David

I may be wrong but I get the impression that it is the Royal Opera that is being most hard-hit by the new ticket marketing strategies. There seem to be  a considerable number of unsold tickets for Traviata, Pique Dame and Cosi fan Tutte - surely more than one would expect in this stage in the Winter Season booking process?  Or are people finally tiring of all these European Regietheater Directors as I did under the stewardship of Kasper Holten - tho that doesn't explain Richard Eyre's long proven Traviata?

1 hour ago, Angela said:

It's chest, not breast, isn't it? 🙄

https://www.quora.com/Whats-the-difference-between-chest-and-breast

1 hour ago, Stevie said:

 From what I have seen of BCU, it should be a good production. I have their Carmina Burana on DVD and it is excellent, they are a good company. 

You've tipped me - order placed! I was just waiting to be convinced. And I'll check out their Carmina Burana. Thanks again.

Thank you Stevie. As you say the Ashton Collection is just another Opus Arte re-packaging of previously released material and like you I already have it all. The Nutcracker trailer is attractive (thnx)  but doesn't really tell us a great deal and I'm still in two minds.  I have so many Nutcrackers on my shelves and I'm reluctant to lash out on another version unless I know it's exceptional. And I'm already committed to releases of the RB's Woolf Works and  the new Swan Lake next year, to say nothing of some very attractive opera and concert disks. Decisions, decisions! I do so need to win the lottery!  

9 minutes ago, Pas de Quatre said:

I It was common knowledge that it would be easy to join the audience as they returned.

And during the first interval at the proms!!!!

7 minutes ago, Stevie said:

 a 'Nutcracker' from Ballet Company of Ukraine on 11/01/19

 

 

I don't know anything about the BCU Nutcracker and haven't been able to find any reviews. Can anyone help please. Is is worth a punt?

I think people are being very unkind about the ROH’s new leisure facility. It is really nice to have somewhere to go and eat one’s sandwiches and watch the better-off who are able to get tickets pass in and out of the auditorium. And so good to see the return of free public conveniences!

Sadly the men and women sleeping rough down the road along the Strand have not cottoned on as yet to this wonderful new facility on their doorstep. I asked one man why he had not visited. He said that he would not be welcome but happily I was able to reassure him. That would be elitist I told him and we all know that the ROH is never that.     

I'm assuming the reasons for the delay will be either financial or technical. I suspect the latter - I didn't notice it so much in the cinema but the TV relay was quite dark in places and I'm wondering if they are having difficulties in creating an adequate copy?

My memory is that it was originally slated for release last Sept so it is very overdue but I continue to hope that it will surface eventually.

Have just seen that The Little Mermaid with the Czech National Ballet is listed for release on 6th July 2018 on the Euroarts label.

According to the blurb: “This new ballet production of Czech National Ballet, based on the famous fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen is, delivered by the National Theatre Orchestra, choreographed by Jan Kodet and directed by the acclaimed SKUTR tandem (Martin Kukučka and Lukáš Trpišovský) - who won numerous awards, including the Grand Prix and the Audience Prize at the FIST international festival in Belgrade – with a new composition by Czech contemporary composer Zbyněk Matějů.”.

 I don't know how this compares with other versions and I haven't been able to find any reviews so would be grateful for any comments/advice. 

First  Night of the run -  Single ticket in the middle of Row K in the Front Stalls - Face Value £28.92

ANYONE INTERESTED? PM ME AN OFFER!

These tickets are no longer available.

Press Night - 3 Centre Stalls tickets - E20-22 - Cojocaru & Caley - Face Value £64.70 each

ANYONE INTERESTED? MAKE ME AN OFFER!

Birmingham Hippodrome - 20th June - Excellent Stalls Seat (K24).

Face Value £22.41 - offered at half price! Just PM an address. 

I see Opus Arte are releasing Northern Ballet’s '1984' on 27^th April – with Martha Leebolt, Tobias Batley et al – on both DVD and Blu-ray.

3 hours ago, Nina G. said:

 

It really saddens me to read that dancers, who are after all in the weakest position, should "shut up" (because they have spoken out anonymously). They'd risk their career and livelihood if they revealed their identity!!!!  Why are the weakest individuals in this whole story "vilified" for not revealing their identity? Who would do so in their right mind if they'd risk not getting roles any longer and being sidelined?

 

Please - I have not suggested this of the dancers for one moment- rather I have stressed that it is because of their vulnerability that others should speak up for them. What I have been saying, or trying to say, is that so far  the allegations in the Times that are being perpetuating and elaborated in the various posts in this thread are unsubstantiated and that this is not the place to judge them. Clearly as Lizbie1 says the allegations must be properly looked but there are always two sides to any issue and natural justice demands a right of reply and a presumption of innocence until proven guilty.  

 

 

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1 hour ago, Nina G. said:

 

It really saddens me to read that dancers, who are after all in the weakest position, should "shut up" (because they have spoken out anonymously). They'd risk their career and livelihood if they revealed their identity!!!!  Why are the weakest individuals in this whole story "vilified" for not revealing their identity? Who would do so in their right mind if they'd risk not getting roles any longer and being sidelined?

