capybara

This is a very thought provoking topic and I respond as one who supports two ‘home teams’ (the RB and ENB) as, noticeably, do many posters on this forum (RB/BRB; BRB/NBT etc.). I also try to see most programmes by visiting companies and find the comparisons with British ones illuminating and helpful in keeping me ‘grounded’. I need such ‘reality checks’ because I know that, in common with many others, I am really quite indulgent where my ‘home teams’ are concerned. I think that this is because: we feel that we ‘know’ the dancers even if that sense is borne solely of seeing them regularly on stage (and this applies as much to the Corps as to Principals and Soloists) we derive very real pleasure from seeing talented young dancers essaying their early roles and developing over time into fine artistes we feel a dramatic connection with certain dancers and, once we feel we have seen their souls and they have aroused our emotions, we tend to follow their repertoire and performances avidly we want, and have the opportunity to, attend multiple performances and savour the interpretations of several casts we get to know and love the repertoire we eagerly anticipate new works and an introduction to unfamiliar pieces in the knowledge that the dancers will be familiar to us and thus help us embrace the unfamiliar. Ballet-going thus becomes a very personalised thing which comes to shape our lives and influence our thinking in a way that attending a series of performances by visiting companies would not do. [i have to say, however, that some performances, perhaps by the Russians in particular – for example, recently, Ekaterina Kondaurova in Firebird which has been mentioned above – leave an indelible image which shapes one’s view of a role, perhaps for ever.] There are, of course, some fans who can appear a touch obsessed with individual dancers or a little biased or blinkered in their appraisal of performances or companies. But, generally, I don’t think that having a ‘home team’ means we lose our critical faculties. After all, along with others and however rosy-tinted our spectacles, it seemed to us that the corps for Raymonda was not looking its best at the last performance on Friday. But, hey, here’s to more ENB Sleeping Beauties and RB Onegins in the immediate future.

That is why I have hesitated to post on this site about what was otherwise a superlative company show by ENB on Wednesday night.

Most of the reviews of ENB's Sleeping Beauty included in John's press collection today illustrate well the gentle art of being critical of a performance (in this case Aurora) in terms of careful use of language and in a manner where praise of other aspects of the show takes away the sting.

Yes, the San Francisco Ballet brought it to Sadlers Wells last year.

Apparently it is being reported in the Russian Press that the Bolshoi Ballet Director, Sergei Filin, is saying that Natalia Osipova and ivan vasiliev will appear with the Company in London this summer, notably in Flames of Paris. The Triple Bill is being announced in the same paper as including: McGregor's Rite, Possokov's Classical Symphony and Balanchine's Diamonds. Otherwise, the repertoire is given as previously reported on these pages. The press also alludes to the Bolshoi having sought to contract direct with Osipova and Vasiliev rather than through their US agents.

A fabulous last performance of Nutcracker from all the Company last night. The pdd from Daria and Vadim was out of this world and deservedly received a rave reception. Also terrific were Zsenia Ovsyannick as the sister/Mirliton, Shiori Kase and Jose Becerra in the Chinese and Russian dances respectively, Laurretta Summerscales as both a Lead Snowflake and a Lead Flower and (although uncredited in the programme) Juan Rodriguez and Anton Lukovkin as two of the strange 'show' characters at the first act party. The audience remains confused by the constant swapping between the Nephew (Prince) and the masked Nutcracker and this element needs sorting if the production is to return next Christmas. But one has to admire the professionalism of all concerned to deliver this exceptionally high quality after 36 performances with matinees as well as evening shows on most day for nearly 4 weeks. And there is no chance for a rest as Sleeping Beauty starts on Wednesday with Tamara, Vadim and Daria in the lead roles on the opening night.

I'm sure he's not going anywhere yet, Aileen! I just want to urge people to see him NOW!

It strikes me that there may be many users of this site who have not yet seen Vadim dance. I urge you to remedy that situation and book for one of the following ENB performances at the Coliseum: Tonight: Nutcracker with Daria 26th Dec matinee: Nutcracker with Daria 28th Dec: Nutcracker with Daria 5th Jan: Nutcracker with Daria 9th Jan: Beauty with Tamara 13th Jan matinee: Beauty with Tamara 19th Jan: Beauty with Tamara You will not be disappointed. Vadim is in demand all over the world now. Catch him and treasure him while you can.

Apologies for not doing this. I'll remember next time.

