penelopesimpson

How strange. I supposed its all the name of accessibility. Other buzz words are available.

Gok Wan? Mystified

They are taking returns. I took some Anna Karenina back yesterday

Obviously Worthing doesn't do it for them!

Yes, was completely puzzled why Desdemona was coming up from the bowels of the earth! Also, The White Company bed was a tad odd but otherwise it was wonderful. I was blown away and in seventh heaven. JK has less of a stage presence than I'd expected but he was totally believable and I loved the sets, the lighting and everything - with the exception of the tray of glasses that fell over with a tremendous crash in one of the right-hand boxes at the beginning of Act 3. I hadn't realised that people could take drinks in but my goodness did they get some dirty looks! Another fantastic night at ROH. My cup has truly overflowed this year.

Hear, hear. Is Francesca not British, then?

Would that be since Francesca Hayward?

Yes, Liu was wonderful.. I admired Lindstrom's gusty power but I find her voice just a little sour/shrill - searches for right words. But I could happily have gone back the next day. Did you notice how much the audience liked it - the attention span and enthusiasm was lovely.

It was a strange experience. It was billed as a Festival but had the angry overtones of a protest - but apparently without anything to protest about. Many of my friends are gay but they are tolerant of others and don't seem to have this belief that heterosexuals are there to be jeered at or converted. Like feminism which so often has ugly overtones, the gay movement just seems to be so angry and intolerant of others which is hugely ironic. In in the end, unable to move through the West End, I called in to see a friend and went home later. The streets were filthy, literally awash with cans and bottles and refuse. I wonder what tourists think when they see our beautiful City turned over to a rabble?

You did, although I'm glad I went. The march/festival whatever started off three hours late so roads were closed virtually all day. Shopkeepers were going mad as were the police but, as usual, nobody dared say anything. When I crossed over Regent Street the atmosphere was horrible. If you weren't waving a flag or had your face painted, you were jostled and jeered at. Quite horrible. All, apparently, in the name of equality.

The sun is shining and I am going to Otello tonight so on top of the world - until I read your post! I found Turandot a lot of things on Saturday - hugely enjoyable, colourful, moving, shocking, uplifting - but not racist. If we start judging all our cultural heritage by today's standards we will have nothing left. Visual art, opera, dance, monuments, statues, commemorative plaques - must they all be subjected to the PC agenda and then expunged? I saw nothing racist in Turandot. Ping and Pong etc. are not to be taken seriously - they are the equivalent of clowns in the Western world and nobody has yet suggested we ban them although give it time. Butterfly is, in many ways, quite shocking, but this only heightens the drama and poignancy and it is, after all, simply depicting a custom that was prevalent at the time. It is bad enough that students have started air-brushing history, but if it starts happen in the world of art and culture, we are really in trouble. We should surely be defending our heritage - not necessarily the points of view expressed, but simply the artistic depiction. When I saw The Dream I felt a little uncomfortable about Oberon and Titania fighting over a young boy and couldn't help wondering just why it was that Oberon wanted the lad so much. But this is Shakespeare and maybe he intended to highlight homosexuality or maybe I am judging by today's standards. Whatever, I giggled a bit to myself and then moved on, immersing myself in something that was written a long time ago and is still hugely enjoyable. Perhaps it is my age but there are many like me who feel equally oppressed by today's 'right-on' attitude to everything. My Turandot visit was ruined by London being virtually a no-go area for Gay Pride. Buses were non-existent, taxis would not take you anywhere near the West End and eventually I had to hire a rickshaw (and this goes against my principles because I hate the idea of a human being transporting me) to get my 85 year-old companion who was wilting in the heat, to the station. I chose to walk and found myself jostled and intimidated in Regent Street by people shouting and yelling. Demonstrations are one thing, but nobody should be given the right to hold a so-called Festival in the middle of the West End. I have no interest in whether this was Gay Pride or any other special interest group; I am simply making the point that ordinary people like me should also have rights, and that includes the right to enjoy a pleasant day out in our capital city. Rant over. Lets enjoy art for what it is and not worry about whether it is PC or not.

And how! He was fabulous

Hairs on the back of my neck stood up. Absolutely wonderful. American guy next to me was crying.

It's too hot to argue, but I never saw anything that was unkind or malicious. If people feel passionately about something, they are going to want to express their feelings on a messageboard that devotes itself to that subject matter. Additionally, the board would be a dull place if all we said was variations on 'that was nice.' 'Out of order' implies that criticism or critiques are unacceptable. I am not knowlegable enough to comment on Matthew Golding's technical skills but I have to presume they were of a very high standard or he would not have been a Principal at one of the world's leading ballet companies. I admired his Onegin, was disappointed by his R&J and thought he made an excellent partner in Swan Lake. But he never moved me and, possibly spoiled for choice, I expect that from RB dancers. End of.

Interesting post, Alison. As a novice poster, can I would be interested to learn more about the technical deficiencies and why this is. Yes, I was also impressed with Onegin but the Romeo and Juliette with Francesca did not work for me. Would I be right in assuming Matthew was cast in the Ashton Triple bill?

James - I never saw anything that could be termed vitriolic. I think you have described the situation well by saying Matthew didn't quite fit. He is a lovely dancer with a statuesque elegance and princely presence, but his particular talents seemed to lie in a different direction to RB. Clearly he will be a magnificent addition to a company of the right style. I wish him onwards and upwards.

Biggest well done to Kevin O'Hare who continually 'gets it right.' The Royal Ballet is in peak condition and. I regard myself as incredibly lucky to be able to see them so regularly. Visits truly are the highlight of my life and bring great joy. Hugely deserving Congrats to Yasmine who thrills with her beautiful dancing. And to everybody else, you do us proud.

Just wondered if anyone else felt the orchestra was overpowering the singing yesterday? It was a great performance, hugely enjoyable, but...

Seems to be behind a paywall?

But presumably there will be a percentage held back for when General Booking opens?

Pres

What glorious photos. Akane has a fab dress on, and they all look so glamorous.

Okay, will do - but you set the bar high!

Probably the Darts correspondent. Sigh.

You may be right, but quite a few tickets didn't sell and I noticed they were discounting