Shade

I think this is a fine cast for the cinema performance. It must have been difficult to choose though as there are so many fine casts! I would love to see one of each but can’t unfortunately.

Interesting reading your post Sim - I wasn’t moved at all in Act 2

My first viewing of Swan Lake in this run and very enjoyable it was too. Good performance from all I think. It’s a shame that with all the current fabulous male principals at RB there is so little for Siegfried to do - a waste in my opinion. Yes agree that balance was terrific. For me though I think Odile took the honours- very exciting Act 3. Perhaps I find Odette too passive - waiting for her true love to come. In contrast Odile goes out to get him, even though she is playing with him and doesn’t want him, just wants to prove that she can get him. I find this current production Act 4 an anticlimax after Act 3.

Oh I will see Cinders with my husband this time so do hope it’s on again.

Oh that reminds me of the time that I bought a Stilton cheese as a Christmas present for a friend. Came from the shop in Covent Garden and had a very strong smell. My friend had to take it with her on the train from King’s Cross. I expect she had plenty of empty seats around her!

Thanks Janet that provides more choice for dates if people are away at the end of august.

Thanks replied

Hi Silke I am interested in this ticket. regards shade

Thanks Emerald for that additional explanation. I still think the ballet was very bleak.

Yes the Dream has lovely music- one reason that my husband will attend with me. husband chooses to attend for selected performances only, avoiding the challenge of the MacMillan triple bill for example. But it hate the blonde wigs!

First time that I have seen these productions- but I had read up on them in the Jann Parry book Different Drummer. Concertantes was fun, reminded me of Balanchine’s Rubies. MYbe because of the jazzy Stravinsky score but also the snappy moves in the choreography and off balance turns etc. great cast and dancing. Head dresses awful - yes Teletubbies - not the association I expect RB was after! Different Drummer was shocking. The destruction of a soul in front of us by social alienation, abuse by persons in authority, betrayal. Mr Avis was more evil in this than Manon - hard to believe. Great performances by all. Mr Clarke surprised me an anguished performance and Marie suited Osipova so well. I didn’t see any redemption in this at all - unremitting torture. Requiem - a masterpiece and very appropriate in Easter week I thought . Very moving and Wonderful dancing.

Thanks Amelia I thoroughly enjoyed watching Shakirova - she is such a joyful dancer. Congratulations to her

Thank you to everyone who has posted their thoughts on this run of Manon, particularly on the different casts. What a triumph for the RB this run is. We are very fortunate. I too was moved to tears at the end of the Saturday matinee

Before commenting further on the matinée performance I took the time to read the relevant entry in the Jan Parry biography of MacMillan, very interesting. When Manon and des Grieux are sitting on the chairs peering at each other there is a parallel with R&J. I agree the earlier comment re the connection between Manon and her brother. They discuss - what? He promises her riches and she agrees I thought. So Osipova knows what she wants at that point. Mr Campbell and Ms Magri were terrific in their roles as brother and Mistress. However, I don’t find the drunk scene funny - was he drinking to forget what he had done? As for Mr Avis as GM, He brought his latest plaything to the brothel and proceeded to continually paw her. Very Fifty Shades. Made my flesh crawl. I would say evil. Osipova was torn between riches and love, which way would she go? She loved des Grieux but the wealth was so tempting. Of course there is only one end for a ‘girl gone bad’ and it is shocking and tragic. The tale is highly relevant to our own times - very scarily so unfortunately. Great art and artists are however, thought provoking.

Thanks Sim I didn’t know that