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capybara

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  1. capybara
    I think that all dancers want to get off home but they also really appreciate it when people wait to see them. Consideration is the key, I think - in relation to others who are standing there as well as to the artistes. And, as someone has said, once dancers are out of the Stage Door area, the fact that they are in 'private life' territory needs to be respected. I believe that, much earlier in this thread, I encouraged people not to be shy. So, once again, penelopesimpson and others, why not give it a go?
  2. capybara
    When Edward Watson was in the thick of the sideways gale at the beginning, I thought that, for that very reason, the wind had to be warm. But then the machines turned and it was surprisingly chilly - hence my alert!
  3. capybara
    Maybe, if those stars in their own field understood something about the art of ballet, they would be looking admiringly at Sergei?
  4. capybara
    Just back from the General Rehearsal. Inappropriate to comment until after the opening night but anyone sitting near the stage in the Stalls Circle or Stalls needs to be warned that the wind (and smoke effects) reach those parts of the House - and the wind is cold.
  5. capybara
    I thought that the MacMillan 'festival' ended on a real high last night. The conversation about dancing Mayerling at the Swiss Church reminded us of the unique artistry of Irek Mukhamedov in particular. Then the leads in The Judas Tree (Gartside, Hamilton, Ball, and Richardson) were amazing, as was Francisco Serrano (the workman who has an early solo). The Song of the Earth from ENB was beautifully done, especially by the leading women (Rojo, Kou and Hedman). However, the applause seemed quite muted for both ballets, possibly because there might have been a higher proportion of newcomers to ballet and the ROH in the audience. This collective celebration of MacMillan has been a huge success. Many thanks to Kevin O'Hare for his vision, to his team for realising it, and to all the dancers for giving us such joy..
  6. capybara
    It was a Song of the Earth insight/masterclass at ENB.
  7. capybara
    I'm feeling a little bit uneasy about the more personal comments on this thread.
  8. capybara
    Twyla Tharp is the guest at the Ballet Association's AGM this Thursday, 2nd Nov.
  9. capybara
    Plus Irek Mukhamedov and Viviana Durante
  10. capybara
    But maybe Precious Adams had the slight edge?
  11. capybara
    I caught this programme by accident. A nice, natural perspective on a dancer's life from Ed Watson. It would have made good television, especially as they chatted in different locations.
  12. capybara
    There seemed to be a few 'late joiners' , some 'positioning' for the cameras and the studio also seemed to get over-crowded. I wonder why
  13. capybara
    I coped with Judas Tree far better last night than on Tuesday. I felt that the main cast (Gartside, Hamilton, Ball and Richardson) felt more like real people.They gave off great stage energy, danced amazingly and somehow helped me to understand the story and motivations better. AND the supporting men (some the same as in the first cast, some different) had certainly 'roughed up' and came across as more believable. I too was moved by Gloria, but then I always am - it's one of my very favourite pieces. The music is out of this world. Northern Ballet(notably Brookes-Daw and Ito) danced it well and, in common with the other visiting companies, demonstrated, I think, the benefit of having done several performances elsewhere before bringing it to the ROH stage.
  14. capybara
    The second MacMillan Triple never has had ENB down as participating.
  15. capybara
    What a shame Cesar Corrales won't be filmed as Hilarion.
  16. capybara
    Your thoughts on Judas Tree mirror mine exactly, Sim. I was rather bored and came to the conclusion that Irek Mukhamedov's transcendent stage presence must have swayed my judgement all those years ago. I felt that the men (a great mix of RB ranks and a terrific band of dancers) mostly looked more like people a girl's mother would want her to marry than the dodgy lot they were supposed to be.
  17. capybara
    Unfortunately, the casting has not been announced yet. I agree with you, LinMM, that this makes booking difficult, especially at a time of year when there are competing claims on one's decisions.
  18. capybara
    Three hours 40 minutes, I think.
  19. capybara
    I felt that 'Song' transferred to the ROH stage really well with a beautifully nuanced performance from Erina Takahashi. Unfortunately, Jeffrey Cirio's diminutive stature meant for me that The Messenger of Death did not have the feeling of being 'ever present' which the role requires. The very well-coordinated corps had clearly benefited from getting 14 performances in the regions under their belts but the quality of movement from Ken Saruhashi, Erik Woolhouse, Giorgio Garrett, and Precious Adams again caught one's eye. The soloist pieces from Senri Kou, Tiffany Hedman and Aitor Arrieta in the 3rd and 4th Songs shone. And a big WOW to the singers, orchestra and Gavin Sutherland.
  20. capybara
    Unless I am very much mistaken, Shade, the leads were Ekaterina Krysanova and Igor Tsvirko. The two wonderful dancers you mentioned only performed the slave pas de deux in Act 1.
  21. capybara
    It's gone now. MIssed the opportunity to watch again!
  22. capybara
    I'm afraid that I was rather naughty and asked (nicely, I hope) what must have been the same gentleman in Manchester whether he was 'on commission' in relation to programme sales. Well.......... I've never found cast sheets so jealously guarded or so scarce. Many 'proper' programmes did not contain them. And, after all, they are supposed to give members of the audience the opportunity to vote for their favourite dancer. So they are clearly meant to be available to everyone. Anyway, that perspective eventually resulted in a release of one copy between 5 people! I So I was able to return to my seat feeling quite triumphant!
  23. capybara
    I do agree agree about Muntagirov. Those of us who were lucky enough to see him dancing with ENB know how versatile he is. As the leading man in Jeux, who seems to be dancing all of the time, he is dramatically stunning and his dancing in an unusual style, which looks extremely difficult to my amateur eye, is just as amazing as in the classics. I loved Mendizabal as the Queen of Hearts. She is very slight of frame but very big in her interpretation. Terrific.
  24. capybara
    There were similar problems in Manchester. Insufficient cast sheets and patchy availability of the leaflet with the words.
  25. capybara
    So different from ENB's version which was purchased from the Bolshoi many moons ago. Despite Ratmansky emphasising the dance aspects in his interval interview, I feel that his and Burlaka's reliance on reconstruction has limited the storyline, the dancing and the characterisation - as compared with the ENB and Mariinsky productions. For example, Lankendem is not a dancer but a character actor hobbling around; the first 'slave' pas de deux is danced not by Lankendem and Gulnare but by a couple who appear from nowhere; Birbanto (the leader of the pirates) is very sketchily drawn so his plotting against Conrad gets lost in the pirates' skirts. But I'm sure this kind of thing was said (possibly by me!) when the Bolshoi was in London last year. However, the dancing was glorious, especially from the women. Is there anyone else anywhere who can fouettee like Krysanova? And the corps in the Jardin Animee - WOW!
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