balletyas

I quite agree that Naghdi is the safest pair of hands besides Nunez and that makes it so easy to watch her. And yes - she does ‘become’ her characters and I’m beginning to think that’s why her Odette tonight was on the chilly side - I think what we were seeing was someone who darent let herself show her feelings too much, in case it might all crumble, as indeed it does. In fact once she knew she was doomed I felt she let herself go completely and felt her utter resignation very strongly. It takes a great artist to be selective in what they show us.

I wonder if you’ve ever seen her Giselle? That, for me, was the moment I saw her vulnerability and I have seen that ever since although I think less so tonight…

Finally saw it tonight and other than a tiny slip in Act3 I actually thought Matty was superb tonight. His acting was consistent and committed and he was deeply responsive to the music. As was Yasmine who I thought was technically utterly sublime - and always in character. I wanted to love her odette as much as I did last run but I somehow felt her more as Odile, (dazzling, gorgeous,creamy) until Act 4 when I think she and Matty reached another level. They and the entire corps were just perfection. that balance in act 3 / wow - as Sim said she could’ve had a drink and maybe even a smoke, she held it so long. That and the incredible trembling Odette foot (what is that called?) will stay with me for a very long time. I do hate the constant stopping for applause which wrecks the moment for me - is this happening more here at the ROH or just in this production? so many more thoughts but ghastly train requires my attention… more anon

I don’t know how this happened but I wrote something about the applause after the big moment thing and it’s been attributed to Lindsey. I’m very sorry but I don’t know how to sort it out? Moderators?

I finally saw it tonight and other than a tiny slip in Act3 I actually thought Matty was superb tonight. His acting was consistent and committed and he was deeply responsive to the music. As was Yasmine who I thought was technically utterly sublime - and always in character. I wanted to love her odette as much as I did last run but I somehow felt her more as Odile, (dazzling, gorgeous,creamy) until Act 4 when I think she and Matty reached another level. They and the entire corps were just perfection. that balance in act 3 / wow - as Sim said she could’ve had a drink and maybe even a smoke, she held it so long. That and the incredible trembling Odette foot (what is that called?) will stay with me for a very long time. so any more thoughts but ghastly train requires my attention… more anon

Sadly can’t attend the General on Weds 20th at 11:30. I ticket available. DM me if interested. Row C, Seat 26 | Stalls Circle £9

Yes please I’d like to buy it from you. Please DM me your bank details and email address and then you can send me the ticket. Many thanks.

Not sure if I replied correctly to this - can you hold the ticket for 30 mins while u check something?

Could you hold this for me for half an hour while I check something?

Absolutely agree with you on this…

Ah yes I had to miss Yasmine’s Mary Vetsera for some reason and of course that would have been a good trial run for Manon - so glad she pulled it off. Rather wonderful seeing such a controlled and poised dancer throw the shackles off - my admiration of her grows with every performance. Quite agree re Dixon - i feel he could be a wonderful ardent DG but not sure he is physically strong enough yet but hopefully that will come in time..

I so agree with this/ it was exceptional in a way I can’t quite put my finger on - it would be interesting to see another cast just to see if it’s something in the staging that has changed or if it’s just down to these two particular dancers… maybe it’s both, who knows…but the humanity that they both brought to their roles took it to another level i think.. ..

I’ve written a great long screed about last night echoing and elaborating on all of the above but for some reason it didn’t post - I think I must’ve been interrupted and forgot to hit submit…so I’ll just say Bracewell was extraordinary - probably the best embodiment of ardour and pure love that I’ve seen at the ballet and Yasmine made an often unsympathetic character utterly sympathetic as she lurched from young love and sexual awakening through , luxuriating in her sudden wealth and power, to deep regret and loss oozing out of every pore. Both the ultimate RB dance actors whose technical perfection (those pdds, his solo, the air twists…) goes without saying… I had been worried that Yasmine was too naturally ladylike and innately ‘good girl’ (the perfect Giselle) to pull off the more ‘stereotypically ‘minxy’ aspects of Manon but she did it and humanised her to boot… a triumph that I hope we see reprised soon and filmed too I hope…. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 and ps when she was passed from man to man in act 2 -what do we call that? that was like the Arabian on steroids - utterly sexy yet somehow menacing - you could hear a pin drop in the audience…. Her poise and control was breathtaking.. ❤️ (and kudos to handsome Leo Dixon for his interesting rakish interpretation of a Gentleman while handling those hand overs with aplomb.… )

I’m so sorry I didn’t see you - I wasn’t sure if the table was the right one and time was tight - what a night! What a performance! I’ve always really loved Bracewell but this was extraordinary. So much to say about both of them but train hell is distracting me. Was it different from their debut in any way?

Ugh that sounds stressful…