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zxDaveM

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Everything posted by zxDaveM

  1. Well, to be fair, McGregor is the current resident choreographer, so you'd expect a lot of works from him (some of which I like a lot, some of which I do not) On a selfish note, I just wish the MacMillan overload included more of the pieces of his I like (such as the current Danses concertantes and Requiem, plus the likes of Gloria, Song of the Earth, Rite of Spring, Concerto). There are others I simply won't watch again - DD, The Invitation, Judas Tree
  2. Attended five very different evenings this last week (21st - 28th March). First up was a trip to Islington, and Kidd Pivot’s Assembly Hall at Sadlers Wells. Dancing whilst lip synching to spoken words almost a Crystal Pite speciality. The decision by committee ruthlessly exposed, and throw in some superb solos/duets, plus Crystal’s astonishing way of moving groups of dancers around the stage, added up to an intriguing evening (apart from a break for a technical hiccup, which broke the mood rather, just as things were getting properly weird!) Next was a slide down into the Linbury to see Sydney Dance Company, with their triple bill Ascent. Loved the short opening piece by AD Rafael Bonachela, the near continuous flow of the two couples of dancers was fascinating, as they filled the space, and veritably bounced off each other. Bonachela came on in the 10mins pause to charmingly introduce the company and thank all involved etc, whilst they changed the flooring/set for ‘The Shell, A Ghost, The Host & The Lyrebird’ (ch Marina Mascarell, plus her dancers). What we saw was as baffling as the title, with people swinging around on ropes, attached to torn flags/sails. I assume they were doing it right, as none were left marooned in the light rig above. Loved the score/forest soundscape (where the Lyrebird made its presence known) but apart from the odd solo, disliked this piece. After the interval (much needed to unscramble brainbox) came Anthony Hamilton’s Forever and Ever. The choreography was stunning and compelling, as the dancers stripped away layers (literally, in most cases, with costumes under costumes) with some couples ‘twinned’ in synchronicity for example - but the ‘music’ was just horrible. The opening solo to blissful silence (I came to relaise very shortly) seemed rather tagged on and as well as she danced it, I felt than an intro of 10-15 seconds would have sufficed. If I see it again, I will enjoy it even more with earplugs Perhaps the quiet highlight of the week for me was at The Place (near Euston) for Mark Bruce’s Frankenstein. After an appetiser of 6 short dances to Mark’s own music (grouped as 'Liberation Day') as a sort of intro to the six dancers (how lovely to some good contemporary dancing to actual music), came a short (50mins) retelling of the Frankenstein tale. Jonathan Goddard was at his most mesmeric as the Monster, though perhaps the star of the show was Guy Hoare’s lighting (despite a technical hiccup - am I a Jonah or something?) allowing maximum use of the space. Came away wishing I had at least one more ticket Wednesday was back to ROH for the MacMillan triple. Charmed by Dances concertante once again, stunned by Sarah Lamb in Requiem, sat out DD in the Floral Hall. (plenty already been said about this bill) Thursday was Sadlers Wells for ENB’s Carmen (ch Johan Inger). Minju Kang as Carmen looks like a star in the making, and surely won’t be a First Artist for long. Found the piece rather episodic, and not particularly emotional or passionate. The movable pillars that acted as scenery seemed more animated at times, than some of the choreography There were moments (mainly when Kang was on stage), but also an awful lot of rolling on the floor or walking about. And Francesca Velicu as ‘The Boy’ ?? The score wrapped around snippets of Bizet’s monumental tunes was well done I thought. Kept feeling there was a great work trying to get out, but it never quite made it. Enjoyable evening though, all told. This week was like recapturing my adventures when I first started to get into dance, when I went to almost everything I could. Sadly though, these days will now need a rest for 2-3 days! (Thank you Easter!)
  3. once they have enough followers (on say tik-tok) they are showered with products to 'influence' said followers to buy. And following such 'trend-makers' is the only explanation I can think of, as to why so many young women these days have inflated lips that make them look like they've taken a punch to the kisser, and have painted on mono-brows
