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Fonty

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  1. Fonty
    I didn't try on Wednesday. I have limited internet access abroad, and watching a circle go round and round is depressing. I have tried for the days and casts I want to see, and there is nothing. Lots of expensive seats in the stalls though.
  2. Fonty
    As I am not a Friend, the chances of my getting a standing ticket are nil. I think my viewing this year might be limited to the cinema relays. I am not going to pay over £100 for a seat when the chances are high that my view will be blocked by someone else. On that topic, why are the Ashton triple bills not being shown at the cinema?
  3. Fonty
    You've missed out Matthew Bourne - Afternoon of a Nymph - she stays in the background, peeking out at some fauns cavorting with one another. Although having said that, he would probably go down the all male route.
  4. Fonty
    I really dislike this "you can get a programme on your phone" attitude. I buy programmes for posterity; I like to go back to them again. Often, I think, "Goodness, what a cast that was" or "What a fabulous triple bill, I'd forgotten I'd seen these together. " In the past there would be interesting articles, and wonderful pictures, memories to treasure. It simply isn't the same scrawling through files on line. In the same way, I prefer reading "proper" books, rather than ones on a Kindle. Although I have one, it is not the same as holding a book in your hands.
  5. Fonty
    Oh, I think I could manage Glasgow. I really like it there.
  6. Fonty
    Er - I have just looked at the prices for going on the tour. When I had picked myself up off the floor, I thought maybe my bank account might have a fit. Especially as it included lots of things I don't particularly want to do, such as cooking, sake and calligraphy. So, if anyone wants to arrange an independent tour in the future, I might be interested! Incidentally, do we know where they are going next year?
  7. Fonty
    I've always wanted to go to Japan. Maybe we should organise a BalletForum trip?
  8. Fonty
    I notice the mention of the multiple curtain calls in Japan, which seem to be a rarity in London. Why is that? It can't be because the audiences are less enthusiastic.
  9. Fonty
    Goodness, is that right, she is nearly 6 foot tall. Surely that is huge for a ballerina in a classical ballet company? The tallest dancer I have seen was Yanowski, and she is 175cm (or 5' 8" ) and they had enough problems finding suitable partners for her. Didn't they have to bring in a male guest dancer especially for Yanowski?
  10. Fonty

