capybara

I think that it's my old computer. It has worked fine on the new one

I've tried this but, for every performance, I get a message saying that it is no longer available.

I think it should be said that Joseph Sissens was always cast in 'Farewell' where he danced brilliantly. Amazing to think that, 7 years ago, he was the first young Freddie in Wayne Eagling's Nutcracker for ENB. Jo is a very different artiste from Marcellino Sambe (both hugely talented though), who is, alas, injured and was replaced in The Wind by Ed Watson.' Mariko Sasaki seized her moment as the replacement for Tierney Heap in 'Farewell' - nice to see. And the replacement slips were correct! BTW, no sign of Luca Acri yet this season. Is he injured too?

Just to say that I really enjoyed Francesca Hayward in The Wind last night: beautiful and believable.

Yes - 'names' and ranks are a big issue in Japan apparently. The promoters there clearly know what they want and get want they want! And isn't it priceless that this uniquely early release of casting for BRB mentions Cojocaru before she reappears with ENB.

Love them both but the spoils need to be divvied up more so as to be fair to dancers and audiences alike.

Rina Kanehara was an exquisite revelation when she danced Clara last year and her match up with Aitor Arrieta (the joint winner with RIna of this year's ENB Emerging Dancer Award) and newcomer Fernando Carratala Coloma looks really interesting. [I agree with Sim's other mentions also, by the way.] Among the men, Aaron Robison (paired with Dronina and Cao), Ken Saruhashi (paired with Khaniukova and Velicu), Caley and Cirio are all going to be worth a look as they take on the role of the Nephew/Prince for the first time.

It's all very well for the Gents in the audience but there are many Ladies as well who one notices having physical difficulty accessing the downstairs toilets. Yes, I know that there are lifts at both ends, and I sometimes use them, but not everyone is aware that they are there and, in any case, they involve a long wait. Signage for the Ladies' improved (I think in response to audience feedback) but exiting on the right hand side of the auditorium involves walking through the waiting queue. This would not be the case if the entrance and exit were reversed. Why don't they think of these things?

I got 'on the case' speedily in the light of what has been said about late casting by BRB and ENB.

Casting for the Coliseum (Southhampton is above): Nutcracker Principal Casting (in the order of Clara, Nephew, Nutcracker) (Casting is subject to change. Please see http://www.ballet.org.uk/ for up-to-date casting) Wednesday 13 December Shiori Kase±, Joseph Caley†, Guilherme Menezes Thursday 14 December Jurgita Dronina*†, Aaron Robison*†, Skyler Martin* Friday 15 December (matinee) Alison McWhinney*, James Forbat, Junor Souza Friday 15 December Shiori Kase±, Joseph Caley†, Guilherme Menezes Saturday 16 December (matinee) Erina Takahashi, Jeffrey Cirio*††, James Forbat Saturday 16 December Tamara Rojo, Isaac Hernandez†, Aitor Arrieta Sunday 17 December (matinee) Jurgita Dronina†, Aaron Robison†, Skyler Martin Tuesday 19 December (matinee) Alison McWhinney, James Forbat, Junor Souza Tuesday 19 December Jurgita Dronina†, Aaron Robison†, Skyler Martin Wednesday 20 December (matinee) Katja Khaniukova, Ken Saruhashi*, Eric Woolhouse* Wednesday 20 December Erina Takahashi, Jeffrey Cirio††, James Forbat Thursday 21 December (matinee) Begona Cao, Aaron Robison†, Junor Souza Thursday 21 December Fernanda Oliveira, James Forbat, Skyler Martin Friday 22 December (matinee) Katja Khaniukova, Ken Saruhashi, Eric Woolhouse Friday 22 December Rina Kanehara, Aitor Arrieta, Fernando Carratalá Coloma Saturday 23 December (matinee) Erina Takahashi, Jeffrey Cirio††, James Forbat Saturday 23 December Tamara Rojo, Isaac Hernandez†, Aitor Arrieta Sunday 24 December (matinee) Shiori Kase±, Joseph Caley†, Guilherme Menezes Tuesday 26 December (5pm) Fernanda Oliveira, James Forbat, Skyler Martin Wednesday 27 December (matinee) Begona Cao, Aaron Robison†, Junor Souza Wednesday 27 December Erina Takahashi, Jeffrey Cirio††, James Forbat Thursday 28 December (matinee) Begona Cao, Aaron Robison†, Junor Souza Thursday 28 December Tamara Rojo, Isaac Hernandez†, Aitor Arrieta Friday 29 December Shiori Kase±, Joseph Caley†, Guilherme Menezes Saturday 30 December (matinee) Erina Takahashi, Jeffrey Cirio††, James Forbat Saturday 30 December Tamara Rojo, Isaac Hernandez†, Aitor Arrieta Sunday 31 December (matinee) Fernanda Oliveira, James Forbat, Skyler Martin Tuesday 2 January Begona Cao, Aaron Robison†, Junor Souza Wednesday 3 January Rina Kanehara, Aitor Arrieta, Fernando Carratalá Coloma Thursday 4 January (matinee) Fernanda Oliveira, James Forbat, Skyler Martin Thursday 4 January Jurgita Dronina†, Aaron Robison†, Skyler Martin Friday 5 January Rina Kanehara, Aitor Arrieta, Fernando Carratalá Coloma Saturday 6 January (matinee) Francesca Velicu*, Ken Saruhashi, Eric Woolhouse Saturday 6 January Alison McWhinney, James Forbat, Junor Souza * Debut in the role with English National Ballet † Sponsored by the Aud Jebsen International Talent Programme †† Guest Artists sponsored by Aud Jebsen ± Backes & Strauss Brand Ambassador

