The Dance Hall 12: Boston Tea Dance Party

[thvu]

I know it’s just a show program but it appears they are going to stick with the Papadakis/Cizerone style rather than finding their own style. It doesn’t work for me as Laurence doesn’t have the fluidity.

And for me, Gabby was the emotional center of Papadakis & Cizeron. Fournier-Beaudry doesn't have that same ability to express deep emotion in a genuine way.

My first impression: "This is so paint by numbers."

 

[marbri]

A shame. I said when they first teamed up that they need to lean into what makes Laurence special and not let Guillaume dictate the style. I do wonder though if this is some of the program he choreographed for FB/S because the name sounds familiar. At any rate if Guillaume insists on skating his style in their competitive programs that will be a mistake. It was a style he developed with Gabby since they were children and will be impossible to transfer that to a new partner in this time frame. Laurence is dynamic and passionate, it´s Guillaume who should adjust his style and taste and tap into that if they want a crack at success this season.

 

[Spikefan]

Laurence is dynamic and passionate, it´s Guillaume who should adjust his style and taste and tap into that if they want a crack at success this season.

Agree. If they go her style she won’t be compared to Gabby. There is no worry for Guillaume to be compared to her former partner as he wasn’t in the same league.

 

[Wyliefan]

New team, new program, so I'm sure they know they have a lot to work on. But when they put together their competitive programs, they need to make sure she's not dangling from his arms quite so much.

 

[chameleonster]

If I remember correctly, this was the music FB/S were going to use for their FD last year, so FB/C might be keeping the program for themselves. If so, I think it would be a mistake. When P/C skated this kind of thing, it was perfectly fluid in their style because of their long partnership. When another team in which neither is Gabi or Guillaume skates this kind of program, they can make it their own with their own nuances and style that match each other(they don't always of course, but its a possibility). When only one party is Guillaume, the effect is...kind of jarring? He hasn't adapted his movement style to Laurence at all really, so it's just her doing her very best Gabi cosplay when she's not Gabi. The fluidity isn't entirelt there and they're clearly thinking through the program, which is normal for a new team, but means it's hard to create a spell. Rather than the two of them meeting in the middle to create something new together, it invites needless comparisons. I'm sure they'll improve with time, but I don't know that the "Where's Gabi?" feeling will ever go away if they continue in this style like this.

 

[thvu]

New team, new program, so I'm sure they know they have a lot to work on. But when they put together their competitive programs, they need to make sure she's not dangling from his arms quite so much.

 

[manhn]

I liked it. Better than robots, take five and Annie Lennox.

 

[chantilly]

I think it was fine. The camera angles were pretty far away from most of that program and I saw a lot of their backs. So I think it’s pretty hard to judge the emotional quality of the program.
I don’t agree that Laurence doesn’t have the fluidity. She doesn’t move like Gabi, sure, but I think she has more power than Gabi.
I do think the lifts looked very slow and not exactly laboured, but definitely not effortless.
I do agree however, that this feels like a program that Gabi and Guillaume would have done, which I also agree would be a mistake.
They should definitely lean into Laurence’s strength and power more and find a way to meet in the middle.
This is a show program however, and if it indeed was a program choreographed for FB/S or P/C then I think this program won’t necessarily be an adequate representation of what style this team will be doing.
I can imagine with all they have got to do as a new team, putting together a show program that is all theirs is pretty low on the priority list.

 

[coralline]

IMO Laurence Fournier Beaudry shines more in character-based programs, as Bonnie, Esmeralda, various Spanish dancers. Here in this program she just seems to be fading.

 

[NinjaTurtles]

It’s hard to fairly judge given it’s from a show and likely a small sheet of ice, but Guillaume’s stroking has seemingly regressed. Not sure if it’s lack of competitive training rust or the process of learning to match Laurence. Either way, I would expect it to improve quickly, but it’s off right now.

For sure he is going to need to work on building more upper body strength. And Laurence might even need to develop more core strength (is it even possible? ) to compensate for Guillaume’s weakness there if they’re going to effectively do such lifts.

 

[TwizzlerS]

This certainly made me appreciate Gabriela's skating

 

[nuge]

, but Guillaume’s stroking has seemingly regressed. Not sure if it’s lack of competitive training rust or the process of learning to match Laurence. Either way, I would expect it to improve quickly, but it’s off right now.

F

If this is the case imagine the Shibs they will be rusty

 

[marbri]

It’s hard to fairly judge given it’s from a show and likely a small sheet of ice, but Guillaume’s stroking has seemingly regressed. Not sure if it’s lack of competitive training rust or the process of learning to match Laurence. Either way, I would expect it to improve quickly, but it’s off right now.

