Lisa O`Brien Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Following on from the favourite ballet or dance topic,I thought I would start one asking people what their least favourite ballet was. Mine is quite emphatically Sleeping Beauty. I don`t mind parts of it,but watching the whole thing is such a bore fest. It just goes on and on. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Peter Schaufuss' Diana The Princess, A Celebration is the absolute nadir for me. Closely followed by Morricone's Jekyll & Hyde I also loathed Macmillan's Prince of the Pagodas, although I only saw it once and, perhaps, I should give it another chance. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zxDaveM Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Pierrot Lunaire (and not just the wailing banshee music) 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trog Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 I agree with Lisa - I think the Beauty improves once the story is out of the way. For me, other bore-fests include anything by Ashton. (Go on, call me a heretic!) I also don't like that silly running about in pyjamas thing, which is known as "In the Upper Room". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuthE Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Couldn't agree more about Sleeping Beauty, Lisa! As I said only yesterday on another thread, I'm thinking of going to the Matthew Bourne one this weekend, as it's been recommended to me by somebody who knows how much I loathe the classical version... Leaving aside various brand-new turkeys I've seen recently (*cough*TETRACTYS) - because there are always going to be a few of those in order for the good new stuff to shine through and enter the rep - the other general dislike in my fairly limited experience is most of the Balanchine repertoire. Other than Symphony in C and some of Jewels, I just find most of it really wishy-washy and not to my taste. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 I agree with Lisa - I think the Beauty improves once the story is out of the way. For me, other bore-fests include anything by Ashton. (Go on, call me a heretic!) I also don't like that silly running about in pyjamas thing, which is known as "In the Upper Room". People can go off people you know Trog! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Pigeons Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 I also concur about Sleeping Beauty. It is far too long and often made worse by far too many far too young children in the audience who are bored out of their brains and start fidgeting or worse. Others on my list if worst ever Edward II Arthur (both parts) The original, full length Isadora Any ballet, be it one act or full length, which is danced to a 'specially commissioned score) where the choreographer runs out of valid ideas before the composer. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Pigeons Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Trog - I have no words for your comments about Ashton. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beryl H Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Untouchable is the worst I've seen for a long time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SusanR Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 I don't like Sleeping Beauty either! Although I loved Matthew Bourne's version. Susan 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAB Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Couldn't agree more about Sleeping Beauty, Lisa! As I said only yesterday on another thread, I'm thinking of going to the Matthew Bourne one this weekend, as it's been recommended to me by somebody who knows how much I loathe the classical version... Sleeping Beauty is totally dependent on the production and I can't think of a current one that emphasizes the magic connotations to the degree that transforms it from simply a series of classical steps. Do, do, go to see Matthew Bourne's version, his use of music is just inspired. I had a couple of reservations about the second half, but Bourne's imagination shows just what could be done with this ballet if only producers were a little braver. In my view this is Bourne's master work. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuthE Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 CURSES... The discount offer on Bargain Theatre on the Matthew Bourne seems to have closed. It's still showing as "available" at present, but when you click on a date it says there isn't anything left. Should have booked it yesterday but was waiting for a friend to confirm other social plans. My likelihood of seeing this has just significantly diminished... but thanks for the recommendation, MAB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balletfanp Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Totally with you on Sleeping Beauty - not even keen on the music...! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goodytutus Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 I rather like Ashley Page's version of Sleeping Beauty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indigo Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 From the ballets I've seen so far, my reaction has ranged from absolutely loving it, to amused bemusement or polite interest. With one exception: Le Corsaire. I've only seen it once & I became aware in Act I that it was making me feel incredibly angry. It just seemed to cross a line for me. Though as a number of posters have listed it in the favourite ballet thread, perhaps I should give it another chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quintus Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Mayerling. Shoot me now as I know it's many peoples favourite, but I just find it melodramatic and uninvolving.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aileen Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Sylvia (Ashton), but perhaps it was the cast, and Prince of the Pagodas (Bintley) - and I suspect that I wouldn't have liked the MacMillan version either. I've only seen Mayerling once and thought that it epitomised MacMillan's obsession with the seamy side of life. I wouldn't rush to see Jewels or In the Night again either. I like SB. The music and choreography are so varied and inventive but all the diverts have to be really well cast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melody Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 (edited) Duo Concertant. Didn't like the music, the dancing, or the setting. It always reminded me of a couple of people in their underwear doing physical contortions in an empty warehouse to the sound of cats being strangled. Edited March 24, 2016 by Melody 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Melody, I loved Duo Concertante when BRB did it a few years ago but your description of it has made me laugh out loud! Thank you! