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penelopesimpson

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  1. penelopesimpson
    It would seem that he doesn't care as long as the money comes in. This is the first year I haven't booked to see whichever Russian company is guesting. I just got fed up with the prices, and the messing around with the cast. I would have been well annoyed to have paid top dollar to watch a dancer who was unable to give of her best. I think Clement Crisp SHOULD review it and shame whoever let this happen.
  2. penelopesimpson
    Please let it come to London. I love the music, let alone the dance
  3. penelopesimpson
    I'm torn here. Salenko is a wonderful dancer and I have never failed to admire her performances. But it ends there - she never moves me. Perhaps controversially, I don't think the partnership with Macrae does either of them any favours. Yes, they turn in quite briliant performances which are technically flawless and exquisitely executed. But Macrae's strength is not his portrayal of emotion and I feel the same about Salenko which means the two of them together do not balance out. Of course I will always jump at the chance to see this great pairing but I think both dancers could do better work with other partners and I would love to see Macrae with some of the young dancers coming up through the ranks. Interestingly, for me his best partnership was with Osipova in Act 2 of Woolf Works when they were both on fire. Similarly, I adored him with Sarah Lamb in Winter's Tale. Both roles called for precision and attack and he was brilliant but I got little from his Romeo with Salenko.
  4. penelopesimpson
    Oh dear, I did rather well and it was quick and easy about 09.30. Like others, though, I didn't get the usual email warning about booking opening but had diary dated it. Next season will be more expensive with Woof Works and and as many Mayerlings as I can manage!
  5. penelopesimpson
    Fabulous post, Floss. I saw both Choe and Hayward in Rhapsody and you have encapsulate so precisely what made Hayward's performance special and Choe's simply very good. As an amateur critic it is not always easy for me to define my likes and dislikes other than to say what moves me emotionally.
  6. penelopesimpson
    Takada and Hay appeal to me, but I am torn because I am a terrific fan of Watson. I share your concerns that Osipova may not shine in this ballet and would like to see Morera. I am afraid I am not a friend so will have to wait for general booking. I think becoming a friend is on my Christmas list. With regard to Fille, I am keen on Hayward or perhaps Osipova. I adore Hayward who gives me the emotional pull I look for. I did, however, rate Osipova's Giselle and I adored her in Woolf Works where I thought she and Macrae were electric. I am less sure about the invitation but that was probably because I just didn't get anything from the actual ballet.
  7. penelopesimpson
    I have read and re-read this post of yours and it is fascinating. You continue to be a mine of information, brilliantly expressed and easy to understand. Please accept my heartfelt thanks. I have always loved ballet but work and family commitments prevented my going other than sporadically until a couple of years ago. I may have come to it late but perhaps mature love is the best kind!
  8. penelopesimpson
    Big thanks to everybody who has provided such excellent advice. Floss: any recommendations for which cast I should go for with Anastasia? I will take friend to Fille but want to see Annastasia myself.
  9. penelopesimpson
    I have never seen Anastasia and wonder if it is a good one to book to take a relative ballet novice to? I adore Macmillan and Mayerling is my all-time favourite, so I will go anyway. Friend likes ballet but I want her to see something really fab. Would also like opinions on Fille. I have never seen it as I tend to be less attracted to the lighter prices (didn't enjoy Quixote) and won't see Sleeping Beauty or Nutcracker again, but I gather from I've picked up on the enthusiasm on this site. Would welcome your thoughts.
  10. penelopesimpson
    Beautifully put Floss and thank-you and others for the information regarding the requirements of the Ashton repertoire. You are so right about multiple viewpoints. I enjoy Ms Choe in most things but for me she doesn't have that spontaneity, that breathless abandonment of self that can make a good performance great.
  11. penelopesimpson
    I certainly hope not although I intend to book for every one of his Mayerling's. Didn't Yanowsky dance Elizabeth with him last time around? I seem to remember her.
  12. penelopesimpson
    Floss, if you ever have the time or the inclination, I wonder if you could share your wisdom with this novice about the different requirements of an Ashton/Macmillan dancer. I am not as familiar with the Ashton repertoire as I am with Macmillan and would love to hear it explained in words I can understand.
