JennyTaylor

The 3rd performance in Madrid tonight with Sarah and Ryo, received another standing ovation at the end. I'm so enjoying this, my first ever RB tour. It's a journey, because it feels so different from seeing the company in the ROH. It's like an away match and I'm really anxious for them to do well every night and impress the Madrid patrons. They are playing to full houses each night and it seems the Spaniards are loving it, which is marvellous. The casts are following the same pattern as in London, although obviously there are always tweaks. It's a very challenging schedule with 2 performances tomorrow and the final one on Sunday. The dancers will deserve medals at the end!

Back to Von Rothbart - so, he definitely goes off the stage to the left as we look at it, and tonight, I think the Von Rothbart double was also in that same mix of people at the back of the stage and then climbed up the stairs with the crown before being lit when he was half way up. He definitely did not come down from above. So, no need for 2 crowns. .

I'm in Madrid to see the RB Swan Lake tour. So far we have had seen 2 performances and so far it is an unqualified success with Spanish audiences. The first night was the all star first cast with Marianela and Vadim on top, top form. A first class performance from the entire cast resulted in a standing ovation at the end - everyone standing - stalls / all levels of the theatre. A great triumph for Liam Scarlett who also appeared to take a bow at the end. Last night was Yasmin and Matthew Ball as a result of a Osipova injury. Great to see these 2 paired together again and their Act 4 in particular, showed why their Romeo and Juliet was so acclaimed. Deep heartbreak was depicted so emotionally with a few extra touches of grief and anguish added from the norm. Absolutely marvellous. Goose bump time. Act 3 not quite so powerful as other pairings though I must mention the beautiful, controlled hold by Yasmin. Other highlights include James Hay as Benno last night, plus we are seeing more of Gary Avis's Von Rothbart, which is always a delight. Everyone who shone in London, continues to shine here - a great advert for the RB.

I think he runs off the stage to the left (as we look at the stage) - looked really carefully last night. Body double is on the stairs as far as I can see. I will look again tonight.

Yes, I saw it last night. Along with Luca Acri as Benno, Kristen McNally as the Queen, Thomas Whitehead as V-R, and Mayara Magri and Meaghan Grace Hinkis as the princesses. I thought Sarah and Ryo danced extremely well, but lacked any chemistry, so I really wasn't moved. Overall the performance had less impact on me that Marianela/Vadim, but I feel it would be difficult to surpass their performance. I'm interested to read from other reviews that some choreography has been changed (I hesitate to say dumbed down as that seems rude considering the high quality of dance being performed) and I felt this was the case last night too. Perhaps we should accept that Vadim and Alexander Campbell are in a class of their own and have done with it. I thought the quality of all the Act 3 national dances was high, and for me, this is one of the highlights of the production, in that this section of the ballet has really upped it's game. Tierney Heap shone as the Hungarian Princess. Overall, the audience was extremely appreciative of the dancers, the set and the costumes, with a round of applause at the start of Act 3. Having sat in the Orch Stalls last night, but also in the Grand Tier and Amphi, this production is definitely better viewed higher in the theatre, to get the full impact of the corps swans and the beautiful patterns they produce. Sarah gave it her all, especially in the Act 3 high profile solos/ fouettes. As she went for attack and speed, she didn't quite nail it on the spot, but that is being extremely picky. Ryo was impressive here too. I do like the additional scope given to Benno and the 2 princesses and Luca Acri gave it his best as Benno. Nice to see him back in a role lack this after so much injury.

I would also like to know more details of future casts. Who is playing major roles along with the 2 principals eg. Benno, 2 princesses, von Rothbart. Anyone have any information please? o

I sat there last week - A45 - and it was absolutely fine - and I'm 5'1"

Let's just say, this is a new production, so there are some new and enhanced items

I saw the rehearsal with Marianela/Vadim plus Francesca Hayward, Alexander Campbell and Akane Takada in major roles. I'm not going to do any spoilers before tomorrow, but I was extremely happy with everything I saw, the scenery, the costumes. Marianela and Vadim were stunning - and that's at a rehearsal. I'm so happy I have a ticket for tomorrow

Capes - Romeo and Juliet / Manon - something very romantic about them. Once the new Swan Lake is launched, I suspect there will be many "must haves". Absolutely sumptuous costumes (no spoilers here though). Saw rehearsal today

Orchestra stalls is not necessarily the best viewing - especially for heads. I take my coat to sit on - I'm 5' 1" - but it doesn't always do the trick. The rake is better further back than at the front. Row H sides is best - above the stair wells.