The casting is now on ENB's website in a user-friendly layout. www.ballet.org.uk

Please does anyone know what the position is with Lauren? Someone the other night mentioned her needing a further operation. I feel very concerned for her - and, of course, disappointed for us all that she is not on stage at the moment.

Anna Rose O'Sullivan and Marcelino Sambe, both from the Royal Ballet School and whom some of us will have spotted on stage during the last week, are now listed on the ROH website as Artists of The Royal Ballet.

Anna Rose O'Sullivan and Marcelino Sambe are both now listed as Artists of the Royal Ballet on the ROH website.

Have the names of the two new RB recruits been divulged officially yet?

Men might feel more at ease in a suit (and my husband thinks he wore one). But I seem to recall that some were wearing a more tunic-like garment - a bit akin to what Barry Wordsworth sports at RoH. My overall impression was that everyone was looking 'tidy' and that things weren't quite as relaxed as they are at Covent Garden.

Yuhue has danced The Lesson, La Fille Mal Gardee, Nikiya in La Bayadere and Cinderella wonderfully, each time showing her acting skills to great advantage. She is beautiful currently in the second cast of Requiem.

We first went there in February when snow was thick on the ground and in the air. I have the impression that people did not dress up for the Mariinsky quite as much as at the Bolshoi so you will feel quite OK in anything black. We actually found it quite warm inside the theatre.

I have only seen the Rehearsal and will not therefore comment on individual performances. But I thought it was a very well-balanced programme which, especially fittingly twenty years after his death, celebrated Kenneth MacMillan's genius wonderfully. It is good to see Las Hermanas (again!) and to experience its stylistic quirks. I agree about the ever-lengthening intervals but I could never miss out on Requiem which, as someone else has said here, is heart-rending.

I believe that the now ex RBS dancers plus another student were on stage today for the final rehearsal of the MacMillan Triple Bill.

Three small pieces of advice about going to this wonderful theatre: 1) If you are picking up tickets, arrive in good time to do so as it can become a bit of a crush at the last minute 2) Be sure to hand in your coats as the ushers are very fierce and debar you from going in if you are carrying them 3) If by chance you have tickets for near the front of the Stalls, take your seats earlyish and beware of the patrons who tend to sit in them in the hope that you won't turn up. [This can otherwise lead to a last-minute scramble as the offenders shuffle from one seat to another and eventually away!] I think that your forthcoming trip has made everyone on this site suitably envious. Ekaterina Kondaurova in Raymonda sounds an especially wonderful prospect. And don't forget to look out for Xander Parish! Enjoy - and please report back.

Alastair Marriott's Children of Adam falls into this category too.

ENB now has the main casting for The Nutcracker in Southampton next week on its website as follows: Apologies: what I cut and pasted was virtually illegible. What it says is: Thursday 22 November: Oliviera/Gruzdyev (mat); Klimentova/Muntagirov (eve) Friday 23 November: Takahashi/Konvalina Saturday 24 November: Rojo/Berlanga (mat); Klimentova/Muntagirov (eve) Sunday 25 November: Takahashi/Konvalina (mat)

It still is and the forms on which the audience can vote for the People's Choice include the names of every member of the Company at Artist, First Artist, Junior Soloist, Soloist and First Soloist level.

You're right, JulieW. Laurretta was nominated for 2011 and Nancy for 2012. In the first year the competition was held, the nominees included the winner Anais Chalendard (a First Soloist who had achieved a similar rank in other companies before joining ENB and who was taking leading roles that year) and Crystal Costa, the winner of the audience (People's Choice) award (also a First Soloist who had been a Principal in Hong Kong and was dancing Giselle that year). So neither of them could be described as 'emerging'. However, since then, the emphasis seems to have been on the younger talent in the company - of which there is an abundance - including dancers who are beginning to get their chance to dance leading roles even though they are at the rank of Artist. Every one of the nominees this year is an Artist and two (Ken Suruhashi and Guilherme Menezes) are only in their second year in the company. Two of the others (Nancy Osbaldeston and Laurretta Summerscales) number among the best young British ballerinas of today. They are currently to be seen to advantage in a variety of 'fairy' roles in the Company's Sleeping Beauty If anyone reading this wants a really enjoyable evening out, with the opportunity to spot new talent, why not book up for the Queen Elizabeth Hall on 4th March 2013?

A fellow ballet enthusiast went into the Coli to enquire and was told the dates. I expect that they are not putting anything on the website until the repertory has been confirmed.