Jan McNulty

Sorry MAB, I don't know which post you are referring to but the rule still applies.

The BBC cameras were recording last night's performance (which caused some seating chaos and a late start) and I believe they are also filming Saturday afternoon's performance.

I know exactly what you mean Anna. I saw Die Kameliendame at POB some years ago. Two of my friends had been absolutely raving about this production since they first saw it in Copenhagen nearly 20 years earlier. After the first performance I saw I thought it was pleasant but could not understand what all the fuss was about. But the second night ... Agnes LeTestu and Jiri Bubenicek ... oh wow oh wow oh wow. It was like watching a completely different ballet and to this day I cannot understand I was sobbing hysterically while a dancer was just stood at the side of a stage reading a book!! I will never forget that performance. My friend and I were beyond the power of speech for about an hour afterwards.

I suppose all dancers have performances where something does''t quite work - her fouettes at both the Lowry and in Birmingham were impeccable. Having seen her in various roles now, I would say she is definitely a young lady to watch!

It's funny, and wonderful, how we all see things differently. I saw the Neumeier production in Copenhagen and positively loathed the production (but admired the performances).

I think Bill, if this thread has proved OVER AND OVER AGAIN, there is absolutely no need whatsoever for Mr O'Hare to call in anyone at all! There have been some interesting discussion points raised, even if I have, personally, disagreed with some of the opinions stated.

Exactly Anna! Penelope (if I may call you that) I find your comment about ENB's Nureyev production incredibly rude. It may not be my favourite production (and neither is the MacMillan as it happens) but it is hardly inferior and ENB has got some wonderful interpreters of the various roles.

Well said Anna! Here is the link to the Eric Underwood feature: http://www.standard.co.uk/es-magazine/royal-opera-house-ballet-star-eric-underwood-i-want-to-be-a-great-dancer-regardless-of-my-colour-a3091036.html I would also like to point out that there are companies in this country other than ENB and RB, Cavycapers!

Oh Floss, how I agree with you about Ashton's R&J.

Links - Friday, Oct 16 2015 Review – New York City Ballet, Polaris, The Blue of Distance, Common Ground, New Blood, Jeux, New York: Martha Volgyi, Broadway World Reviews – Bolshoi, Giselle (live screening); Birmingham Royal Ballet, Variations Triple Bill, Birmingham: Ismene Brown, Spectator Reviews – Birmingham Royal Ballet, Swan Lake, London: Margaret Willis, DanceTabs Shelley Pinto-Duschinsky, Bachtrack Reviews – Joffrey Ballet, Sylvia, Chicago: Alastair Macaulay, NY Times Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun Times Preview Feature – American Ballet Theatre, The Green Table (Jooss), New York: Joan Acocella, New Yorker Feature – Eric Underwood (Royal Ballet): Stephanie Rafanelli, Standard Reviews – Fall for Dance Festival, New York: Deborah Jowitt, Arts Journal Lauren Gallagher, DanceTabs Review – Jose Limon International Dance Festival, New York: Apollinaire Scherr, FT Feature – Lam Chun-Wing, the first Chinese dancer in Paris Opera Ballet: Joyce Lau, NY Times Review - English National Ballet, Romeo and Juliet, Bristol: Staff, Western Daily Press News – This week’s dance in New York: Staff, NY Times News – Cast Announced for Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty: Carmel Smith, London Dance Review – Footnote New Zealand Dance, 30 Forward, Auckland: Roxanne de Bruyn, NZ Theatreview Review – Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Ballet Unto, Gone, Philadelphia: Merilyn Jackson, Philadelphia Inquirer Review – New Chamber Ballet, In the Parlour, La Mandragore, Gravity, Friction, New York: Matt Hanson, Broadway World Review - Lost Dog / Ben Duke, Paradise Lost (lies unopened beside me), London: Graham Watts, DanceTabs Review - Charlotte Ballet, Fall Works, Charlotte: Lawrence Toppman, Charlotte Observer

I'm not defending the critics but if their employers will not pay them, as I know from my own travels, it is an expensive business. It is not so easy to book well in advance if you do not know when the press performance is going to be and it is not always easy to book into a budget hotel at reasonable cost even if you have plenty of notice. Furthermore, but slightly changing the slant of this, there are many other dancers who should be reviewed who do not dance press performances as a matter of course. Before the category was changed, a favourite dancer of mine was nominated as "best newcomer" when he was already an established principal but did not often dance at the press performances. The touring companies rarely get the luxury of having more than one cast reviewed! Rant over!

