penelopesimpson

You make, as ever, some wonderful points. I would be hard pressed to think who else could do Leontes. I live in fear of Watson retiring, especially with the loss of Kobborg. I only hope that they bring back Mayerling one more time before he goes. Thank you, as ever, for sharing your knowlege.

No this was definitely an evening performance and it was the first night of the run. I think I have been misleading in describing it as his debut - I meant first night and that was three years ago - I think!

I'm with you, Rob. I absolutely love it and having now seen it three times, there is so much more to read into each performance. I think this is a ballet that is a lot more complex that it appears at first. The cruelty of Leontes is hard to take and then you get the exuberance of Act 2. I am thinking of going again if funds will allow.

Thanks for that. I didn't realise that was how the pricing worked but it seems fair. I don't begrudge a penny - it was a great night.

Take your point. I was quite surprised to see I had paid more for Winter's Tale than Giselle

Just back from a wonderful performance. Never mind bringing out the big guns - this was a veritable cannonade! Watson, Cuthbertson, Avis, Macrae, Stix-Brunell, Gartside, Yanowsky, Lamb... It was terrific. Corps fab, especially the guys. Only weak point, for me, was Stix-Brunell but that is nit-picking. This ballet has everything: shades of light and dark, pathos, humour and fabulous choreography although I cannot see who could replace Watson who is sublime right down to his fingertips. Not the greatest audience and some empty seats in the stalls which is such a pity. . I think this one is possibly a slow burn but definitely a keeper.

Surprised how many tickets there are still left for tonight. If only people knew what a wonderful ballet it is.

Me, too. It's been too long since I've seen Edward Watson.

Let me also add my thanks. I have learnt so much from posters whose knowledge is amazing.

I saw her Juliet and thought she was surprisingly good. She was never my favourite dancer and I have always been baffled by her fame. For me Sarah Wildor and Viviana Durante were the real thing.

Oh, I still get goosebumps from the night he made his debut. I have never seen a reception like it at RB. Total silence and then him on his own, almost prostrate with fatigue and us just clapping and stamping to our hands were numb. There was a special atmosphere in the house that night and it just got better and better as if we were all one person. Incredible.

Well, talking of smells (!) this pensioner feels physically sick every time some youngster gets on the train and proceeds to eat either a hamburger and fries or a kebab. Ghastly. But thats the price you pay for having public transport and until I can afford my own helicopter, I'll have to live with it if I want to go to the ballet.

I am with you there. Going to see him in Winter's Tale on Tuesday. Have you seen his Mayerling? That, for me, is great art

how tiresome for you...

I find this comment unkind and somewhat offensive. I am a 'pensioner' who loves ballet. I also love clothes and hairdo's and would not even know what Parma violets smell like. I have no idea what constitutes 'very elderly' in your eyes but how marvellous to see the not so young having a wonderful experience. I don't no who you think keeps ROH going - it certainly it isn't the under thirties! I am just happy to see the cinema's packed with enthusiastic audiences who are unable to attend the live performance. I am fortunate enough to do both and enjoy the fact that audiences are made up of people of all ages. There are many things I find unattractive about today's youth but wouldn't dream of being so unkind as to draw attention to them. Watching a fantastic ballet is made all the more enjoyable by being in the presence of others giving themselves up to the pleasure of the dance.

Was Johann ever in the running for the RB job?

Given that he didn't come on stage to bid them goodbye when they left RB, I think it unlikely. I always found it surprising that Acosta was allowed to choreograph and presumably given a free rein, whereas Kobborg who has obvious capabilities in this area, was not offered much. It is still a mystery to me why RB seemed not to care when they left.

I think half the audience were like that! I kept checking the website all day and then when I went to get a cast list I said 'Is she...?' and the lady said, yes, and I thought oh my god. It was wonderful wasn't it and how appreciative the audience were.

I saw Farouk in Corsaire with Altynai Asylmurotova. I think the Kirov were over here and I got given tickets being a ballet novice then. I thought I had died and gone to heaven they were totally incredible and I can still remember it in detail. He had that exoticism that pulled you in and she was probably the best I've ever seen.

Farouk Ruzimahtov (apologies if spelling is wrong), Mukhamedov. Johan Kobborg and Edward Watson with Alexander Campbell coming up fast

So well described, Janet. On the train going up to London this afternoon to see Giselle I was thinking about what it is that, for me, makes a great ballerina and found myself stumped for a description. I know I adore Cojocaru, feel pretty much the same about Hayward and was similarly moved by Asylmuratova but I can't really say why. Osipova tonight was sublime and I love Rojo but neither give me the goosebumps of the other three. I'd probably add Viviana Durante to that grouping. With the men, Edward Watson moves me whatever he does. Why is it that Sarah Lamb doesn't twang my heartstrings, despite her being a wonderful dancer? Ditto the Nunez/Soares partnership. Seems to me it is that indescribable something, probably akin to how people who saw Fonteyn dance felt.

Just got back and still on a high from tonight. I LOVED it. Osipova was absolutely terrific and worth the wait (and boy have I waited...!) And the bonus of having Marianela as well. That first moment when they're both on stage together was spellbinding. Corps on top form. Yes, Golding isn't the most dramatic of performers but I thought he acquitted himself better than I'd hoped and made a competent partner for Osipova. No, there wasn't a lot of chemistry but I don't really expect this from Matthew and he gave his partner a secure base from which she could shine. I preferred him to Bonelli whom I saw with Cuthbertson a couple of weeks ago and thought he was weak. I feel for Golding who, for better or worse, has landed in a company where perhaps he is not an obvious fit. However, he is better with Osipova than when I saw him with Hayward which I thought was a mismatch. For me a fabulous evening with a generous audience.

I know. Need to get out more! Have booked for Albert Hall, though.

Sorry, it's just that I only ever get to ROH so that's why

People didn't seem to like the ballet which I didn't understand.