  13. penelopesimpson
    Anti-Osipova sentiment? I haven't detected anything other than concern and sometimes irritation that she has been very injury prone. For my part she is a wonderful dancer who thrills her audience and am grateful she is at RB. However, I think Kevin O'Hare has made wise and bold choices and the RB will go from strength to strength.
  14. penelopesimpson
    Well done for being more frank than I dared be! Hayward and Golding as Romeo and Juliet was a washout for me. Here we had a lovely young girl falling passionately in love with....well, somebody who just grinned a lot and then struck a concerned pose when he remembered. I can see Goldings strengths, not least that he is probably a reliable partner, but in roles that call for great dramatic interpretation, he is entirely at sea. I do not know where this places him for the future.
  15. penelopesimpson
    I honestly cannot see why. Whichever point of view you take, the discussion has been informative and good humoured. If we are not to discuss such matters, what would the forum be for? Everybody seems to like Ms. Choe. I have always enjoyed her performances and admire her elegance. But Principals, surely, have to have that elusive thing called star quality and not all performers, however technically accomplished and however graceful, will have it. It may not be fair, it's just a fact. I want to watch Principals who just have that little bit of magic that sends shivers down your spine.
  16. penelopesimpson
    Brilliantly put, as always, FLOSS. I would hate for the company to employ 'Buggin's Turn' when choosing promotions and I think Kevin O'Hare has been bold in his choices. It is lovely to see so much RB home talent being rewarded rather than bringing in from outside. There is a wealth of talent coming through and it is truly an exciting time to be a fan.
  17. penelopesimpson
    I did not enjoy the Hayward/Golding partnership which I felt did neither of them any favours. The height disparity was particularly noticeable.
  18. penelopesimpson
    oh, go on. Please explain
  19. penelopesimpson
    Thank you so much for sharing that. I had the thought when I saw her and Hay in Rhspsody three/four years ago. There is something about her joyful lightness that inspires and she has that all elusive star quality. I was gutted when Kobborg and Cojocaru left. As luck would have it I was there on their last night and couldn't believe it when word came that that was the end. The audience were stunned and the ovations went on forever. For me, RB still doesn't have a pairing to match them but I hear great things of Naghdi and Ball. Francesca's Manon was wonderful and I saw the Alina style again. Frankie has everything I want in a ballerina - the technical ability combined with emotional connection. It is wonderful that she and I hope, in time Yasmine Naghdi, will be filling the top ranks at RB. Well done Frankie, and nicely done Kevin O' Hare.
  20. penelopesimpson
  21. penelopesimpson
    Could you elaborate? Thrilled for Campbell and Hayward, not sure about other two.
  22. penelopesimpson
    Well, that's three of us dancing down Floral Street! A fabulous evening when it was good to be alive and privileged to watch a great Ballet Company right at the top of their game. This is my third time at Winter's Tale and it just gets better. Ed Watson - is there anyone like him? The poison of jealousy seemed to ooze out of every pore. Lauren Cuthbertson was all light happy innocence and Zenaida Yanowksy was magnificent. I wish I had seen her in more roles, she is so expressive and elegant. Some, I know feel Act 2 needs pruning but for me I just love this demonstration of exuberant dancing. This is absolutely Macrae's role and he certainly owned the stage. And Sarah Lamb is all pert youth and just right for his part. I am not Lamb's biggest fan but she was terrific as was Valentino Zucchetti. I didn't think Stix-Brunell quite matched him, but that is a small quibble. This ballet has everything, not least the chance for so many wonderful dancers to use their talents in roles that exactly suit them. Please revive again soon.
  23. penelopesimpson
    My only comment is YUK, YUK, YUK.
  24. penelopesimpson
    You obviously read the Woolf Works programme!
  25. penelopesimpson
    There is nothing like him in Mayerling IMHO. When he is onstage I don't notice anyone else and I agree with your definition about his special magic. I hate that he is 40 and unlikely to go on forever. Intend to see all his Mayerlings!
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