  4. Just a thought - I can understand why they'd try and get newbies in to see Swan Lake (hence the marketing efforts) as I reckon that life-long fans are more likely to be acquired watching one of the big classics, than something like Different Drummer (think that's one for those who are die hard fans already!)
  5. Surely Odile has to be a bit swanlike, as part of the deception to convince hapless Siegfried she is in fact Odette (in disguise). She even mimics a few 'swan' steps of Odette's solo in act 2
  6. Can't see the RB dropping Onegin - the dancers would riot!
  7. I agree Richard, with pretty much all you say. I'd 'lose' those wee hats from Danses in a heartbeat! I won't be returning my tickets for other performances in the run though, as I have a good book on the go, and a comfy seat in the Floral Hall earmarked for me for the duration of DD. As I do have to see Requiem again!
  8. Danses Concertantes - charming, witty, a bit dated. Isabella Gasparini was wonderful Different Drummer - an occasional nod to his brilliant pdds; otherwise - ghastly! If I'd been told it lasted 2 hours I would have believed them Requiem - startlingly beautiful, emotionally evocative, and something I don't think I'd ever tire of watching. Had I been told it lasted 15mins, I would have believed them
  9. Thanks the the heads up - but Jack's alright, as I have nothing on the 8th April, and May the 4th (Star Wars Day) is Guineas Day at Newmarket, so I wouldn't have been going out anyway 🙂
  10. but nowadays everyone seems to have abandoned headphones, so the cacophony of different streams/videos/tunes/TV/movies would be maddening!
  11. probably too busy reading their screen to pay attention...
  12. nip into the shop on the way in, they sell programmes there - and have never minded when I've politely asked to glance at one (I *think* there may be a copy there for such purposes)
  13. they usually have the tech rehearsal in the afternoon, which can run from 1pm til nearly 7pm!
  14. Went to see 'Universe' Friday night. The projections weren't nearly as effective up in the side of the 2nd circle of Sadlers Wells, as they were from the circle of the Linbury. In the latter thy gave the impression of being 3-D, whereas from my Sad Wells viewpoint, they just looked like projections onto a front scrim, and often just hid the dancers, rather than creating a viewscape for them. So the big fish not so jaw dropping from my perspective. Hopefully, those lower down (in the higher priced seats) got a more rewarding experience. There was one section though, that became very effective from my viewpoint - during the cosmolgy phase (my label) the dancers could be seen above the hill with the telescope (its laser used for corrective optics clearly visible) as if they were 'dancing constellations' what with their sparkly onesies. Elsewhere, the 3-D, IR view of a wood/copse floated around and was also effective from my spot. The dancing itself (when visible - the gloom not helping when so far back) was super. The individual/duet/trios pieces were often spellbinding. I forgot to find my Linbury programme, and too tight to buy another on the night, so was a trifle bamboozled as to what was occurring quite often, but my feeling was that 'Mr Everyman' was going about thoughtlessly destroying the environment; the seas, the woods, deserts being created, and suchlike. Though I remember the ending being somewhat baffling, and last night didn't change my mind.
  15. There was a tiny patch I ran this morning to alter the last set of updates - perhaps that changed it, as I didn't have anything when I re-logged in just now
  16. zxDaveM

    Room 101

    Talking Room 101 - I will be in the audience for the recording of the R4 programme (hosted by Paul Merton) this coming Monday. Which will be fun
  17. I know it is a bit last minute, but is anyone looking for a (cheap) ticket for NYCB for this afternoon's sold out show? Can no longer go, so selling my L4 in the second circle; originally £15, but with discount, is £12. Happy to take £10. The view is ever so slightly restricted (hand rail over the very bottom right-hand corner) PM me if interested for exchane, and pop a note here to say you've done so
  18. Rob S's photos captured the end of the evening marvelously - see the Manon thread or the curtain call photos archive thread 🙂
  19. I'm afraid the James Blake music REALLY didn't do it for me - the only half passable tune was the sacriligious massacre of Joy Division's 'Atmosphere'. Hopefully by 4.30pm Ian Curtis can stop spinning in his grave
  20. It seems to me that all train companies and ministry departments, think that all rail journeys go via London
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