I'm not surprised this thread has 72 pages as I'm tempted to add to it, every time I attend a ballet. Today, I had 2 young boys in front of me - middle of Orchestra Stalls Row G. So top price seats. They were clearly not interested in the ballet at all, so fidgeted throughout and talked to each other , disturbing the people in front, who turned round on several occasions. I think mother took one son plus a friend. Mother was clearly a ballet fan, but why, oh why, oh why. What a total waste of money, time as well as being an annoyance to everyone around them. I was also distracted and had to work really hard not to be. The only saving grace was that they were below my eye-line of the stage, so if I concentrated really hard on the stage, I could manage to avoid them for most of the time. Good job what was happening on the stage was so mesmerising. Then, of course, we come to the content of the ballet they had been taken to see. Women degraded, debauched and raped - not suitable content for 1 second for 2 small boys. Aaarrhhh!

I went this afternoon too, so this was a repeat for me of seeing this cast. Francesca Hayward was phenomenal - simply went to another level of performance. Not just the dancing but the acting too. We have something so special here. I'm not sure I can rave about Alexander Campbell much more but I suppose I can try. His Lescaut included yet more little nuances and my eyes were always drawn to him when he was on stage. Dancing impeccable as always. Oh to see these two as the lead pairing. What a joy that would be. With James Hay as Lescaut. That being said, I warmed to Bonelli this afternoon, having been luke warm on other occasions. I think he plays it traditionally straight - Campbell, for example was much more anguished and emotional in the role, and Bolle more ardent, but I saw a lot more emotion in Bonelli today than on other occasions. I enjoyed the whole performance tremendously. As we are now late in the programme, everyone knows their part and plays it to the full. Love Claire Calvert as the mistress - I think she is the best one in the current run. It's also great to see so many high potential male dancers as the Gentlemen and Clients.

My first visit to Covent Garden was to see Beryl Grey in Swan Lake. I was 4 years old. Amazingly, I can remember glimpses and the experience stayed with me for life.

Well, the music gives the queue, so you have to know that, and then he enters from the middle right hand wing as you are looking at the stage, although I think one Des Grieux came from the far right hand. It is difficult to spot and I'm always determined to do it, so this thread has really resonated with me. I note, that in all the performances I've seen this time round. poor Des Grieux hasn't had a single round of applause on entrance. Mind you, the Manon's haven't fared much better. Is this something that's fading out?

If there's a James Hay fan club, I'm joining it too. Mesmerising performance last night along with the rest of the cast - marvellous. I too, found my eyes drawn to him whenever he was on stage. There were so many acting nuances to watch, let alone the dancing. That made a conundrum, as Alexander Campbell also shone again as Des Grieux, so I was also fixated on him too. What I like about seeing different casts in the a ballet such as this, is the different characterisations the bring to the role. The ballet steps might be the same, but the interpretation changes. So, this Des Grieux was anguished, even at his happiest times when falling in love with Manon and dancing with her. There were no smiles, as there were with Bolle for example: he was ardent, extremely passionate and serious. I loved both interpretations. Bennet Gartside has injured his wrist, hence his non appearance last night

I was in the House last night for the performance, slightly further back than my normal viewing (Row R Orch Stalls)) which may have affected my reaction to the proceedings. I do like to be close. (no comments please on how lucky I am to be in Row R - I KNOW!) I really enjoyed the performance overall, but it didn't reach the ultimate heights for me. Vadim is glorious at being romantic and a marvellous dancer, so much to love here. I'm very happy to watch him at any time / place. I don't really take to Sarah Lamb, though did see a marvellous Manon with her and Rupert Pennefather a few years ago which was sublime. I think the partnership between her and Vadim warmed up and Act 3 pdd was excellent and had my spine tingling. I am looking at this from comparison to incredible heights I have seen - Guillem/Cope, Zanowsky/Bolle/ Nunez/ Bolle - Campbell/ Hayward in anything. I was interested in Act 2, to see her seemingly warming to Des Grieux (by the card table on the right hand side of the stage) much earlier than other Manon's. I remember Roberto Bolle mouthing Amore, Amore to Marianela and thinking - how can you reject that!! Sarah was much more receptive to Vadim. It made for good theatre as she then partially rejected GM, but then played along with him. So much to see and who to watch - quite a challenge. I did like Ryoichi Hirano as Lescaut, particularly in the drunken scenes - all in the eye of the beholder. I'm now a definite James Hay fan, so had to watch the Beggar Chief in detail - didn't disappoint. .. and then of course, there is Gary Avis as Monsieur GM. So much more detail and characterisation. I was glued. I don't think I have seen him play in so much detail before. So, I think this is my favourite of all ballets, probably, underlined by the number of times I have booked for this run. I haven't been to see the current triple bill at all - because I know it would not provide me with the same emotional experience - and I love watching the Royal Ballet. I'm taking my 16 year old step grand-daughter tomorrow as a birthday treat. Let's hope she enjoys it too. It's a glorious cast.

