Drinks at the Barre

Pouring your Pinot whilst pointing his feet is the wonderful Christopher Hampson.Former soloist with English National Ballet, international choreographer and the CEO & Artistic Director of Scottish Ballet. Grab yourself a drink & enjoy this week's episode with the intelligent, artistic, down-to-earth, funny & friendly man that is Christopher Hampson

It's hard - to give constructive criticism in an age of people getting offended very easily. You listeners have nothing to worry about, Auntie Denise is here to let you know that all you need to do, is be honest...... in a tactful manner.

Diving deeper into the horror & trauma that is auditions.Never fear, Damien Lee Stirk is back to hold your hand through it all.

Our first barretender of the season joins us from the other side of the globe. Soloist dancer & choreographer in resident with the Royal New Zealand Ballet and old friend of mine, Shaun James Kelly.

Just when you thought it was safe to invite Paul to your open class.

Welcome back everyone & welcome to season 3!! We hope you all had a great summer. Here is a nice episode to kick off the season and give you all the opportunity to get to know us a little bit better.

Time flies when you're having fun, and season 2 has flown by! Denise and Poppy are here for a final time this season, discussing and dissecting as only they can. Don't miss this final episode before a well deserved summer break!

Our final guest of the season has won the National Dance Award for Outstanding Male Performance twice and in 2018 he was made an MBE for his services in Dance and Charity. He is here to share is story and his passion for theatre. It is none other than Senior Repetiteur and Principal Character Artist with The Royal Ballet the incomparable Gary Avis.

This week the competition is on - Denise is going for gold and Paul is happy with a participation medal! Discussing everything about dance competitions - are they healthy? Are they helpful? We'll tell you...well, we will give you our opinion on them!

Back again for one week only is our first ever guest Barretender James Leece. He comes to us straight off the back of choreographing his first musical. Join us in catching up with a dear friend of the pod - come for the drinks and stay for all the gossip!!

Dancing for a living & being physical for a job is going to lead to aches and pains. So here is Doctor Denise and Podiatrist Poppy are here to help and advise! WARNING - Denise & Poppy do not have medical licenses

Everyone on your best behaviour please - Here comes the stage manager!!! We have mixed it all up this week and we are shining the spotlight on someone who is usually hiding backstage. A show is far more than just the people onstage - it is not a competition but the stage manager is probably the most important person of them all. So everyone be quiet in the wings and be ready on time for this weeks guest Troels Oxholm Thomsen.

Our school days are only so long, and teachers can only throw a certain amount of knowledge at their students. Luckily, all you listeners have Denise and Poppy to teach you and pass on all the advice that you didn't ask for or want! In this school session however, you are all allowed to bring drinks!

Pouring you all a lovely glass of South African Syrah is my wonderful friend Kathleen. Due to injury she was forced to retire at a very young age, and has gone on to have a great career outside the dance world. We wanted Kath to join us on the pod as we believe her story is very important to tell. Injury affects a lot of dancers and sadly does force quite a few people into an early retirement from dance, so it is a very important topic to disucss.

Sometimes we just need to talk. Luckily Poppy and Denise have a podcast to do it on! This week's episode shifts into a slightly more serious tone as we discuss some subjects that are not openly spoken about, but we feel are important to share.