For sure he is going to need to work on building more upper body strength. And Laurence might even need to develop more core strength (is it even possible? ) to compensate for Guillaume’s weakness there if they’re going to effectively do such lifts.

Lifts were a strength for FB/S. Not so much for P/C.... Guillaume is just average when it comes to this element so the problem lies with him.

This certainly made me appreciate Gabriela's skating

Which is so unfair to Laurence if Guillaume dictates this style for the competitive programs because she is a brilliant ice dancer, one of the best. I am going to say something controversial here and say for me Guillaume is the weak one in this partnership, he isn't very versatile. It would be very arrogant, and a huge mistake, for him to try to just replace Gabby with Laurence and skate the same style.

Hopefully their competitive programs will be very different.

If this is the case imagine the Shibs they will be rusty

I don't expect them to be as jarring considering they have skated together their whole lives. It should be easier for them.

 

[kwanfan1818]

He hasn't adapted his movement style to Laurence at all really, so it's just her doing her very best Gabi cosplay when she's not Gabi.

If we're waiting for Cizeron to change, we'll die waiting.

I do agree however, that this feels like a program that Gabi and Guillaume would have done, which I also agree would be a mistake.

If it was based on a program Cizeron choreographed for Fournier Beaudry and Sorensen, isn't that a problem right there?

 

[Karen-W]

Hmmmmm... It wasn't as bad as the negative comments would indicate. I do agree, they're going to suffer from comparison to PapCiz, but in the current ice dance field, going down the modern contemporary dance style that PapCiz developed & perfected will give them a lane that only really has LajLag in it right now. Those who love the modern contemporary dance style from the likes of PapCiz & HawBak will eat this up & call them the saviors of ice dance.

The lifts are not a highlight need to improve a LOT to be even in the realm of the top 7 teams in the world right now. Guillaume really isn't that strong with that element, is he?

We'll have to wait and see what their competitive programs look like, but, I feel very confident that ChoBat will have a very strong RD and if they go back to a more character-based style for the FD, they've got nothing to worry about from FBCiz. GilPoir's fate will depend entirely upon their material. Something like the Wuthering Heights FD and a solid RD will keep them ahead of FBCiz. Hate to say it, but I do still think bronze is FBCiz's to lose. FearGib and GuigFab can't out-character ChoBat & GilPoir. Going camp won't win an Olympic medal. FearGib can't out-modern contemporary either GuigFab or even FBCiz giving us warmed over PapCiz vibes. GuigFab may be able to scratch back for the podium in Milano-Cortina - their lifts are stronger than what we've seen here from FBCiz; but I still err on the side of FBCiz taking bronze simply because it's Guillaume and GuigFab will get the consolation prize of a TE bronze.

It doesn't surprise me that Guillaume would push for them to go in this direction. Remember the bland, modern ballet FD he gave LopBri for 23-24? Totally NOT their style at all, but certainly right in his choreographic wheelhouse. He's got a certain sensibility about ice dance that he imposes upon every team he works with, IMO.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

I don’t think the Shibs are going to be getting gold medals out of the gate, nor do I think that Laurence and Guillaume I mean theyve never even skater together before are going to be getting medals out of the gate.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

It would be very arrogant,

Sounds like he’d be right in his comfort zone zone, then

 

[angi]

I'm surprised people are surprised that Guillaume is dictating the style in the new partnership with Laurance. She is the stronger member of the partnership, and while she is a versatile performer and has amazing core strength that can allow them to do amazing lifts, he is very much not versatile and a weak lifter. There's a reason why most of P/C's SD/RDs weren't very successful or memorable, and when they were, like in their Fame or Tango RDs, it was Gabi who carried the load for the team. Assuming FB/C's team has a good strategy, they will build a RD that centers around Laurance and downplays Guillaume, and will give them a decent lyrical contemporary piece for the FD. Anything other than that will be a struggle given Guillaume's limitations.

 

[clairecloutier]

I must say this new take on Cizeron is interesting ... after so many years of hearing talk about how his skating skills and dancing were unparalleled, and Gabriella was supposedly not on his level!

Personally, I was always more invested in watching Gabi.

 

[skategal]

I must say this new take on Cizeron is interesting ... after so many years of hearing talk about how his skating skills and dancing were unparalleled, and Gabriella was supposedly not on his level!

Personally, I was always more invested in watching Gabi.

Same. I always felt Gabi was under-estimated and her talents under-utilized in the partnership.

 

[jägerbomb]

I must say this new take on Cizeron is interesting ... after so many years of hearing talk about how his skating skills and dancing were unparalleled, and Gabriella was supposedly not on his level!

