lead? Who is Odette? ( or better yet - who would make the perfect Odette foil for Van Oamme?) How about Buffy the Vampire Slayer!

Bodybuilder and former Ms. Olympia Rachel McLish (I read that she studied ballet).