Fonty

Has Morera never danced it before? I am shocked! She really has been under used in the past, hasn't she?

You mean someone like a George Smiley, Jacqueline? Doing a couple of days a week, because he finds retirement boring? I am sure he would be able to spot a tout just by the way he walks! Edited to add that for visiting Russian companies, surely Moscow rules would have to apply?

The people in the Box Office have probably got no idea. I think that people might have to make a formal request for an explanation to someone higher up the chain. This sounds outrageous to me.

I know Newhaven very well. It is quite a narrow entrance, and if the wind is in the wrong direction, or the sea is too rough, it is too dangerous. We were stuck outside once for what felt like an eternity in very nasty seas. We were on a 27 foot sailing boat. I almost kissed the ground when we finally got in. I have done two of those long distance ferry trips, and thoroughly enjoyed both of them. The first one was a return trip from Portsmouth to Bilboa, in January. We had an inside cabin with no window, the cheapest option there was. We didn't indulge in the evening "entertainment", apart from shuffling around the disco floor at one point. We did have two lovely meals in the "posh" restaurant (I think it was Gary Rhodes running it at the time) which kept us occupied. We were told on the way back that the wind got up to a force 10 at one point, and we heard people complaining they kept falling out of bed. We slept snug as bugs, and didn't even notice. But we are used to sailing. The second one I did was the boat from Santander to Portsmouth last year. We were just returning from a holiday, but I wouldn't mind doing the round trip some time, if the fare is cheap enough. Again, the entertainment was ok, but we were quite happy with our books. And Santander is a fantastic place for a short stop over - so attractive on a boat. Sailing, no matter how big the ship is, is not for everyone. Unless you pay for the state room, the berths are going to be snug, to put it mildly. We had bunk beds on the Santander ferry, which made me feel about 8 years old again! And unless you are paying a fortune to go on something like one of the Cunard boats, or specialist cruises run by people like the National Trust, with talks by experts in their chosen field, the entertainment is probably going to be a bit like Butlins. River cruisers look like smaller boats with bigger berths. They are not cheap, but they do look fascinating.

Just one thing about the article. It says Nureyev "briefly" owned a house in Richmond. I assume they mean the East Sheen one? I think he lived there for about 10 years, didn't he? I would hardly call that "brief".

I didn't listen to the final, I was out, but I listened to earlier matches, and really enjoyed it. Excellent comments being made, in between the bally-by-ball commentary as well. Much better than the usual chatter. I noticed that they tend to change the commentators quite frequently. They probably get eye ache. Not to mention getting tired tongues.

Talking about this, does anyone else have the same difficulties that I do, when trying to book on line at the Coliseum? I have never yet managed to purchase a ticket, something always goes wrong. To get tickets for Giselle, I went to the box office in person. This time, I had to resort to the telephone.

Lifelong Rafa fan. Devastated.

Well, I always thought that, Alison, but didn't like to say so in case I was completely wrong! And I think the Ballets Russes had one or two dancers who were thought to be quite good....

I didn't buy a programme, so I was just going on my memory of the film, which I admit I saw a long time ago. However, I never thought the company in the film was supposed to be that provincial. I thought the whole idea was that Moira Shearer takes over the lead in a company that might have been small, but was well known and respected, and shoots to stardom as a result. If the company was that provincial, who would have noticed her in the first place? And more to the point, why would they cast a RB principal in the role, when any actress who can move in time with the music could have waved her arms around? (I am thinking Ann Bancroft in The Turning Point here.) But even if I have got the wrong end of the stick, I think that however provincial the company was supposed to be, I would have thought that they could point their toes properly. And even I could manage to do an attitude with more turnout when I was 12 than some of the ladies seemed capable of!

I went to see this on Thursday, and although I really enjoyed it, I didn't think it was as good as some of Bourne's other productions. I loved the staging, the story telling was wonderful, and there were some terrific scenes, many displaying the touches of humour that he does so well. I particularly liked the East End music hall bit, with the bored stage hand occasionally banging the cymbal for the performers, while reading a newspaper. I also thought there were some lovely lyrical dances. So why didn't I like it as much? I am not quite sure, but I did think that some of the classical ballet was just not danced well enough. Also, I never really got the sense of the Vicky Page character being torn in two by the men in her life, to the point of being driven to suicide. I can't see myself rushing back to see this one again, although my companions really enjoyed it, and preferred it to both the Nutcracker and the Sleeping Beauty.

My parents used to love cruising, and getting dressed up in the evenings was part of the fun for them. As my mother said, "Where else can I go now, where I won't look overdressed wearing a long dress?" But who says you have to have a different outfit every day? My mother took one long dress, one cocktail dress, and the rest was just ordinary clothes. I agree that if you don't want to get dressed up, then you should pick a cruise where it isn't necessary. But I do think it is sad that those who don't like it, seem to be forcing their views on others. On a lot of cruise lines now, the dress code is simply "smart casual." Which doesn't really mean anything more than a clean t shirt and change of socks for lots of people.

It was so embarrassing, Alison. Nobody else was coughing at all. Normally, when one starts, it provokes a chain reaction. I am still puzzled by it, I could feel my whole throat seizing up. Never experienced anything like it at the theatre. They were using dry ice, but that normally doesn't cause me any problems. I am trudging off into the wilderness to attend my Good Audience training course.

Oh dear. I must apologise to the people around me at the back of the dress circle at yesterday's matinee of The Red Shoes at Sadlers Wells for my annoying behaviour. First of all, I was overtaken by the most appalling coughing fit towards the end of the first act. I had to bend down and fiddle around to get my water bottle out of my bag, which had somehow managed to work its way underneath my seat, and necessitated a good deal of movement on my part. When I took the top off the bottle, it gave a loud crack. Oops. Sorry. :blush: No idea what set me off, as I didn't have a cough before I went in. It was so bad, I thought I would have to get up and go out. Fortunately, I routinely carry a water bottle everywhere, and it seemed to do the trick.

