Tony Newcombe

FionaM in reply to your question about Miki Mizutani dancing a soloist role. This is normal with BRB particularly while touring. Yu Kurihara danced Aurora, Fairy of Joy(Lilac Fairy solo) and the Lilac Fairy in the space of a couple of days. I enjoyed your review which coincided with my thoughts. The partnering by the four princes did seem a bit strained during the Rose Adagio scene which probably led to the slight mishap you mentioned. I think I know which Prince it was partnering her at the time and I am quite sure it would have caused much discussion post performance

Replaced by Miki Mizutani and Yu Kurihara. No problems for me. Another chance to see these two wonderful dancers. Yu will dancing opening and closing night performances

I’d like to add to the double double story. Brandon Lawrence did 3 of these in BRBs Swan Lake a couple of years ago. I was told by a very senior person in BRB that Carlos had suggested that he could should do them. 

BRB’s main main full length ballet next year is Cinderella. After this evenings Music and Dance offering Swan Lake has to follow the year after. TonightYu Kurihara was absolutely phenomenal as Odile in the Black Act Pas de deux. Lachlan Monaghan’s Siegfried didn’t stand a chance. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. This young lady is something very special

It was

After tonight’s Sleeping Beauty performance in Plymouth, Carlos Acosta came on stage and announced the promotion of Beatrice Parma to Principal Dancer with BRB. 

I know I have mentioned it earlier on this thread, but do go and see Yu Kurihara and Lachlan Monaghan on the first night. Yu is a really special Aurora.  She is also dancing the Lilac Fairy and the Fairy of Joy(I.e Lilac Fairy variation) in this production.

1 hour ago, Odyssey said:

Interesting reading people’s comments about dancers who made principal with limited experience or reputation in the classical repertoire but who have excelled in twentieth / twenty first century choreography. It really  makes me wonder about Hamilton and why she has been unable to progress her career with the Royal to the highest rank. 

Presently, the only non-principal dancer to have danced Mary Vetsera, Juliet

and Manon. 

In reply to Janet above. Shang has danced Aurora before. It was in 2018. Some wonderful comments about some of the more junior dancers. Reina Fuchigami and Gus Payne danced the “Bluebird” again tonight and were very good. Also Reina danced the Songbird Fairy this afternoon and I think she dances it as well as anybody in the two Royal Companies. She has blossomed since Carlos took over as Director. Time for couple of days rest from Beauty. Still another performance to come from Kurihara and Monaghan. Can’t wait

And they did it again at this afternoon’s matinee. Absolutely divine. With next year’s rep including Fille and Cinderella, it

is going to be wonderful to watch Miss Kurihara’s progress. She really is very special

At BRB Principal dancers have always danced multiple roles in Beauty. I remember Natasha Oughtred

dancing a Prologue Fairy, Princess Florine and Aurora in the same run.

Agree with Anna’s comments. I would like to suggest to the London audience, that while Alina Cojocaru will be a popular

choice, do go and see Yu Kurihara on the first night if possible. This afternoon she took on the mime role of the Lilac Fairy and was outstanding. She just has this magical aura about her when on stage.

I’m looking forward to the Corsaire pas de trios. Marianna Tsembenhoi, Luca Acri and Vladyslav Bosenko

15 minutes ago, alison said:

When did Cuthbertson dance Kitri?

22 Feb 2019 and 22 March 2019

Let’s not forget their Don Q. The big lift went on for so long that the audience started to laugh and then could only applaud.

28 minutes ago, Jan McNulty said:

 

Miss Hirata is now Komodo Hirata according to the Telegraph!

 

I can’t wait to read your reports.

Which version ofAuto Correct are they using!

4 hours ago, RobR said:

I see from tonight’s cast list that Itziar Mendizabal is Lescaut’s mistress tonight.

 

I was very impressed by her performance in the general (tbh I’m always impressed by her) so I’m sure those going tonight will enjoy her dancing and acting.

She was on fire tonight. Technically superb and very funny in the drunken scene

1 hour ago, Dawnstar said:

 

Gosh, I didn't think of Kobborg as a possibility. I can't imagine him as Widow Simone. Coleman on the other hand I can't imagine as Colas because I've only seen him in character roles. Is it O'Hare who danced Colas, Widow Simone and Alain? I'm sure someone doing so was mentioned on here fairly recently but I'm not vertain if it was him or someone else.

 

Unfortunately they're building a new station just south of Cambridge & it's not due to be completed until some time in 2025.

Coleman as Colas with Collier as Lise Video about 1980. Superb. 

Just before pandemic lockdown, BRB took their Evening of Music and Dance to Belfast.

The highlight of the evening I attended was seeing Melissa and Brandon Lawrence dancing

the Reconciliation Pas de Deux from The Dream. 
There is a Saturday matinee performance of the gala so it may well be possible to fly in

see the gala and fly home on the same day.

That first photograph says it all. I got the impression that if Matt had not been there, she would have collapsed.  Truly monumental performance by both dancers, not forgetting Acri, Mendizabal and Avis. Two performances so far with two fabulous casts.

Most significant piece of casting to me is that of Yu Kurihara. She appears to be dancing at all the venues.

I first saw her at the annual RB School performance when they did the Prologue from Sleeping Beauty.

Another dancer for the Royal I thought. But no she went Birmingham and danced leading role in Tackett’s 

Azuli Sky at the Birmingham Rep. Pandemic had started. Promotion was rapid. Artist to Solost to First Soloist.

then she was out virtually for a whole year. My feeling is after Beauty she will become a Principal. It could happen earlier.

she is a wonderful talent and if can attend one of the venues do watch her. Of course Mizutani, Shang, Gittens, Hirata. And Parma

are also must see Auroras. And let’s not forget Samara Downs. I feel this might be a sort of farewell to the main stage.

anyone who saw her Snow Fairy at the Royal Albert Hall a couple of years will know what a fine dancer she is. Topic of conversation during the interval of that Nutcracker was “What is she on”. She was sensational!

Marianna. I first saw her in her 3rd year at the Upper School. It was a few months before shutdown. It was open day for Friends of the School and I was accompanied by a ex dance teacher friend. The students were having their assessments the next week and were dancing solos that they would be using for the assessment. Marianna chose to a Kitri solo from Don Q. My friend and I looked at each other. This was something special. Really interesting was what was going on when she wasn’t dancing. A lot of the students spent a lot of time on their mobile phones when not actively involved. Marianna spent her time in the corner at the mirror when not involved. It became obvious that she was really serious. It has been incredibly warming to watch her progress and I am sure she has a wonderful future with the company

BRB schedule for 2024 includes Southampton, Salford, Sunderland, Plymouth, Bristol and London ( Sadlers Wells & Royal Albert Hall) !

1 hour ago, Dawnstar said:

 

What I'm not keen about Fritz not flying but freezing instead is that for me it dilutes the impact of everyone freezing a short time later when the angel crosses the stage.

Health and Safety!!!???

23 minutes ago, Emeralds said:

There can't be that many dancers by the fairly distinctive name of Poppy Frankel dancing classical ballet in Britain? I hope it's Poppy Frankel from ENB whom I  remember in small roles who was excellent in ENB's productions. I guess we'll know soon enough, hopefully. I remember Isabella Gasparini going from Northern Ballet to English National Ballet to Royal Ballet (or Leanne Benjamin dancing at SWRB/BRB then ENB then RB), so company hopping can be auspicious. 😀 

Leanne ENB via Berlin then RB