BristolBillyBob

Hi all. Long time no speak, hope you're all doing well. Just to add to the excellent-debuts-as-Juliet thread here, I am happy to report that Yaoqian Shang can be added to that list (assuming it was her debut, can anyone clarify?). I remarked after the show last night to my Ballet Buddy that it reminded me of the film version of Les Mis, where I spent every scene that didn't have Anne Hathaway in wishing that Anne Hathaway was in it, that's pretty much how I felt about Shang's performance yesterday. She lit up the stage whenever she was on, with musicality, technique and superb acting. Sounds like BRB have a wealth of female talent rocketing through the ranks, which is lovely to see. I usually like to focus on the positives, but I do confess to finding the show otherwise a touch flat yesterday. This might be me, though; R&J has never featured that highly on my ballet rankings, and I saw the superb Rambert2 the night before, who had such incredible energy and intensity that doing a spin class on ketamine to a soundtrack of industrial techno would feel like a Cup-a-Soup in a cardigan listening to The Archers in comparison, so perhaps I wasn't quite ready for the drop. 😄

Hi all, (and Happy New Year!) A heads-up for my fellow Nancy Osbaldeston fans*, she's choreographed and is dancing in a programme for Royal Ballet Flanders - who might actually be called Opera Ballet Vlaanderen now? - and it's on this Friday for the bargain price of €5. The link is here. Music and dance go happily together in this danced concert around the oeuvre of Astor Piazzolla. With Libertango the Argentinian composers created one of his great masterpiece. It's a symbol for Piazzolla's break with traditional tango music and the freedom his Tango Nuevo carries within. This innovating style is now emblematic of the Argentinian master, with all its influences from jazz and classical traditions. Tango, jazz, classical music…: all these elements and more inspired our British principal dancer Nancy Osbaldeston, who choreographed the music by Piazzolla . She, seven other dancers from the company and the musicians of the Ensemble Libertad breathe new live into the excuberant and deeply felt music of Piazzolla. Libertango guarantees a sparkling evening of virtuosity, passion and a hint of melancholy. Choreography Nancy Osbaldeston Ensemble Libertad: Violin: Ann Vancoillie Cello: Sigrid Vandenbogaerde Piano: Vincent Bruyninckx Bandoneon: Dick Van der Harst Dancers Opera Ballet Vlaanderen Brent Daneels, Lara Fransen, Mikio Kato, Gary Lecoutre, Philipe Lens, Ruka Nakagawa, Nancy Osbaldeston, James Waddell I'll be there, so if you're also attending, do wave! I'll be the one in the front row of the stalls with a glass of wine, their feet up on a coffee table, and a purring cat in their lap. * For the uninitiated, she's a principal at Royal Ballet Flanders, ex-ENB, and is basically completely amazing.

I've had a brutal journey up from Plymouth just to see this one show, so I'm tremendously excited! If anyone wants to say hello, I'm in a navy blue shirt, brown shoes, dark grey jeans and, crucially, a red polka dot mask. :)

What a lovely evening. A few technical gremlins meant I couldn't watch live or vote, but had a thoroughly enjoyable time all the same. Fantastic watching all the performances by superbly talented young dancers, but the winner was also the clear favourite in my living room, so congratulations to them (not mentioning names in case anyone is catching up on demand)! For me, though, the other big winner tonight was Stina Quagebeur. Hollow was simply mesmerising. For me it felt like the stunning offspring of her own Vera and Crystal Pite's 10 Duets on a Theme of Rescue, I was transfixed. I adore the way she choreographs a pas de deux, and was reminded of something @Two Pigeons said in a comment on a review I posted donkeys' years ago; 'Peter Schaufuss described a Bournonville pas de deux as a conversation between two people rather than an exercise in porteuring,' and that's precisely why I feel Stina Quagebeur nails them so effectively. I've largely avoided ballet this year to a certain extent, it would've made me too sad to miss it. This, though, was a lovely reintroduction. Fingers crossed BRB at Sadler's Wells can still go ahead, I'm more excited than ever for it now!

Me too! I'll see you there - I'm on the front row with you today. 😎

Having missed out on the Birmingham shows, I managed to snag a ticket to this, ninja style, for the Saturday evening. The phrase 'can't wait' seems woefully inadequate; I'll give even odds I'll shed a little tear when the curtain goes up. If anyone else is there for that performance, I'd love to say a socially distanced hello. 🙂

From Beth: Here's my first review as a novice ballet fan (courtesy of my boyfriend Alex (BristolBillyBob) who introduced me to this world a few years back) I've seen plenty of ballets now, but Alice's Adventures in Wonderland was one of my favourites (despite being on screen tonight rather than on the stage). I loved so many things about it: 1. The diversity and range of dance, moves, shapes and styles. It was a relief not just to see endless chorus scenes and pas de deux, but rather I felt I got to see the whole spectrum of what ballet has to offer. (Including a bit of tap from the Mad Hatter which was excellent!) 2. I loved Lauren Cuthbertson and Federico Bonelli and the way they danced together. It was like they were made for each other. They're both so effortless and light and fun in the way they move. Plus huge respect to Lauren who hardly stopped dancing throughout. She must have been absolutely knackered. Very well done! 3. The narrative was brilliant and came through so well in the dance. It was fast paced and interesting, clear and exciting. I felt that it portrayed Lewis Carol's novel so well. Also, what a great night, when we're all stuck at home, to get dressed up, drink some wine, watch some ballet and know that there are other people out there doing the same xx

Really glad you enjoyed it, me too! I have plans for next Saturday, believe it or not - more of a virtual club night though! - but perhaps another evening? Or, of course, you are all welcome to go ahead without me now I've set the ball rolling. 1984 next, but @Rob S has whetted my appetite for another Onegin - I do love the drama of that one..!

Well, Alice has completed her voyage into Wonderland for the evening, and what a lovely evening it was. Absolutely sublime performances by Lauren Cuthbertson (upon whom I think the role was created?), Laura Morera and Federico Bonelli. The third act, during which I was relieved to see Lauren got to have a break, has some terrific moments in it, not least the Queen of Hearts' shenanigans. In places I worry that the production occasionally takes precedence over the dancing, but in the sections where the dancing is allowed to shine free of stagecraft it absolutely shines. I'll save fuller comments for a time tomorrow when I've had less wine - it's jolly nice to just grab a top-up mid show! - but it's been really lovely to have a 'night out', and I hope you've enjoyed yours too! Let me know how your shows went!

Interval ice cream for me too! A simple vanilla with chocolate sauce. Alice's Adventures... is quite a show! What a demanding role the title character is; I think Lauren's on stage for almost every single minute, there's very little let-up. She absolutely owns every second, though. Incredible performance.

The most important thing is you have a lovely time. Have a great evening, Alison, and let us know how the ballet was if you get a minute later!

That is quite an all-star lineup! Enjoy!

Is that the equivalent of putting drinks on the safety rail?

Welcome! Did you decide on Mayerling in the end?