I've just put up a page about
Bill Cooper's 'The Royal Ballet in House' book of photographs.

It's a splendid book with 200 pics covering RB's first 3 years back in the refurbished Opera House.

You can order the book from:
Oberon Books
Dance Books
Royal Opera House

But you can win a free copy, signed by Anthony Dowell, by entering our competition...

The Competition...
All you have to do is tell us, in 50 words or less, 'What makes the Royal Ballet so special'

And you tell us that by replaying to this posting. If you are registered for Postings just hit reply.
{if you are not registered with us, register here, login here and then reply}

The competition will run through April (& now May) and the winner will be announced in early MayJune. Feel free to enter as many times as you want. As usual the judges decision will be final!

Do have a go....

Would it help if we were to accept email entries - which we would post up anonymously in some way? Or are you all working furiously on your 50 words?! Email me if you have other ideas. This is a good book and signed by Anthony Dowell too...

Good provocative question, which should get the thread going.

Yes - if for no other reason (and there are many other reasons) than its crucial role in preserving, and passing on, key parts of the Diaghilev inheritance.

Of course they are! Other companies are special too - but they don't have books just now.

It is an open competition and hopefully that will bring out different perspectives on what special means.

RE email entries - if people want to then by all means email me - bruce@ballet.co.uk.I will put them up anonymously.

Who would have thought, so far away,
That the Company would leave its mark?
On my love of drama, history and dance,
Their influence shows most stark.

Anymore for anymore - we are talking £25 book signed by Anthony Dowell...

Well there is that...plus those great legs!

"Your ballet's best,
By any test -
The Royal most of all.
'Cos unlike tea,
It seems to me
She's magic for the soul!"

From the first RB video I watched (Winter Dreams) I was mesmerized. The passion, strength, faces of the dancers were captivating. It seemed as if they were living the story in dance instead of just dancing a pretend. Each movement was a clue to the inner soul of the character.

Some thoughts:

The answer for me is the company's heritage - but the question seems to ask for an answer in the present tense - which is manifestly absent these days.

The RB's heritage, the result of important and succession of major choeregraphers, is enormous. But that has stopped short.

In terms of dancers and performances - well in 23 years of looking at the company, that quality of specialness is absent.

It's only when I look at a company like San Francisco Ballet - for their energy and joy at performing - or Paul Taylor - for soul, that I see somethng special.

I don't think I said anything like this or implied it! The RB's specialness (or otehrwise) is nothing to do with a book.

This is a thread for those who want to enter a competition. If you feel you want to make specific points then start a thread the way you want to. Many however see RB as special and this is an opportunity for them to encapsulate some thoughts and win something.

Many thanks

from John...
For me it has to be the people involved in the continuing evolution - their vision, history, and commitment producing a wealth of repertoire and myriad wonderful performances. There is a tangible feeling of their heritage when I watch them perform.

From Louise...
The Royal Ballet is so special because it is a gem in this world. Whether you be an elegant old lady or a four year old boy, as soon as the ballet starts you're entranced, hooked by the ballet. This is because the Royal Ballet enchants, every time.