Rudolf Nureyev: Dance to Freedom, BBC 2, 19 Dec

[Stanley Stewart]

This programme will be shown on BBC 2, 20.50-22.20 hrs, Sat, 19 Dec, and the documentary covers Nureyev's defection to the West in 1961, using a combination of testimony, dramatisations and archive footage for re-creations of his dancing roles. His stage presence was electric, superbly complemented by Margot Fonteyn to the point of perfection.

Recorder already set.

[Lat-Literal]

This programme will be shown on BBC 2, 20.50-22.20 hrs, Sat, 19 Dec, and the documentary covers Nureyev's defection to the West in 1961, using a combination of testimony, dramatisations and archive footage for re-creations of his dancing roles. His stage presence was electric, superbly complemented by Margot Fonteyn to the point of perfection.

Recorder already set.

I did not see that programme this time last year but have now seen "Darcey Bussell - Looking For Margot", knowing hardly anything about ballet - that's dance rather than the music - or Fonteyn. A fascinating account of an extraordinary life very nicely presented. Her role in an attempted Panamanian revolution was just like something out of a novel.

Highly recommended:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0868lnk/darcey-bussell-looking-for-margot

[Richard Tarleton]

Mary Chambers is our in-house ballet buff - interesting to have her thoughts and reminiscences...

I saw Fonteyn and Nureyev in Sleeping Beauty in 1972....the gasp of horror before curtain-up when ROH flunkey came on stage....to reassure us they would be dancing, before proceeding to some minor cast-change.