 

Please  - - I have not suggested this of the dancers for one moment- rather I have stressed that it is because of their vulnerability that others should speak up for them. What I have been saying, or trying to say, is that so far  the allegations in the Times article that are being perpetuating in the various posts in this thread are unsubstantiated and that this is not the place to debate them. Clearly as Lizbie1 says the allegations must be properly looked but there are always two sides to any issue and natural justice demands a right of reply and a presumption of innocence until proven guilty. That seems to have been singularly lacking in this thread and is the only reason I made my post. And I ask the question that is always asked in these situations: if others in position of power and influence in the ballet world are aware of what is allegedly going on, why haven't they spoken out?     

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2 hours ago, Anna C said:

 

This is a very strong statement, David.  Given that abuse of any sort can only thrive through fear, secrecy and silence, is it any wonder that employees or students find it difficult or impossible to speak out, even anonymously? Implying that people should "shut up" or go public and risk losing everything is dangerous.  

I accept your point completely which makes it all the more important that others should speak up for them. But not through anonymous, unattributed and unsupported  comments  in a forum such as this. Is it suggested that the anonymity of the various contributors to this thread conceals the identity of dancers within the ENB who are speaking from personal experience? Their agents? Their families?If so, then even greater the concern. But many contributors to the forum speak with great expertise and I have always assumed must hold significant positions in the ballet world. At this point in time in particular with such an emphasis on the need to treat people with respect there are surely many both in this forum and in the wider ballet community in a position to take up the dancers' case if it is so dire as is being suggested? Why is this not happening?

By any external analysis the ENB shows no sign of an organisation in crisis - indeed the opposite.The article in the Times will have triggered discussion, not only in the ENB but also amongst their sponsors and the Arts Council. Warranted or not, these allegations in The Times will have consequences! If they prove to be substantiated it is obviously a matter of great concern for us all. If unwarranted they do great damage to Ms Rojo herself and either way it all poses a significant threat to the future of the Company and her attempts to turn it into a world class company!

15 minutes ago, Jan McNulty said:

 

 

I'm sorry but I don't think that quoting something seen in a populist documentary constitutes a known fact about the person you named.

15 minutes ago, Jan McNulty said:

 

 

I'm sorry but I don't think that quoting something seen in a populist documentary constitutes a known fact about the person you named.

11 minutes ago, Anna C said:

 

This is a very strong statement, David.  Given that abuse of any sort can only thrive through fear, secrecy and silence, is it any wonder that employees or students find it difficult or impossible to speak out, even anonymously? Implying that people should "shut up" or go public and risk losing everything is dangerous.  

What I am saying is that contributors on this forum are making or implying all sorts of very serious and damaging allegations. I don't know who they are but they are doing so anonymously and based on unattributed comment.

2 minutes ago, MAB said:

 

Please be specific with your accusations, exactly what abuse did Wayne Eagling, the most amiable of men, commit and perhaps you could  also give us a round figure of dancers that left under his tenure.

 

I note you too post anonymously.

Yes but I try hard to stick to known facts avoid negative comment about individuals.

I do understand the difficulties but one can't have it both ways.    

Yes - it happened under Wayne Eagling's watch and he was clearly aware of it.

Like Bruce Wall I am very unhappy with the way this discussion has developed.

The analogy with Deep Throat is not helpful – the ENB is not the US Presidency. But what we have learnt over the past few years is that where there has been abuse it has been widely known but that those who had knowledge have turned a blind eye.

I do not know the facts in this matter and therefore cannot comment. Equally I have no way of knowing whether those who are commenting so freely on this forum under the cloak of anonymnity are speaking from personal knowledge of the facts or or merely “re-tweeting”. But it is a very serious situation when the character/management of one of our leading and most successful ballet figures is being questioned.  

If there is or has been abuse of power then those who have knowledge of it are collusive if they fail to communicate that information to the relevant authorities. Anonymous allegations in forums such as this are no substitute.

We had clear evidence of abuse in the ENB under Wayne Eagling’s watch in BBC documentaries a few years back and it was clear then that this had been widely known and ignored by many people over a long time. I would have expected that the ENB Board would have learnt the lesson and be on the alert for any suspicion of mismanagement.

Ms Rojo has made no secret of her determination to achieve change in the ENB and turn it into a world class Company. Presumably that’s why she was appointed. I have seen no evidence of favouritism – indeed the opposite. Inevitably there will be dissatisfaction as she carries out her brief but I have seen nothing to suggest that she has crossed the line from a proper if ruthless exercise of power to achieve those ends to an abuse of that power. So far all we have is a form of character assassination by anonymous, unattributed comments. It’s not good enough and if people are not prepared to put up, they should shut up!    

I see there is to be a live worldwide cinema relay by the ENB of Akram Khan’s Giselle on the 25th April in which Ms Rojo is to be joined by James Streeter, Jeffrey Cirio and Stina Quagebeur - and which hopefully will eventually find its way to DVD.

42 minutes ago, Balletfanp said:

Weird. Just looked and the casting has been removed.

As you say, very weird - and still down 45mins later!!!!!

Thanks to bangorballetboy we will be able to make comparisons when and if the casting reappears to see if anything has changed.

The London run finishes tonight but as indicated above it was filmed with the original cast and I've just seen that it will be relayed at my local Vue on the 15th or 16th May - and presumably on those dates around the country?