Well, I didn't get an e-mail about all these changes. Should I be feeling miffed?

This thread is so enjoyable. The terrific mix of critique (with varying views), humorous remarks, and information is exactly what BCF should be about.

I recall, on a couple of occasions, him making it clear that his 1 star was to recognise the dancers. The star system is as faulty in terms of theatrical reviews as it is in relation to hotels and B&Bs. Oh, Tony, why not tell it like it is? Hahaha! You've made me laugh out loud, thank you!

Yes he did. He has said in the past that he awards stars for the dancers, not the piece(s), which is as it should be.

I latched onto these two characters representing the spirits of the wind and I see that Mark Monaghan in The Telegraph described Edward Watson as "the wind incarnate". Clement Crisp's review (see today's links) is scathing and he says that the new triple bill gives rise to questions about the suitability, quality and identity of the RB as a national ensemble. Strong stuff. But, since my two viewings, I have been wondering whether this programme is really worthy of the RB or does justice to the dancers.

I'm very sorry you felt my advice was 'duff', Mary. At the General Rehearsal, it was not just a 'wind' but pretty much a 'gale' which hit the Stalls Circle and had people reaching for their coats. Hair was being ruffled elsewhere and people were talking about how much the machines had affected them, albeit temporarily. I was only trying to be considerate in warning BCF members and I actually feel slighted offended that you felt you needed to describe my post as you did. It's good that things have clearly been adjusted and it is now completely comfortable for the audience.

Maybe you mean Cesar Morales, Sim?

Maybe it was the same dancer who many people heard giving someone a firm 'put down' at the ROH Stage Door about a year ago. Good for her.

I'm very pleased she was in the piece. Yasmine was luminous in The Illustrated Farewell - as is usual, of course.

My 'like' of your post, FLOSS, is because I largely agree with you about both 'Farewell' and 'Wind'. It is regrettable that both choreographers, having expressed so much admiration for the RB's dancers, then failed to exploit the wonderful array of talent at their disposal. It felt as if Twyla Tharp ran out of time to deploy her supporting team effectively and thereby left Lamb and McRae over-exposed and alone for two sections of the symphony. In the Pita, the movement given to both Osipova and Watson felt underwritten and it was all to easy to be distracted from the (in)action by the surrounding gadgetry. I have stayed for Untouchable but it didn't work as well for me as on its first airing in 2015 - perhaps because the coruscating presence of Matthew Ball was missing this time.

At the time he, Matthew Golding, was hired, the RB needed a tall, male Principal but, then, unexpectedly perhaps, along came Vadim Muntagirov

Maybe not then even though they had clearly been chosen for the filming! However, by 2009 when Yasmine Naghdi won YBDY and in 2010 when Francesca Hayward won the same competition, their extraordinary talent was plain to see.

I do so agree and I have to confess that there are times when I feel uneasy about fans' behaviour around dancers. I guess that we all have different perceptions of what is, or is not, appropriate.

This is how I did it but I'm no expert! Click 'Quote' to get the whole message in your reply box. Highlight the text you don't want and press 'delete' or 'back'. Click the side of the photo and press 'back' or 'delete' or, if you can, highlight the photo and press 'back' or 'delete'. Good luck!

Vadim is always extremely courteous, generous with his time, and very patient at the Stage Door. But his family name is Muntagirov!! [Incidentally, I have just proved (to myself) that it is possible not only to delete text from a quote but also to take out pictures which don't need to be repeated ]