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxi4ballet Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Petrushka. It was the first ballet I saw (when I was about 6), and it gave me nightmares for weeks afterwards. I can't put my finger on it exactly but even now I still think it is rather creepy 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridiem Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 For me, other bore-fests include anything by Ashton. (Go on, call me a heretic!) Heretic!! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAB Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Judas Tree Different Drummer My Brother, My Sisters Isadora 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridiem Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Off the top of my head (since I don't want to dwell here too long): Rosalinda (London Festival Ballet as was) - frivolous and tedious The Judas Tree - sordid and obscure Different Drummer - just sordid Mark Morris's Romeo and Juliet (to my surprise and dismay) Matthew Bourne's The Nutcracker - no poetry (with that music!) Raven Girl And I LOVE Sleeping Beauty. It has an austere beauty all of its own. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coated Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Alice in Wonderland. Yawny McYawn with the exception of a few nice touches and Zen as queen of hearts. Mats Ek's R&J Most Fauns unless exceptionally cast. Really exceptionally. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa O`Brien Posted March 24, 2016 Author Share Posted March 24, 2016 Duo Concertant. Didn't like the music, the dancing, or the setting. It always reminded me of a couple of people in their underwear doing physical contortions in an empty warehouse to the sound of cats being strangled. Gosh,it sounds riveting.!!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nina G. Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Prince of the Pagodas: I deeply dislike it - and all those talented dancers having to act like monkeys, such a sad sight! Different Drummer Gloria Anything by Liam Scarlett, except his Asphodel Meadows. McGregor's Raven Girl and Life Fire Exercise Acosta's Carmen Wheeldon's Alice in Wonderland and Strapless 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fonty Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 This House Will Burn - the curtain coming down half way through and then going up again was very unkind to the audience, who were fervently hoping it was over. Les Sylphides as it was danced the last time RB staged it Song of the Earth - I find it pretentious and dull. Just about everything by McGregor, but especially Infra (I think my ear drums have not recovered from that onslaught of static or feedback or whatever it was that kept appearing) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cackles Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Nutcracker - although I love the music Most of McGregor's work 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tabitha Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 (edited) As Nina said and I agree - anything by Liam Scarlett Also anything by Wayne McGregor Bella Figura - gratuitous nudity masquerading as art. Oh and anything with comedy 'bad' ballet e.g. the ugly sisters in Cinderella. I don't pay to watch ballet done badly and I don't find it funny. Edited March 24, 2016 by tabitha 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinMM Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Still trying to think of a ballet I hate!! Quite a few just a bit indifferent to but often this is because of the music. Sleeping Beauty I've decided might be an age thing! I loved it when I was in my twenties and thirties and really love the music and have such happy memories of all the Fonteyn and Nureyev ones and the fun queuing when the market was still there etc etc ......this overall experience may colour the view of the actual ballet not so sure. These days however I just cannot stand still being in a theatre .....whatever it is after 10.30 .....because I spend a lot of the time worrying about the journey home if it gets too late so Sleeping Beauty becomes less appealing because it does go on so long. Perhaps all our attention spans have subtetly declined in recent years the way modern life is but think it's more likely an oldies thing (post 60 or thereabouts) I'm generally speaking not a great Balanchine fan but nothing of his I hate!! There must be something.........probably forgotten because I've obviously not seen it for so,many years!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melody Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Petrushka. It was the first ballet I saw (when I was about 6), and it gave me nightmares for weeks afterwards. I can't put my finger on it exactly but even now I still think it is rather creepy Clowns will do that... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinMM Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Well I love Petrushka because I had read so much about Fokine and his ballets before I finally saw it so it was special,for,me However if you were only six I can quite imagine how it gave you nightmares. It's not really a very happy or nice story and there is a weirdness and strangeness about it which may be okay to absorb if you are 20 but a bit unpalatable for a six year old!! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 I suspect that most of my candidates for LEAST favourite ballet are among the hundreds I've never yet seen, or have deliberately avoided. But of the ones I *have* seen, I've put most of them out of the easily-accessible part of my memory, I guess. Although Beyond Bach has unfortunately just floated to the surface ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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