Jan McNulty Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 And the press release: English National Ballet Nutcracker / Swan Lake / ManonLondon Coliseum13 December 2018 – 20 January 2019www.ballet.org.uk This Winter, English National Ballet presents three critically acclaimed productions, Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Manon, at the London Coliseum. The company today announces Principal Casting for performances of Nutcracker and Manon, and, an additional performance of Manon. Tamara Rojo, Artistic Director of English National Ballet said: “I’m thrilled that we’re able to give our London audiences as many chances as possible to see this wonderful production by putting on an additional performance. It's also a great opportunity for them to experience the remarkable talent shining across the whole Company, who have all really enjoyed bringing Manon to life." English National Ballet presents Manon, and also Swan Lake, at the London Coliseum in January 2019 following performances of both productions on tour in the UK this Autumn. Famous for its dramatic, challenging and expressive choreography, Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon features some of the most demanding and fulfilling roles in ballet. Manon is accompanied by Jules Massenet’s haunting music performed live by English National Ballet Philharmonic. English National Ballet’s hugely successful production of the timeless classic, Swan Lake, choreographed by Derek Deane with music performed live by the English National Ballet Philharmonic, will bring some of the most iconic scenes in ballet, and Tchaikovsky’s glorious score, to London audiences once again. Continuing its Christmas tradition of presenting a Nutcracker production every year since 1950, English National Ballet’s Nutcracker returns this festive season, following sold out performances in 2016 and 2017. Over 100 dancers and musicians bring to life the popular Tchaikovsky score featuring the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Waltz of the Flowers, performed live by English National Ballet Philharmonic. Principal Casting Nutcracker (in the order of Clara, Nephew, Nutcracker) Thursday 13 December Rina Kanehara, Jeffrey Cirio, Fernando Carratalá Coloma Friday 14 December (mat) Fernanda Oliveira, James Forbat, Daniel McCormick* Friday 14 December Erina Takahashi, Isaac Hernández, Aitor Arrieta Saturday 15 December (mat) Katja Khaniukova, Ken Saruhashi, Erik Woolhouse Saturday 15 December Shiori Kase, Francesco Gabriele Frola*, Fernando Carratalá Coloma Sunday 16 December (mat) Fernanda Oliveira, James Forbat, Daniel McCormick Tuesday 18 December (mat) Begoña Cao, Aitor Arrieta, Junor Souza Tuesday 18 December Alina Cojocaru, Francesco Gabriele Frola, James Forbat Wednesday 19 December (mat) Katja Khaniukova, Ken Saruhashi, Erik Woolhouse Wednesday 19 December Rina Kanehara, Jeffrey Cirio, Fernando Carratalá Coloma Thursday 20 December (mat) Begoña Cao, Aitor Arrieta, Junor Souza Thursday 20 December Shiori Kase, Francesco Gabriele Frola, Daniel McCormick Friday 21 December (mat) Francesca Velicu, Ken Saruhashi, Erik Woolhouse Friday 21 December Jurgita Dronina, Joseph Caley, Skyler Martin Saturday 22 December (mat) Erina Takahashi, Isaac Hernández, Aitor Arrieta Saturday 22 December Alina Cojocaru, Francesco Gabriele Frola, James Forbat Sunday 23 December (mat) Jurgita Dronina, Joseph Caley, Skyler Martin Wednesday 26 December (5pm) Shiori Kase, Francesco Gabriele Frola, Daniel McCormick Thursday 27 December Erina Takahashi, Isaac Hernández, Aitor Arrieta Friday 28 December Alina Cojocaru, Francesco Gabriele Frola, James Forbat Saturday 29 December (mat) Rina Kanehara, Jeffrey Cirio, Fernando Carratalá Coloma Saturday 29 December Jurgita Dronina, Joseph Caley, Skyler Martin Sunday 30 December (mat) Francesca Velicu, Ken Saruhashi, Erik Woolhouse Manon (in the order of Manon and Des Grieux) Wednesday 16 January Alina Cojocaru and Joseph Caley Thursday 17 January (mat) Jurgita Dronina and Isaac Hernández Thursday 17 January Begoña Cao and Aitor Arrieta Friday 18 January (mat) Emma Hawes and Rupert Pennefather Friday 18 January Erina Takahashi and Jeffrey Cirio Saturday 19 January (mat) Alison McWhinney and Francesco Gabriele Frola Saturday 19 January Jurgita Dronina and Isaac Hernández Sunday 20 January (mat) Alina Cojocaru and Joseph Caley *Debut in role Casting for Swan Lake to be announced in due course. Casting is subject to change. Please see www.ballet.org.uk for up-to-date casting. ENDS For further information about English National Ballet and to book tickets visit www.ballet.org.uk. Please note performance details are subject to change. Notes to Editors Alongside performances, English National Ballet will host a range of