Personally, I was always more invested in watching Gabi.

Agreed. Too bad it took Cizeron being an arrogant asshole for people to realize he has always been overrated.

 

[chantilly]

Where are all these opinions of Cizeron being an arrogant asshole coming from?
Is it his allegiance to Sorensen and his lack of support for Gabi when she went through her abortion?

 

[Ms Bumblebee]

Is there any chance to gain good points with reverse lifts? If anyone it's Laurence who could make it work.

 

[Bigbird]

Just where they would be at 6 months. They are working their way back. Let's talk a year in after we see their actual programs. Excited to see them and the Shibsibs back. It was getting so hohum.

 

[VGThuy]

Honestly, I rather watch Cizeron perform than most of the routines we’ve been seeing these past 3 seasons. Although I was one of those who felt it was Gabi who drew me into the programs, I knew it was with Guillaume that allowed that to happen because the deceptively effortless glide, ice coverage, and style of movement just made them easy to watch. I don’t know if Gabi would have been as effective without Guillaume and I know the same can be asked about him without Gabi. We will see how he is with Laurence this coming season.

Any insider info on the Shibs? A part of me still doesn’t believe it despite the GP assignments and Massimo’s IG stories.

 

[Belsornia]

Looks like one less team will be booking a flight to Beijing: Katarina DelCamp and Berk Akalin are moving on to show skating (his retirement post, learning adagio tricks).

Irmak Yucel and Danil Pak are age eligible for seniors so Türkiye may still have a team, but I think they'd be advised to stay in juniors for at least one more season.

 

[Dobre]

Where are all these opinions of Cizeron being an arrogant asshole coming from?

I haven't read/seen all of the commentary from Papadakis, so I can't speak to further reasoning for the "asshole" part. (Which isn't to say that the abortion story isn't enough of a reason; but I do get the feeling fans have read more).

As for the arrogance, I mean, he did ask for this. You show up for a press conference, announce a brand new partnership, and tell everyone that it's Olympic gold or nothing.

Well, that is arrogance. (It would be arrogance even if it came from a reigning Olympic gold medal team that had been together for a decade). And then you can expect anything you do and anything you release to get picked apart in comparison to an Olympic gold medal worthy dance team. We have months--months--of off season for people to do nothing but speculate.

Humility is not a bad thing, even when you are at the top; much less when you have done nothing.


ETA: I was thinking this was a continuation of another conversation, but I see it's not so for perspective, I'll add that my own reaction to this conversation, which I posted elsewhere, was the following:

"Yowzers, folks.

Between the previous angst in the U.S. ice dance thread and the current angst in the Dance Hall, people are going to start to convince themselves that we should be pleasantly surprised if three-time World medalists and 50% Olympic gold medal dance teams bring in the senior world minimums."

 

[kwanfan1818]

Maybe he wouldn't have bothered if he didn't think he had a chance at gold. Why would he give up a paying job to pay to be trained and go through the full nine yards of elite training to participate? He's already been in multiple Olympics. I doubt he's looking to complete the Olympic medal set. He would be the Dmitriev of Ice Dance were he to pull this off.

Or is he just not supposed to say it out loud? I don't think that this is where his arrogance lies.

It's the French Fed that are acting like asshats, IMO.

 

[jägerbomb]

I do agree dance has been very boring and stagnant this period, but I'm mostly blaming the judges and politics for that. Places 6-15 at Worlds had far more variety, interest, and creativity in their programs than the top 5.

As for Cizeron, his perceived lack of support for Papadakis after her abortion, balls-to-the-wall support for Sorensen, and his self-centeredness cinch the "asshole" title for me. YMMV, of course. He's obviously very talented, but good lord, I'd rather root for Chock/Bates than Fournier Beaudy/Cizeron. And that is saying something as I generally find Chock/Bates to be amongst the all-time most overrated dance couples in the history of the sport, like in Chait and Grushina territory.

 

[jägerbomb]

Honestly, I rather watch Cizeron perform than most of the routines we’ve been seeing these past 3 seasons. Although I was one of those who felt it was Gabi who drew me into the programs, I knew it was with Guillaume that allowed that to happen because the deceptively effortless glide, ice coverage, and style of movement just made them easy to watch. I don’t know if Gabi would have been as effective without Guillaume and I know the same can be asked about him without Gabi. We will see how he is with Laurence this coming season.

Any insider info on the Shibs? A part of me still doesn’t believe it despite the GP assignments and Massimo’s IG stories.

I think it's fair to say the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. I have not been impressed with the choreography of Papadakis or Cizeron this quad. Let's see if FB/C can prove me wrong this season.