Beaker

Was that the 2012 one @alison? I think Nunez was also in it? It’s was truly sublime. I recall I was heavily pregnant at the time so hormonal and was completely stunned and reduced to tears at the end. I think it was also on with Las Hermanas wasn’t it?

I’m not sure if that is kind or not @OnePigeon! It was one of my first times at the ROH - but I recall even as a newbie I enjoyed Morera so went and looked at the programme to remember who she was.

I’m pretty sure I saw Morera dance DC with Kobborg in that triple as one of the casts @alison

@SwanLA65 - thank you from me too!

@capybara - thank- you this is what I was trying ( and failing!) to express. When the acting is truly at one/through the dance it is something so special. Watching it can make you feel as if you understand the character completely in that moment.

Quite possibly! I certainly wouldn’t like to end on it.

Thank you @alison - yes that was it! I wanted to see a number of casts for the other ballets so ended up seeing way too many A Different Drummer, I think it was the middle ballet as well. I may even have sat one out in the foyer as I couldn’t take another! I find it such an unsubtle and heavy handed ballet and that it tips over the line which many MacMillan ballets stray close to for me ( it’s treatment of Marie in particular). sorry totally off topic there! I see it’s the middle ballet in the Macmillan triple again!

As I mentioned previously I am coming back to ballet after a number of years. I ended up seeing this with Campbell/Hayward on both the Saturday and this Friday ( it quickly got its hooks into me!). One thing that really struck me as I said re swan lake is the depth and breadth of the whole company now. The corps, soloists are all dancing beautifully. It really feels like a world class company at the peak of its powers. I love Manon and always tend to book it for Des Grieux as much as ( if not more than) Manon. For me he is the emotional heart of the story, the one who changes the most. I also find his choreography one of the best examples of the steps themselves saying everything, when danced well the acting is truly through the dance. Others have said it way better than me but I found Alexander Campbell had such artistry in the role, so much depth and compassion. I actually particularly loved his Act 2, that he shows the frustration and anger at Manon who continues to want the riches - one of the tragedies of course being that Manon can never be the person he wants her to be, she does stay true to herself, and that moment after his outburst when he pulls her back apologising. I was really deeply moved by him ( and feel genuinely sad I missed the middle part of his dancing career!). For me Manon ( and Lesceut) are survivors in a difficult world. Manon knows that riches are the way to survive, I always tend to see her and her brother as a team, with disdain for those around them. I actually think in many ways her brother is her true love for much of the ballet and the person who fully knows her. I loved Hayward’s grief when he died, the way she ran to him when injured and reached out. To my mind his death and her descent into poverty are what breaks Manon - she has become what she always feared and fought against.

It is funny you should say this as I also felt this - it didn’t really matter in the bigger scheme of things but I’d have appreciated a quick curtain drop as it was quite jarring to come out of the ballet.

@Emeralds - I agree danses concertantes can be quite quirky and fun and I really like Requiem a lot when danced well ( and love the music), albeit it is somber. Have to say even as a huge MacMillan fan I don’t particularly like A Different Drummer, and find it a bit disturbing ( I think it was on a bill with a ballet I must have liked a lot some years ago as I recall seeing it more than once! And even Ed Watson and Leanne Benjamin couldn’t get me to see the value in it! Will keep my fingers crossed for a return of the Firebird at some point!

Thanks @Emeralds - NB R&J does sound like a good option, I’ve never seen it so helpful to hear it is well done. And May half term would work well. As he is so into drama he may very well prefer more of an ‘acting/clearer story’ ballet ( I mean thinking about it I actually do too for full length!) Also good point on pricing too - takes the pressure off a bit if he doesn’t like it.

What he particularly wants to see is a ballet to Stravinsky - in particular the Firebird - as he studied the music a bit at school and really loves it - which did surprise me! It has been a long time since I’ve seen it ( think it might even have been 2009 with Benjamin/Watson).

@OnePigeon - this is true that it could potentially end up very expensive!

Im impressed by your eldest @Fiz - my eldest has ADHD and don’t think he could sit through a ballet ( although Tbf he could a football match)

As a complete aside ballroom and Latin has been fab for a boy like him - lots of spangles and sparkles, but boys a rare commodity so much admired by all the girls! And some really great role models in the dance teachers - particularly the males. It is also incredibly complex with steps and everyone having their own individual version of each dance.