I was there last night and wholeheartedly agree with all the comments about Francesca Hayward's performance. This was on another plane from anything seen from her previously, and bearing in mind the standard which she has already set, this was super special. I'd like to mention Thomas Whitehead's Monsieur GM. I felt the dynamics were so much stronger between Hayward / Campbell and GM than in any other performance in which Hayward has featured and for me, this made a big difference overall. I'm still not completely sold on Bonelli as Des Grieux but he certainly gave it his all with increasing intensity as the performance progressed. All these Manons should carry a health warning. I can't sleep afterwards as I am so excited!

I managed to get a late ticket for this show as soon as I knew Alexander Campbell was dancing Des Grieux... and I wasn't disappointed. I love seeing different interpretations, and Alexander really went for it tonight as an agonised and passionate Des Grieux. So, a more overtly emotional Des Grieux than some others we have seen. This, complemented by James Hay's Lescuat made it a night to remember. The dynamics between the two were fascinating and I think they managed to pull off the most realistic interaction at the end of Act 1 that I have yet seen.

Spot on! I was close to the stage and I was glued. A superb Lescaut both in dancing and magnetic acting.

I went to last night's performance and cannot praise Alexander Campbell too highly. It was a superb portrayal of Lescaut and I enjoyed it hugely. I had warmed to Marcellino Sambe last week, but this was on a completely different level in terms of stage presence, acting and dancing. For me, the Hayward/ Bonelli partnership did not take off. Nothing they did wrong, but after the extraordinary heights of Nunez/Bolle last week I didn't feel any real connection. Hayward is a beautiful dancer and I love watching her lyricism, but no spine tingles for me last night. One amusing interchange I noticed last night: Campbell as Lescaut called for a chair from one of the lackeys in Act 1. When it arrived, he said thank you. I suspect Lescaut in character, would not have said thank you, so that was a "Campbell" moment!

Can I just say - Marianela Nunez and Roberto Bolle - stunning. Even more extra curtain calls than last week.

I picked up a return for Alexander Campbell's first performance as Des Grieux too!

After Monday's Triple Bill debacle for me (hated it if I am honest), I am back in ballet heaven tonight with Roberto Bolle and Marianela Nunez. So pleased that Bolle was exported in to dance with Marianela as they have THAT connection and I just sat and drooled throughout. Goosebumps came with the first PDD and remained/ increased throughout. I felt Beatriz and Marcelino grew into their roles and their Act 2 was particularly impressive. Act 1 a little slow to take off and I do wish more attention was paid to the very first dance steps for Lescaut and his Mistress. Marcelino hardly got his feet off the ground - please watch David Wall and Monica Mason. That irritated me and took some time to recover. Gary Avis, of course, triumphed as usual with his portrayal of the Gaoler. On Twitter, someone has commented that how can Gary convince as both Drosselmeyer and the Gaoler - he's equally brilliant as both good and evil, and of course, you know it's him, but he still becomes the character he's playing and totally believable. Genius. There is no better Monsieur GM too - pity he can't play both roles at the same time. So happy to be on such a high and so happy I have a ticket for the same performance on Monday. Even more happy that Alexander Campbell is to dance Des Grieux

I went last night and I'm afraid I was bored. I found nothing in which I could engage emotionally. I'm sure there was nothing wrong with the dancing, I just didn't like the content. I should stick to my principles and not book for modern triple bills. Not to my taste. The rest of the audience seemed happy enough though.