It does? Oh, sorry, I didn't realise, it never occurred to me to do so. Thanks Janet. Mods, you can delete my post if you want.

I have a question which I will add on here, rather than starting a new topic. Regarding the casting for Jewels, how do I work out who is in which ballet? I can't remember how many dancers are in each ballet!

I gathered from the original post that the child had no interest at all in what was happening on the stage? So I got the impression that it wasn't the excitement of the trip, but boredom on the child's part? I would have no problem with a small child getting a little over the top with the magic and wonder of the performance. It is how the parent deals with that excitement that is really the issue. A quick "Shhh, darling, we don't want to disturb other people" wouldn't cause me any problems at all. Probably make me smile that the child was enjoying it so much. And yes, I have heard many British parents complain that restaurants in Britain are not "welcoming" to children. But it is a chicken and egg situation, isn't it? Children abroad behave well, by and large, therefore they are welcomed. A lot of modern British parents seem to think that controlling their children in any public place - restaurants, theatres, public transport - is in some way arresting their development. So, when they take them out to eat and then completely ignore any disruption their offspring are causing, the staff and fellow diners look disapproving. I would add that I have been out to eat many times in the UK with friends with their quiet, well behaved, small children, and found the staff to be very helpful and pleasant towards our party. And the reason the children were quiet and well behaved is because one of the parents was always keeping a watchful eye, and interacting with them to keep them entertained in a low key way. They didn't just ignore them.

I don't see what difference it makes whether it is a hotel or not. I realise they have to eat, but more often than not in this country I've seen children being allowed to do just about everything other than eating, to the annoyance of other people in the room. I spend a considerable amount of time abroad in Europe, and see children eating out all the time in hotels and restaurants. The difference between there and the UK is that abroad they are expected to sit and eat, and behave themselves. If a baby or toddler starts to cry, one of the adults will immediately take it away and proceed to do whatever is necessary to calm it down. They learn from a very early age what is appropriate behaviour for the situation. On the other hand, last weekend I went out for lunch with friends in a pub in London, and were seated next to a party which included several children of all ages. They spent their time hitting each other, throwing food, and screaming loudly at the tops of their voices. It was a nightmare, and when one of our party asked them to keep the noise down, the adults shrugged and said, "They are just kids." Eventually it got so bad I complained to one of the barmen. He did speak to them, and they left shortly after. Thank goodness.....

Thanks for that, Janet. It just so happens I have a ticket for a certain Mr Campbell. SB is not my favourite ballet, but I hope he and his partner will make me see it with fresh eyes.

It is very difficult to tell a parent that their child is disturbing you. A lot of parents respond with a "He/she is just a child." As if that excuses their behaviour. Or they can become very defensive, which causes unpleasantness. I know it is sometimes hard if a child is throwing a tantrum, but there is a time and a place. I would have every sympathy for a parent trying to control their offspring having a strop in the supermarket, while doing their weekly shop. And no sympathy at all if I am trying to eat a meal in a restaurant, or watch something on stage in a theatre.

Is there a minimum age? I can remember someone taking a baby to the theatre once. The only reason I noticed is because it started crying during the performance. The woman was in a box, and she did leave as soon as the noise started. I can remember going to the ballet when I was well under the age of 8. However, my parents would not have tolerated any bad behaviour, and I would have been expected to sit quietly. In my case, it was not necessary to tell me off, as I was entranced by what I was looking at. I can't understand the parents. They must have had to pay for a ticket for the child, which was a complete waste of money, and surely it was disturbing them as well as all the people around?

I've never seen Salenko myself, but others speak very warmly of her. I am sure she is a terrific dancer, otherwise she wouldn't have been asked to guest in the first place. As a matter of interest, who do you think should have been given a crack at the Sugar Plum Fairy who wasn't already cast? I made the assumption that she was booked to appear in Nutcracker some time ago, perhaps when Kevin O'Hare was still juggling with casting roles for the long run of Sleeping Beauties coming up. I am probably complete wrong, of course, but I am hoping that many of the young up and comings have been cast in various roles that will challenge them, and they will perform those roles with the perfection that comes with plenty of time to concentrate on rehearsing them. Looking forward to lots of stunning SB solos. :fingerscrossed:

I can't think why it has been billed as a comedy. Isn't it supposed to be the same as Gogglebox on Channel 4? Which I also haven't seen, but is simply "ordinary" people making comments on various points in the news, as opposed to commenting on tv programmes. Well, I think the Brexit vote has shown that it is sometimes very difficult to get an informed view.

I was only thinking about Les Patineurs today, and wondering why on earth it had not been seen in any programme for I don't know how long. It was/is such a delightful ballet, and perfect for any autumn/winter triple bill. When they did show it in the past, I hated the way it was always on the same bill as the Tales of Beatrix Potter. The latter is not a ballet I ever want to see again on the stage.

I wasn't going to go and see this, but having read all the rave reviews I got a last minute ticket for this afternoon, and I am very glad I did. I enjoyed Act 1, but while I thought there was some excellent dancing, I can't say I preferred it to the RB's production. However, I absolutely loved Act 2. I thought the corps were terrific, and the lighting was wonderful. From where I was sitting in the dress circle, I had a strange optical illusion. When the Wilis were standing perfectly still one behind the other. the effect of the light shimmering on the row of Wilis directly in front of me to the right made it look as though one girl was being reproduced over and over, getting slightly out of focus towards the back. I had to blink a couple of times, because I thought my eyesight was going!