SusanR

I stopped going to SW when they started allowing food & drink into the auditorium! I did write to them about it but got an unsatisfactory reply. Don't understand why people can't abstain from eating for, at most, a couple of hours!

Fabulous photos, as usual, Don Q Fan

I am a big fan of Biktimirov too, Bruce. Sorry I didn't get to see him this time round!

To be honest I usually only go to matinees on a Saturday. It was unusual for me to go to ballet on a weekday evening but I had bought the ticket at the last minute from a forum member. I'm so glad I was able to see the Bright Stream. I absolutely loved it, getting home a different story! I agree LinMM earlier starts & midweek matinees would be good & accurate timings on cast sheets too! I do hope you sleep better tonight.

Yes, Alison I do use the tube, but as I don't live in London, I only top up my oyster card as & when I need it. On Thursday I tried to top up but there was something wrong on the website & I couldn't do so! I made the decision to use the bus which was a mistake. I was very stressed as I live between Littlehampton & Worthing & I really needed to catch that last train. At my station there are no taxis or buses & I have a 20 minute walk home. I am dedicated to my art. I usually only go to evening performances on a Saturday, when there is a later train. Honestly, in the 21st century you would think that travelling a mere 50 odd miles home would be a breeze!

As I have been called out for the heinous crime of leaving the ballet early, I would like to tell you of things that annoyed me on Thursday. The woman in the row in front of me who had backcombed her hair, meaning there were times when I couldn't see the dancers feet because of her hair. The couple next to me ( bench seat in the stalls circle ), the woman invading my space, the man guffawing loudly & the pair of them making comments throughout! On other occasions I have had to put up with audience members breathing their garlic breath in my direction & once, a man tapping his feet & humming along to the orchestra.

I am one of those annoying people who have to leave promptly to catch a train. I don't like doing it. I would dearly love to stay to the end & show my appreciation to the dancers. I very rarely book mid week evening performances as my last train leaves at 10.15. However, the Bright Stream being a relatively short ballet was ideal so I thought. The cast sheet stated that the performance would end at approximately 9.20 which would have given me plenty of time to reach Victoria. However it was 9.40 when I left the opera house. I ran all the way down to the Strand for a bus which took a long time to arrive. I got to Victoria at about 10.11 & it is a very long walk to the platform! I had to run to catch my train & I made it with about 2 minutes to spare. At the age of nearly 70 I do not need this stress. It would be so helpful if performances could start a little earlier. I know I am not the only one who has this problem.

Thanks Alison

Please may I buy your ticket?

I am keen to buy a ticket for Astana Ballet in the Linbury but I am not sure where to sit. I have read some negative comments about sightlines. Perhaps someone could enlighten me? I am thinking of the stalls.

I haven't bought any tickets! The cheap stalls circle seats are now ridiculously expensive. Looks like I will have to rely on the live relays at the cinema. So disappointed with ROH.

I am so sorry to hear this news. I never met John unfortunately. He sounds like a lovely man.

Thank you Maryrose, I was beginning to think I was in a minority on this subject! I really wanted to love this ballet, in fact, I was the first person to book when it became available for booking at my local cinema. However, I was so disappointed. I agree about the sensuality in L'apres Midi, but, in my opinion, it is not appropriate in Victoria. Apparently, Victoria & Albert were crazy about each other so why couldn't Marston show that side of their relationship instead of the predictable sex? gathered, I believe Victoria was quite explicit (for Victorian times, at least!) in her diaries about sex, so I wonder if we were supposed to be experiencing something of what Beatrice felt which caused her to tear those pages out of the diary?

I'm so sorry you found my comment about the pas de deux between Victoria & Albert so amusing Sharon! In my world, less is more. I would much rather see such moments in my imagination, but these days everything is on display. So crass. By the way, the name is Marston......

Well, I have to agree with the two gentlemen! I nearly walked out after the first act but decided to persevere & to be fair, the second act was better, but nothing would induce me to see this ballet again.