Wow, it’s been quite a while hasn’t it? You’ve got a bunch of teenagers in the house now, that must be fun. No, no, you’re right I don’t seem to age at all do I? Anyway back to you, so teaching at the Castle School now. Exciting. What would you say your greatest joy as a teacher has been thus far? Any student in particular that stands out?
Amalphia: I’m actually just a counsellor at the school when I’m not busy elsewhere – if I can help one person avoid dark dungeons and mad scientists, that will bring me great joy. I’m also acting in an advisory capacity during the televised competition that’s taking place at the castle at the moment. All the students are fantastic, of course, and I don’t have favourites. Though, I know Ariel and Alexander are up to something. I just hope it’s nothing too terrible… But you know what’s going to happen now.
The Nutcracker mice of the English National Ballet
I think the video speaks for itself. English National Ballet’s production of the Nutcracker returns to the Mayflowr Theare, Southampton this winter season 2023-2024.
The 8 1/2 Overly Pretentious Questions for Ailish Sinclair : The Eighth Question
What Ho, Wee Subscribers and welcome to the final Pretentious Question for Ailish Sinclair. Remember to check out the other questions on the wee Blog if you haven’t already.
So, Ailish, now that the first instalment of your Dancer Series is out where all good books are sold, can you give us a little hint on what’s next for Amalphia Treadwell?
Yes. I didn’t leave the poor girl in peace for long. Here is the blurb of Cabriole, the next book in the series, out November 24th:
How hard can a career on the stage be, anyway?
After a traumatic year at the castle, Amalphia Treadwell travels back to London to start her professional life, putting dark and difficult things firmly behind her. Or so she believes.
As she tries different approaches to work, in search of her true vocation, Amalphia encounters new pain and a deeper dark than that of the dungeon.
She wrestles with the complicated nature of her own heart and suspects that ‘happily ever after’ is something she can never hope to achieve.
As dark and witty as its predecessor, the second instalment of Amalphia’s journey is a sensual story of love, dance and self-discovery.
Remember Sign up to the Wee Mailing Listing to hear the final question on December 31st.
Question 3 – For Fouetté Amalphia
Hello, well things have certainly taken off for you – new film out, married…with one, two, four kids – strange, that one doesn’t really look like you – and one more on the way. Tell me, because my readers would really like to know – yes I have real readers now – what’s new in the life of Amalphia Treadwell?
Amalphia: What’s new? Well, yes, this baby. And yes, the father is my best friend Justin. It’s not a secret. There’s also going to be a new Steampunk ballet at Christmas. A few of us are in that. Then there’s my growing family, as you noted. My deepening relationships… *A dreamy look passes across Amalphia’s face, and then she glares at the Wee Lassie* Do you see that chocolate cake out there in the garden?
Wee Lassie looks out the, still open, door.
Amalphia: Go closer, that’s it, right out the door.
Well here we go again, wish me luck. Remember to sign up to the Wee Mailing List to hear the last question I managed to ask Amalphia Treadwell.
Question 2 – For Cabriole Amalphia
Hello again, it’s me I’m back – I’m with a real newspaper this time. So how do you feel about doing a follow up interview…great…that’s great.
(One soft ball interview later to lull her into a false sense of security)
So, we’ve all seen the photos of you and Will Hearst, would it be fair to call him the new man in your life? Tell me how does he differ, if at all, from your former lover Aleksandr Zolotov?
Amalphia: Oh, you want to know about Will’s new company? That’s great.It’s great. I have LOTS of info to give you.
Wee Lassie: No, actually, I—
Amalphia: There’s these promo leaflets, and these photos, and this is the tour schedule… *Amalphia looks momentarily horrified before continuing* Come and see us soon. I’m sure you’ll love it.
Hello wee readers, I hope you’re having a very happy holiday season. I know I am, because the final book of Ailish Sinclair’s Dancer Series, Fouetté, is out today. I knew I wanted to do something to celebrate that but I was slightly stumped as to what. If you will recall for the first book in her Dancer Series, Tendu, I released 8 1/2 Overly pretentious Questions for Ailish Sinclair. For her second book, the highly saucy Cabriole, I did the short blog series Ailish Sinclair’s Top Favourite Ballet Dancers of all time. But the question remained, what would I do for the new book?