workshops and events throughout the Winter, aimed to provide a gateway into the world of ballet. Activities include on-stage workshops for all ages, Live Drawing, Family Events, and behind-the-scenes talks. For more details, see www.ballet.org.uk/whats-on/ Listings information for 2018 Winter Season: Nutcracker London Coliseum Thursday 13 December – Sunday 30 December 2018 Press night: Thursday 13 December, 7.30pm Box Office: 020 7845 9300 or www.ballet.org.uk/nutcracker Swan Lake London Coliseum Thursday 03 January – Sunday 13 January 2019 Press night: Thursday 03 January, 7.30pm Box Office: 020 7845 9300 or www.ballet.org.uk/swanlake Manon London Coliseum Wednesday 16 January – Sunday 20 January 2019 Press night: Wednesday 16 January, 7.30pm Box Office: 020 7845 9300 or www.ballet.org.uk/manon About English National Ballet English National Ballet has a long and distinguished history. Founded in 1950 as London Festival Ballet by the great English Dancers Alicia Markova and Anton Dolin, it has played a major role in the growth and history of ballet in the UK. Today, English National Ballet is renowned for taking world-class ballet to the widest possible audience through its national and international tour programme, offsite performances at festivals including Glastonbury and Latitude, its distinguished orchestra English National Ballet Philharmonic, and being a UK leader in creative learning and engagement practice and delivery, building innovative partnerships to deliver flagship programmes such as English National Ballet’s Dance for Parkinson’s. Under the artistic directorship of Tamara Rojo, English National Ballet has gained new acclaim as it introduces innovative new works to the Company’s repertoire while continuing to honour and reinvigorate traditional ballet. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beryl H Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 I've just booked 2 Manon's and got an automatic 15% discount, a good idea as many people miss out on these offers! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 31 minutes ago, Beryl H said: I've just booked 2 Manon's and got an automatic 15% discount, a good idea as many people miss out on these offers! I didn't realise you could get it for two of the same programme - that's great! (now, how many Manons can I fit in?) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Wall Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 (edited) Great to see Forbat will be back ... Is this the first time Ms. Rojo has not danced a single performance in The Nutcracker? Edited November 13, 2018 by Bruce Wall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coated Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 Rupert Pennefather in Manon? That came as quite the surprise to me and I feel a sudden urge to squish a matinee into my busy January. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 Why? He's already danced it on tour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coated Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 I clearly didn't look up the tour cast - hence a surprise to me 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 What a shame he only gets one London show, and it's a Friday matinee. That would make it difficult for some of us who work to take time off so soon after the Christmas holidays....😟 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 9 hours ago, Sim said: What a shame he only gets one London show, and it's a Friday matinee. That would make it difficult for some of us who work to take time off so soon after the Christmas holidays....😟 This Friday matinee is an extra show which wasn't in the schedule originally. It is on the same day as an RB double bill rehearsal with the RB's programme opening that same night. And ENB's midweek matinees start at 2.00pm. So..........Manon Acts 2 and 3 anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebird Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 (edited) 1 hour ago, capybara said: This Friday matinee is an extra show which wasn't in the schedule originally. It is on the same day as an RB double bill rehearsal with the RB's programme opening that same night. And ENB's midweek matinees start at 2.00pm. So..........Manon Acts 2 and 3 anyone? .... ....maybe even Manon Act 1 as well since the matinée that day doesn't start till 2.30pm! This would, of course, only work out if the double bill rehearsal were to last no more than two and three quarter hours (so as to allow enough time to reach the Coliseum before the start). Edited November 14, 2018 by Bluebird 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 Tamara Rojo is now dancing Clara/SPF at the matinees on the 14th and 16th December. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 Who's she replacing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 3 minutes ago, alison said: Who's she replacing? I think it's Fernanda Oliveira. Shame. I like her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 9 hours ago, alison said: Who's she replacing? I didn’t give the name because the original casting was set out above. It is indeed Fernanda Oliveira. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RHowarth Posted December 16, 2018 Share Posted December 16, 2018 I've just paid to switch my train tickets to London for Friday 17 Jan so I can make it in time for the matinee. My itinerary is Manon Friday afternoon, 2 Pigs bill Friday evening and 12 noon on Saturday followed by acts two and three of the Manon matinee (in a £10 seat) followed by Nine Night at Trafalgar Studios on Saturday night and then Manon on Sunday afternoon. Six (well, five and two-thirds) shows for two nights in a hotel is good going! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Douglas Allen Posted December 16, 2018 Share Posted December 16, 2018 33 minutes ago, RHowarth said: I've just paid to switch my train tickets to London for Friday 17 Jan so I can make it in time for the matinee. My itinerary is Manon Friday afternoon, 2 Pigs bill Friday evening and 12 noon on Saturday followed by acts two and three of the Manon matinee (in a £10 seat) followed by Nine Night at Trafalgar Studios on Saturday night and then Manon on Sunday afternoon. Six (well, five and two-thirds) shows for two nights in a hotel is good going! Take care! Thursday is the 17th. I'd hate to see such determination spoiled by a mix-up with tickets for trains and theatres. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RHowarth Posted December 16, 2018 Share Posted December 16, 2018 4 minutes ago, Douglas Allen said: Take care! Thursday is the 17th. I'd hate to see such determination spoiled by a mix-up with tickets for trains and theatres. Gosh you're right. Luckily my error was with my typing in my post rather than my booking! Thank you. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridiem Posted January 14, 2019 Share Posted January 14, 2019 Seen on Twitter: cast change for Manon - due to injury, Rupert Pennefather will be replaced by Francesco Gabriele Frola for Thursday's (18 Jan) matinee performance at the London Coliseum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted January 14, 2019 Share Posted January 14, 2019 Er - Pennefather was doing the Friday matinee, wasn't he? Sorry, that *is* the 18th. No news about Dronina or Caley, then ... fingers crossed! Disappointed not to see Pennefather, but I trust Frola will be good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridiem Posted January 14, 2019 Share Posted January 14, 2019 26 minutes ago, alison said: Er - Pennefather was doing the Friday matinee, wasn't he? Sorry, that *is* the 18th. No news about Dronina or Caley, then ... fingers crossed! Disappointed not to see Pennefather, but I trust Frola will be good. Yes - sorry, I just copied and pasted the tweet; but it should have said Friday (they've now corrected their original tweet). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted January 14, 2019 Share Posted January 14, 2019 It felt, at the time casting was announced, as if the Friday matinee had been added to accommodate a performance by Rupert Pennefather. It is such a shame for him that he is now injured. Gabriele Frola is nothing short of excellent as Des Grieux. I don't think that anyone will have cause to be disappointed. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loveclassics Posted January 14, 2019 Share Posted January 14, 2019 2 hours ago, bridiem said: Seen on Twitter: cast change for Manon - due to injury, Rupert Pennefather will be replaced by Francesco Gabriele Frola for Thursday's (18 Jan) matinee performance at the London Coliseum. Poor Rupert. I assumed his departure from the RB was due to injury and was delighted to see him scheduled to dance with ENB but the fates seem to have conspired against him again. Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penelopesimpson Posted January 14, 2019 Share Posted January 14, 2019 I have a ticket for Alina on Wednesday. Please tell me she is still dancing....? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saodan Posted January 14, 2019 Share Posted January 14, 2019 (edited) That's the fastest I have ever brought a ticket. I felt Emma Hawes gave a strong debut as Manon in Southampton, but was let down a little by a lack of chemistry with Pennefather. That should not be a problem with Frola! He and McWhinney were breathtaking and I have confidence that his partnership with Hawes will be particularly special. There are still a heap of tickets left for this date, definitely grab one if you can. Especially as the discount code posted on the special offers forum still works. Of course, best wishes to Pennefather. A real shame if these performances were meant to be his come back. Edited January 14, 2019 by Saodan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irmgard Posted January 14, 2019 Share Posted January 14, 2019 3 hours ago, alison said: Er - Pennefather was doing the Friday matinee, wasn't he? Sorry, that *is* the 18th. No news about Dronina or Caley, then ... fingers crossed! Disappointed not to see Pennefather, but I trust Frola will be good. As of today, Dronina should be dancing both her performances! Frola is a fantastic Des Grieux (see my previous post of his performance in Southampton) and I am looking forward to seeing him again with Alison McWhinney. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 If anyone is planning on catching the first night of Manon and hasn't yet booked, you should be aware that availability is low or non-existent, depending on the tier you want to occupy. Thursday night is pretty low, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penelopesimpson Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 Gives smug smile...! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard LH Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 There are still plenty of opportunites for buying Manon tickets overall, but much fewer if you want Cojocaru /Caley, or Cao/Arrieta. Apart from the Cojocaru /Caley final performance on Sunday, it seems a lot harder to sell tickets for the matinees. It is a pretty intense run for the corps, who don't get a break from 8 performances in 5 days. Does anyone think this may put too much strain and pressure on the dancers, or is it perfectly acceptable? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangorballetboy Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 5 minutes ago, Richard LH said: There are still plenty of opportunites for buying Manon tickets overall, but much fewer if you want Cojocaru /Caley, or Cao/Arrieta. Apart from the Cojocaru /Caley final performance on Sunday, it seems a lot harder to sell tickets for the matinees. It is a pretty intense run for the corps, who don't get a break from 8 performances in 5 days. Does anyone think this may put too much strain and pressure on the dancers, or is it perfectly acceptable? There's not really that much for the corps in Manon. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard LH Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 (edited) 14 minutes ago, bangorballetboy said: There's not really that much for the corps in Manon. Fair point. Edited January 15, 2019 by Richard LH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irmgard Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 34 minutes ago, bangorballetboy said: There's not really that much for the corps in Manon. Beggars, courtesans, dancing gentlemen, townsfolk, deported prostitutes - there may not be as much for the ladies as in "Swan Lake" but there is still plenty for them to dance! However, this extremely hard-working company is used to such an intense performance schedule. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawnstar Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 (edited) Now Emma Hawes is being replaced by Alison McWhinney on Friday matinee too. They seem to be having a spate of injuries! Request for advice: is Manon the sort of piece that can be seen twice in 3 days by a newcomer to it? I've never seen it before & booked ages ago to see Cojocaru/Caley on Sunday. I'm now going to be in London Friday evening to see the ROH Asphodel Meadows/Two Pigeons & due to an unexpectedly cancelled temp job could go down early & see what will now be McWhinney/Frola, who I see got very good comments for their tour performances. Edited January 15, 2019 by Dawnstar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irmgard Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 49 minutes ago, Dawnstar said: Now Emma Hawes is being replaced by Alison McWhinney on Friday matinee too. They seem to be having a spate of injuries! Request for advice: is Manon the sort of piece that can be seen twice in 3 days by a newcomer to it? I've never seen it before & booked ages ago to see Cojocaru/Caley on Sunday. I'm now going to be in London Friday evening to see the ROH Asphodel Meadows/Two Pigeons & due to an unexpectedly cancelled temp job could go down early & see what will now be McWhinney/Frola, who I see got very good comments for their tour performances. Absolutely! McWhinney and Frola are a stunning combination! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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