JennyTaylor

I'm going on the 12th to see Alexander Campbell and Nehemiah Kish - specifically for those dancers, not the production. Otherwise, not tempted at all. Not surprised there are so many unsold tickets. Let's hope they give them all to the students

I've been sent all the info in advance but no mention of the actual content of the evening, nor indeed the dancers performing. So far, I've turned down the chance to buy a seat at the exhorbitant prices mentioned plus the associated social gatherings. I will have a look again when I can book on the website under "normal" conditions, but for me content is all.

I'm surprised no one has commented on the brevity of the cinema cast list and the omission of both Gary Avis and Thomas Whitehead from it. This really irritated me because I knew who they were, but obviously many in the audience didn't. I also found myself distracted by trying to spot who all the matadors were, because I could see they were very different from the rehearsal cast, and that distracted me from the overall dancing. I didn't recognise Tomas Mock (also not listed) but thought he was brilliant and was frustrated to have to wait right to the end of the broadcast to discover who he was. There's been some fuss on Twitter on this, with some comments now deleted. I really can't see why it has to be so minimal. They are missing the opportunity to publicise the RB dancers to a worldwide audience.

As far as I could see, this is the cast who danced this evening, yes. I enjoyed it very much in the cinema

Very true! .. and how interesting it was to hear all this comments and directions.

I went to the rehearsal of this cast and have a full cast list. With a big health warning, as this might not be accurate - here are some of the other characters: Lorenzo - Bennet Gartside Gamache - Thomas Whitehead 4 Rascals - Dyer, Acri, Junker, Serrano 6 Matadors - Dubreuil, Richardson, Donnelly, Brendsrod, Churches, Dixon 6 Gamache Women - Maeda, Atkins, Nikelski, Yu Hang, Townsend, Allnatt 8 Sequidilla couples Ladies: Rosco, Buvoli, Dean, Dias, Lubach, Katsura, Bradbury, Sasaki Men: Yudes, Sissens, Aumeer, Bell, O'Brien, Jun, Emerton, Lee Gary Avis played DonQ at the rehearsal, so appears to be have been replaced by Christopher Saunders. All other main characters are the same as the online rehearsal sheet.

I had an extraordinary experience in the new "open up" environment last week. I went to the rehearsal of DonQ and then had some time to kill before a business meeting elsewhere, so I set up in the new area at the far end, where I could power up my Laptop and do some serious work. Someone else joined me on the table for 4, also because power was available which was fine but then 2 of his colleagues also sat down and started to have a full board meeting! I had no problem with that as I was zoned out doing my work, but I began to realise they were talking about really confidential things - yes "open up" in all senses of the word. I let it go, as I wasn't interested, but when I got up to leave, I did say to them something along the lines of - it's really risky to talk about things like this when you have no idea who I am. I work for a company who constantly remind us not to have phone calls in public places (eg. trains) / beware of who can see your laptop etc etc. It's basic common sense. They were genuinely astonished - oh we thought you'd have no idea what we were talking about! Well, I'd have to be pretty thick if that was the case. At least I went to my business meeting with my Laptop fully charged and have proved that the ROH really has opened up.

Ah, he also had some sort of stick with him which looked as if he had come straight from the House of Commons and was Black Rod.

I'd also like to mention Luca Acri who I think is right back to top form now. I noticed this in the 2 Pigeons last week where I thought he shone and again tonight as one of the beggars/ artisans? Never quite sure what they are meant to be but there a 4 of them. Anyway, his dancing on both occasions was excellent.

Well that was just STUNNING from Marianela and Vadim. I wonder how they can reach even greater heights, but they did tonight. The choreography lends itself of course, but I feel privileged to have seen them dance this evening. It was a top class cast with many other excellent performances. Laura Morera as Mercedes and Anna-Rose O'Sullivan as Amour, stood out particularly for me and we also had the joy of Gary Avis as Lorenzo and Bennet Gartside camping it up as Gamache. A very well deserved prolonged standing ovation at the end too. I love this ballet, so joyful and feel good factor. Marianela's smile is so captivating and she was mischievous too. A total delight.

I've been wondering if it has been in his thoughts for many months. As you say, there have been some very emotional curtain calls and I remember Marianela pushing him forward to take a solo bow after a Winter's Tale performance, which slightly surprised me. I shall look out for his final performance as a Principal and hope to be there.

I saw him first quite by chance in the Sleeping Beauty with Tamara Rojo, when Jonathan Cope (I think) was injured. I'd never heard of him then, but I've followed him ever since. As everyone says, it's the character dancing roles which are his strength: Lescaut, Rudolf, Onegin, etc. I've always booked to see him specifically whenever these come up, so I feel lucky to have seen all these roles on many occasions. He's also a great partner I believe. Additionally, anything with Marianela always seemed to be special and I would highlight their Romeo and Juliet's together. Very good to hear that we will still see him next season - I shall look out for that. In the meantime, perhaps we will get Tybalt in forthcoming R&J's? Always good fun.

She danced again last night as a Leading Flower. At the cast curtain call Laura Morera, who was the Sugar Plum Fairy gave her a white rose from her bouquet and everyone who was on stage applauded. It was all very nice. So, I think we can now say that definitely was her final performance. So pleased I had spotted her name on the cast sheet and looked out for her specially. Happily, Bangorballetboy has posted a lovely photo on Instagram to capture the moment.