I was pondering this exact question while speed reading through my brand new copy of Fouetté, and then very interesting thought occurred to me. In my previous blogs and or blog series I’ve always asked Ailish the questions, we’ll, obviously she’s the writer she would know. But wouldn’t it be interesting to ask the characters; now I’m not insane I know they’re not real people.
That’s why I’ve built my very own dimension jumping machine. I’ll just hop on in, pop on over to Amalphia Tredwell’s place of residence and ask her a question or two, I’m thinking four. And since the machine can also jump through time I’ll ask each question in four different stages of her life. What? Why are you looking at me like that, I’m not insane. I have a note from my doctor, even saying as much. Best not ask why I needed it in the first place.
Question 1 -For Tendu Amalphia.
Don’t scream, I’m from the local newspaper; your roommate let me in. I’m here to ask you a few questions. Cool? Cool.
Amalphia: No, not cool, actually.
(Several standered stock Questions later)
So, latest gossip has you linked to Aleksandr Zolotov, would you care to comment on that? What would you describe as the nature of your relationship?
Amalphia: What? How do you know about that? Nobody’s supposed to know about that. Not that there’s anything to know. And don’t go believing all that rubbish about Aleks on the internet. He’s a good man. You know… an amazing teacher. That’s how I know him, and that’s what our relationship is. But I’m going to have to ask you to leave now. You shouldn’t be in here anyway.
Amalphia closes the door over the Wee Lassie, but the following is overheard:
Amalphia: Justin, did you let that person in?”
Justin: Yes, Phi, I did. You’ll need to get used to being hounded by the press. We all know you’re going to be a star, darling…”
Remember to sign up to the Wee Mailing List before the End of the month to find out Ailish’s top Ballet Dancer of all time.
Denis Matvienko in The Great Gatsby.
Born in Ukraine, studied at Kiev state choreographic school, and made his first stage appearance at the National opera and ballet theatre of Ukraine. ince March 2001 to March 2002 worked at Mariinsky Theatre (St. Petersburg) as the leading ballet-dancer.
Remember to sign up for the Wee Mailing List by the end of the month to discover Ailish’s top Ballet Dancer of All Time, until then sit back and enjoy her fifth choice.
Alessia Lugoboni of Lazy Dancer Tips.
Born in Verona, Italy and trained at New Zealand School of Dance and English National Ballet School. She offers ballet tutorials for all levels. It’s great fun; give it a try!
What Ho Wee Readers, and welcome to the first post in my new blog series Ailish Sinclair’s Top Six Ballet Dancers of All time – I know it’s a bit of a mouthful but that’s the name I settled on so you’re just gonna have to lump it. Made in collaboration once again with my good friend Ailish Sinclair, to celebrate the next book in her Dancer Series, Cabriole. It’s out today, go check it out. Also siign up for The Wee Mailing List to find out Ailish’s top most Ballet dancer of all time.
Amanda Schull, Ethan Stiefel and Sascha Radetsky in Center Stage
Amanda Schull – American, a actress and former professional ballet dancer. You may know her from her work on One Tree Hill and Pretty Little Liars, as well as her recurring role on the show Suits. But her most memorable role, at least to Ailish, is Jody Sawyer struggling ballet student in the film Centre Stage. Also fun fact, she is also the daughter of the current president of Ballet Hawaii, not really relevant to this post but interesting none the less.
Ethan Stiefel – American, a ballet dancer, director and choreographer and former principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre and former artistic director of the royal New Zealand Ballet. Also his surname means boot in German, which isn’t relevant to anything but I thought was really interesting.
Sascha Radetsky – Another American, trained in the Moscow’s Bolshoi Academy under Pyotr Pestov. He performed as a soloist with American Ballet Theatre, and a principal with Dutch National Ballet. As of 2018 the Artistic Director for American Ballet Theatre. He also appeared on the show Flesh and Bone as someone called Ross.
The Wee Writing Lassie 