alison

Okay, ticket has been returned to the box office.

I'm assuming "Oregon" should read "Onegin"?!

I've been rapidly coming to the conclusion that that's no longer the case The problem with standing after a performance at the ROH, at least in Stalls Circle and the Balcony, is that due to the lack of rake it totally blocks the view of those who are already standing, i.e. those who have standing tickets rather than seated ones, and who therefore can't do anything about it. And - applying it to the Orchestra Stalls as well - not everyone is able, or inclined (i.e. not wanting to give a standing ovation), to stand up as well, so just have to sit there surrounded by loads of standing people at close quarters, which can actually be very unpleasant. It's not a problem of ROH etiquette as such - it also applies to places like Sadler's Wells, although without the added problem of standing tickets, and probably anywhere which has insufficiently raked stalls.

It's been mentioned on here quite a few times in recent weeks, but I don't think we have a specific thread on it, so here goes: The Paris Opera (Ballet) streaming service (POP) appears to offer paid-for and free live and recorded streams of their productions, masterclasses and rehearsals, both ballet and opera (and the School, too). The options appear to be pay-per-view, or € 99 for a year's subscription (half that if you're under 28). Seems like a bargain if you want to see something other than UK output. https://play.operadeparis.fr/en

Note the later-than-usual starting time.

I was going to say I wondered why, since Carmen appeared to be largely sold out. Then I scrolled down the page to what I presume is a second cast, and understood why they might be.

I really don't think that 3 paltry performances can be regarded as saturation of any kind ☹️

At least the London Ballet Circle's event with the RB's Isabella Gasparini this Monday is online, so shouldn't be affected.

That's a surprise. Do we know what this next chapter is?

That's what I wondered, but it wasn't clear to me.

I've realised that since I'm intending to go and watch this in the cinema I don't actually need my ticket for the above performance. It's end seat amphi E34. If anyone's interested, please send me a PM. In my opinion, Requiem always looks better from on high

I'm sorry to miss Cojocaru, but the consolation is that I can at least get to see Yu Kurihara now. I shall very much look forward to seeing how she's developed in the role since her already-excellent debut performances. If it wasn't for the fact that I don't think I can face late nights three days running I'd be hugely tempted to go and see Mizutani too, because she had to withdraw from her scheduled performance in Birmingham when I went.

Ah yes, the loincloths. I have a feeling they're less close to individual skin-colour than in previous runs. Anyone else think so? And the other thing I've been meaning to ask: I keep looking for a bit in Different Drummer where Woyzeck is hearing the Freemasons hammering underground, but haven't spotted it as yet. Was I imagining it was there?

I've never been sure whether the auditorium is actually symmetrical - I get the impression that the pillars aren't in exactly the same place on both sides, but I may be wrong.

I've moved the reactions to this announcement to the thread in News, here:

I've moved a lot of posts relating to Cojocaru's withdrawal from several other threads to this one. Consequently, the order may seem a bit strange.

I've moved most of the threads relating to the change to Sleeping Beauty casting to a more appropriate thread, here:

And there can be a chilly draught in the amphitheatre at times, so a jumper may sometimes be necessary.

A very useful post from Dawnstar elsewhere: Disappointed to find this is the same on the left-hand side too. As you know when I sat there (right-hand side) recently, Dawnstar, I was very disappointed with the view compared with the photo.

I know Avanti get a lot of stick on here, but I've just had an email from them. They've introduced the new Superfare ticket (prices shown are London-Birmingham): Bag a Superfare We'll match you to an empty seat, so you get a bargain Superfare ticket from as little as £9**. Book at least 7 days in advance and up to 21 days before you travel. They also have a Price Promise: Price Promise‡ Get a refund if you find a cheaper ticket at a later date I'm assuming both of these are new, since I've never seen them mentioned before. Obviously neither will help if they don't run their advertised trains, though.

What a shame. I must have been behind you somewhere, then. Either way, I'll put it down to the dingy lighting, but I was still struggling to read the dancers' faces in Different Drummer. I think there were probably quite a lot of newbies at last night's performance, but the audience gave everything a rousing reception anyway, which is good, especially if it convinces them that there's more to ballet worth seeing than just the "big name" full-evening works. And Different Drummer seems to be going down surprisingly well this time around. Perhaps tastes have changed.

Okay, I suppose someone might be interested in this: https://www.whatsonstage.com/shows/inner-london-theatre/giselle-remix_364307786/ Although I must admit that its "instant sell-out premiere at the Royal Opera House" had totally passed me by. Giselle: Remix From Wed 10 until Sat 27 April Hot off an instant sell-out premiere at the Royal Opera House, Giselle: Remix is an anarchic, punk reimagining of the classic ballet. Special Offer: 20% off full price tickets (excluding 10, 12 and 20 April) with code: GISELLE20 In this queer retelling, Giselle is a hopeless romantic raised on a diet of 90s rom-coms, who comes to realise that the real world of hook-ups and heartbreak is a far cry from Hollywood’s happily-ever-after. A mixture of live performance art meets warehouse cabaret meets pop concert extravaganza. It’s Giselle like you’ve never seen it before. See the trailer below: Just announced! Queer cabaret icons Kit Green, Jonny Woo and Lavinia Co-op will join the cast as guest performers, alternating appearances across the three-week run. From the minds of Pleasance associate artist and former Roundhouse resident artist, Jack Sears and Royal Ballet soloist, Hannah Grennell, created in collaboration with dancers from the Royal Ballet. Book tickets now for 10 - 27 April at the Pleasance Theatre, Islington. BUY TICKETS

Friday Rush a total disaster today - don't know what was happening. Asked for the seating map - got a blank screen. Every time I tried to do a Refresh on the seating, I got landed in the Checkout. Go back a couple of steps - blank screen. Refresh. Checkout. Back to the Swan Lake page and go in again. Blank screen. Refresh. Checkout. Rinse and repeat. Just tried with the 14th. Same thing. Oh well, there was that nice-sounding concert I could go to tomorrow instead ...