I'm not surprised at all; many of the national newspapers are cutting expenses on arts coverage and often will not let their reviewers travel to see companies outside London. BRB and NB often have press performances at matinees so any critics who do escape from London can get back the same day.

I've seen the Cranko production performed several times in the past by Scottish Ballet (including seeing Ms Rojo in the title role!). Funnily enough I first saw NB performing the Morricone/Gable production in Blackpool during its first season. I was sat next to a Scottish lady who turned to me at the end and said it reminded her very much of the Cranko production...

Just picked this up while preparing for tomorrow's (today's???) links - the BFI is releasing a dvd of Nureyev/Fonteyn dancing R&J including the original theatrical trailer: http://www.film-news.co.uk/show-review.asp?nItemID=1508&nType=2

Sadly, as far as I am aware, no DVDs are available for my 2 favourite productions - Ashton's (as danced by ENB) and Morricone/Gable's. Fortunately both live on in my memory.

There is a website listed at the end of the video. That may have more information.

Interesting final paragraph Floss (I most definitely agree with the rest of your post) given that the wonder woman known as Nao Sakuma's first UK performance 5 months after giving birth to her daughter was a master class in how to perform Odette/Odile in BRB's Swan Lake. I understand she performed in a couple of galas in Japan in August!

I suppose it depends on what you are looking for. I always look for artistry and prefer not to see 6 o'clock extensions unless they have been choreographed in. I know what you mean about RB disillusionment Ali Pasha as I used to be a semi-regular but got fed up around the same time as you. However, I think those doldrums have largely passed so I hope, at the least, you will enjoy some of the cinema broadcasts. I'm only an infrequent visitor to RB these days but have certainly enjoyed the performances I have seen over the last couple of years (and not just because of one particular dancer!).

FT review published a few days ago: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/988877ae-70ca-11e5-9b9e-690fdae72044.html

Links - Thursday, Oct 15 2015 Review – New York City Ballet, Harlequinade, NY Export: Opus Jazz, New York: Alastair Macaulay, NY Times Review – New York City Ballet, Polaris, The Blue of Distance, Common Ground, New Blood, Jeux, New York: Robert Greskovic, Wall Street Journal Preview/Feature – American Ballet Theatre, Monotones l and ll, New York: Alastair Macaulay, NY Times Reviews – Birmingham Royal Ballet, Swan Lake, London: Clement Crisp, FT Hannah Weibye, Artsdesk Mark Monahan, Telegraph Vera Liber, British Theatre Guide Review – Jose Limon International Dance Festival, New York: Siobhan Burke, NY Times Review – Sylvie Guillem, A Life in Progress, Singapore: Germaine Cheng, Straits Times Feature – Twyla Tharp: A Lifetime in Dance: Martha Ullman West, Oregon Arts Watch Reviews – Fall for Dance Festival, New York: Robert Gottlieb, NY Observer Jessica Abejar, Broadway World News – Wendy Whelan joins Barnard College as Artist in Residence: Joshua Barone, NY Times Review – New York Ballet Theatre, Legends and Visionaries, New York: Matt Hanson, Broadway World Comment – Liam Scarlett’s Uplifting End to World Ballet Day 2015: Valerie Lawson, Dancelines Interview – Marcos Morau: Lyndsey Winship, Standard Review – Jacqulyn Buglisi, Table of Silence, New York: Matt Hanson, Broadway World Review – PRIME Choreographic Showcase, Auckland: Roxanne de Bruyn, NZ Theatreview Review – Ross McCormack, Triumphs and Other Alternatives, Auckland: Jenny Stevenson, NZ Theatreview Review - Carol Mendes & Artists, Lanotte + Verso, Matt Hanson, Broadway World

It opened in Birmingham with Enigma closing.

There is a casting tab on the information page. You just need to look at it for the theatre you are going to: http://www.ballet.org.uk/whats-on/romeojuliet/

Oh I thought I'd read about it here but it must have been on Facebook. Thanks for the reminder Alison.

SIT CLOSE!!! Not that I am biased! (You did see the swans from afar at The Lowry!)

See you there too DQF!