Anneliese

Had a wonderful afternoon. Although Cervera was a tiny bit wobbly in his first solo, and there was one fluffed oboe bar, I was verging on tears of joy throughout (apart from when I realised the downside of being on the side of the stalls circle when I tried to move my head the other way lol when it was tears of pain). Him Indoors said it was absolutely the best ballet experience he'd had and just RAVED about Morera. We were sitting so close to the stage we caught every nuance - although I prefer Collier's final variation in the harvest PDD (just something not quite as pretty there) she was fabulous throughout - and I caught some lovely business with the money and then again with the wine in Act II. Even pony choreography was included (anyone else see the pas de cheval he did?)... and the band were wonderful, I caught details of orchestration that I never had before. Not 100% convinced by Alain (don't really think I ever am...) but no 1 son thought he was the star of the show and wants a red umbrella. Gary Avis was maybe OTT as the notary but I didn't care - he's brilliant whatever he does - and Alastair Marriott is one of THE BEST drag acts in ballet (or any other art form). Maybe again he overplayed a little, but what I love about him is (a) he's a totally convincing woman and ( no matter how much he plays to the gallery, his relationship with Lise is completely genuine. Another point which was very clear in this instantiation was Lise's very real worry when Simone locks her in her room - she was panic-stricken. Perhaps Morera's deranged flexed foot variation was a little TOO deranged; but when all's said and done there's only one Lesley Collier, isn't there? And she DID look at the ribbon while she danced with it. Props admirably handled, hens stole the show; singing at the end was underwhelming, need to get Mary King in there to coach the corps I think, but this is me being ultra picky. I'm so glad I was there, and it's not a performance I'll forget in a hurry. What's not to love? I might be the only person in the world who is moved to tears by the music but I don't care, I would be completely happy if Fille was my only DVD! Just one little thing - anyone else think Laura Morera is Bettany Hughes' long-lost twin???

I'm off on Saturday afternoon en famille :-) first time in over a year! Looking forward to it, and v excited to see Morera and Cervera who I expect will be great.