    RIP Julian Sands

    Fonty replied to Anna C's topic in Not Dance

    Very sad news. He was an experienced hiker, must have been dreadful for his family when he went missing.
  11. Fonty
    I hate the current ENB Nutcracker. I used to love the production where the Kingdom of the Sweets featured costumes that looked like liquorish allsorts. To be honest, I am not much a Nutcracker fan. I think BRB does the best of the traditional ones, and I really enjoyed Matthew Bourne's production as well. The second act of MB's was great, and the costumes made me smile. Er - hang on, isn't it a bit early to be discussing Nutcrackers? It doesn't feel right while I am dressed in shorts and a t shirt. I would love to see Coppelia performed by just about any company.
  12. Fonty
    I think there is a certain prejudice felt by some individuals against touring companies. I remember in the old days with the RB touring company, there was this idea that anyone dancing there "wasn't good enough" for the main company. Not by me, I hasten to add. But probably because there was this perception that if you were performing at a regional theatre in the suburbs, rather than in the capital of the UK, then you were somehow inferior. Total rubbish of course. I love ENB, and often think their performances in the classics are better than those by the RB. Edited to add perhaps I should change that to "sometimes think their performances in the classics....."
  13. Fonty
    Well, Hingis was my first thought, but only because she wore a sun visor and had a dark ponytail. I don't remember her having a great rivalry with anyone though. And on that topic, why are two males who haven't actually won Wimbledon yet given pride of place at the front? I know the official explanation is that this is a potential great rivalry of the future, but if that is the case, where is the equivalent female potential rivalry? Unless it is those two ladies tucked away at the back of the queue that nobody can recognise? Shame on Wimbledon. Guilty of both terrible art work and sexism!
  14. Fonty
    Ok, this is really bugging me. This is the latest artwork for Wimbledon, depicting great rivalries. Who are the two ladies in the white sun visors at the back supposed to be?
  15. Fonty
    Thanks very much, Moderators. I look forward to reading further comments about the wonderful Morera.
  16. Fonty
    May I say that I think it is tragic that the original thread expressing our appreciation for Laura Morera has had to be locked off because of unseemly bickering by some users regarding the way in which the forum is run? This seems a dreadful way to finish a thread about a wonderful dancer with so many years of loyal service to the Royal Ballet under her belt. I am not criticising the Mods for locking it, btw, under the circumstances I appreciate fully their decision to do so. But it doesn't stop me being sad about it. Edited to add I did think about starting a new topic on this subject, but decided against it in case some people objected to my use of the term "unseemly bickering....."
  17. Fonty
    Goodness me, how could I forget such fabulous dancers.
  18. Fonty
    They were. But I am astounded by the comment that there were so many empty seats. Appalling! I am trying to think who the top headliners would have been then. Bussell and Guillem would already have retired, so who else was around, I can't remember.
  19. Fonty
    While looking at Laura's varied repertoire, I can't help thinking about all the roles she didn't get a chance to dance, as far as I know. Juliet is the obvious one, and why she was denied that chance is a much discussed topic, but I would have loved to have seen her have a crack at some of these too: Odette/Odile - her technical skills are more than up to the task, but her exceptional acting abilities would undoubtedly have made this a stunning performance Aurora - surely she should have had at least one season's opportunity to perform what is one of the core roles for any RB principal?. I know there are some people who might think that she didn't suit the pure classical roles, of course, but having seen her Cinderella I would disagree! The Girl in the Two Pigeons - I know she played the Gypsy Girl, but she would definitely have been able to make this less twee that some of the other dancers in the role. That is all I can think of at the moment, I am sure people will come up with others.
  20. Fonty
    While I don't mind the costumes for Untitled, I still think they are unflattering, especially for the ladies. The leg style on the leotards makes them look long in the body and short in the leg. Something that female ballet dancers most certainly are not!
  21. Fonty
    Interesting looking at the different outfits for the men hugging Morera. Everything from smart suits to top to toe denim. Who is the chap in the shiny black suit jacket? The photo only shows his back.
  22. Fonty
    Makes me wonder what you actually enjoy watching!
  23. Fonty
    Indeed, and they never will unless the RB appoints a resident choreographer who specialises in classical ballet. Which is why I questioned, and continue to question, why MacGregor remains in that position. Yes, an occasional new piece from him might be exciting, but giving him the lion's share of the budget for new works seems very odd, to put it mildly. Of course Ashton, MacMillan and so on created duds, no choreographer is brilliant all the time. And MacMillan pushed the boundaries, that's for sure. But both of them understood classical ballet, and knew how to create wonderful works using the pure technique of the genre. Surely nobody can say audiences don't like it so much any more, and prefer the more modern stuff? Or is it a case that as the older dance critics retire, so the newer ones who may not be so familiar with classical are more likely to give it an neutral or negative response?
  24. Fonty
    Yes, they are both keen dance fans, so they had already recognised him. All part of the fun of eating at Langan's.....
  25. Fonty
    True Wayne Sleep story: My brother and sister-in-law were having a meal in Langham's Brasserie* in London some years ago. A slightly inebriated Wayne Sleep, who was dining at a nearby table, came and sat on my brother's lap and said "My word, what a handsome chap you are." . My brother was extremely embarrassed; my s-i-l dissolved into fits of laughter, before saying "Yes he is, and he is my handsome chap, so hands off him!" Hand shakes all round before Mr Sleep returned to his table. * For those that don't know, LB is a restaurant in London near the Ritz Hotel where you can often see famous faces. I think a media person had a financial interest in it once. Maybe Michael Caine?
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