Yes, I had tickets for the 4th and the 10th --- aarrgghh

Thank you for posting - at least I know now. I've booked for Matthew Ball twice and am now disappointed twice. I have a ticket for the 10th - the only day he is NOT dancing (sigh)

I think there is going to be a London RB celebration but also suspect it may be expensive.

I've only ever been to the stage door once and then I lost my nerve when the dancers came out - perhaps it was because I was the only one there late at night! I did go in last week and leave a note of thanks for Marianela for something particular she had done, and I received the most lovely direct message on Twitter on the same day, in return. I have spoken to many of the RB dancers on several occasions at RB events and the Ballet Association and I have always found them to be gracious, charming and very polite - no exceptions. I find this delightful in these days of celebrity and the insights I have gained from my conversations with them have really enhanced my enjoyment of the ballets I see. One dancer did once tell me that no-one had ever stopped him outside the stage door and he considered this to be a "good thing". I'm ambivalent on this point of view - it can go many ways (and no, I'm not going to say who it was)

I like Clara and Hans-Peter being included in the speciality dances. I was brought up on version where Clara was a girl from the ballet school whose only purpose was to watch the other dancers in Act 2. Now, it is a major role for a ballerina and provides great opportunities for these dancers to shine

I've been reading this for a long time (26 pages) and was never quite sure of my reaction because I have now been to the ROH on many occasions since open up and my views tend to change with the context of my visits. Firstly, if the new downstairs area is low key or airport lounge - then it's still very expensive if you buy food or drink there. That being said, you don't have to - you can take your own. I like the fact that there are more seats available, so I can get there earlier than the 6pm opening time for an evening performance and have somewhere to sit, plus if I go to 2 performances on a Saturday, I don't need to wander the streets in between, I can just stay where I am. Much more comfortable and relaxed. I don't think downstairs (airport lounge) has any ambience at all, so doesn't represent ROH at all. The question is - does that matter. Personally, I could not see how it could attract anyone to actually buy tickets - if you can find the booking office. If I want ambience and how I always used to feel when I visit the ROH, then I go upstairs to the Paul Hamlyn Bar and enjoy it here, as I have always done. I accept the high prices (my choice) here although of course, you can still bring your own. For me, it's part of going to the ROH but I do take my own crisps/ chocolate instead of buying everything. In the new world, it's still a question of what time you need to get there to get a seat: 6pm is the latest time I leave it for safety. I haven't made it upstairs and outside yet although this used to be a favourite place of mine whatever the weather. So, I think the specialness is still there for me, but you have to get there early to enjoy it.

1. Vadim Muntagirov in everything he has done this year - utterly stunning and on a different level 2. Alexander Campbell as Des Grieux 3. Will Bracewell as Siegfried (Madrid) 4. Matthew Ball as Rudolf in Mayerling 5. Marianela Nunez in Swan Lake in particular, although stunning in everything else too

I can also tell you that the Von Rothbart double was Will Bracewell. I only found this out when I was in Madrid where we were given the full cast list (every dancer and actor) but I noticed when I watched it last night that you can recognise it's him right at the start of the ballet. He's also in the short excerpt right at the start of the programme where they are trying out costumes.

I took a 6 and 4 year old (my step grandchildren) It was the 4 year old's first ever ballet and we were worried she was too young, but no, she behaved perfectly, as did her sister. We did do a lot of prep beforehand explaining the story, the tree, the Sugar Plum fairy, Clara, Gary Avis's cloak and glitter etc etc. and they had taken it all in. The only wriggling in the seat was done because 4 year old wanted to see absolutely EVERYTHING on the stage. It was a totally magical experience. I cried 3 times through the sheer beauty and emotion - couldn't believe it...…..and this was a ballet I gave up on for some years because I thought it was boring. As an aside, this ballet has a lot of very well known music, but my favourites are the tree transformation scene and the pdd between Clara and Hans- Peter. I've downloaded on my phone and have been playing ever since. The dancing was sublime by all concerned. What better Christmas present could one have. .

I saw Anthony Dowell in the role, first time round

A glorious triple bill. Would that they were all like this! Certainly not tempted to sit out any ballet in the programme tonight. Les Patineurs a total delight with Marcelino Sambe nailing those quick turns right at the end as the curtain comes down. It's just so pretty and aesthetically pleasing. Then Winter Dreams where we had the delight of Marianela, Thiago and Gary Avis. I think some of the audience found this ballet a little hard going to start and you definitely need to know the story beforehand. The dancing was impeccable and apart from the aforesaid 3, I particularly enjoyed Will Bracewell as Lt Baron Tusenbach (in love with Yasmin Naghdi) who brought a lot of pathos to the role - a stark contrast to his smiling, happy skating in Les Patineurs, half an hour previously. He is one of my favourites since I was blown away by his Siegfreid. Roll on the 2 Pigeons and Romeo. The Concert was a delight from start to finish. Every member of the cast played their part superbly with Lauren a delight, Laura Morera nearly stealing the show, and the ballerina dance where they all go wrong absolutely priceless. A joy. Go see if you can

I also saw it on Twitter first. There was no mention when I bought my programme at 6:30ish. I went back and out of devilment asked for a cast change slip (7:15). I was told they didn't do them and there was a display board - well you really had to look carefully to find it. I was astonished they didn't announce it in the theatre at curtain up. These were 2 major cast changes. Really bad