SPD444

For all those who, like me, adore this wonderful human being and dancer, she is being interviewed at the Association's meeting on Wednesday the 26th August. Would not miss this for anything.

Sorry Sim, It was rather late at night for an old chap like me and it was from memory. No intention to mislead or cause offense.

Today's show was just so wonderful, what talent we have in the school. The programme was:- Mazurka des Enfants - after Paquita after Petipa Waltz and Pas d'Action from La Bayadere - Makarova after Petipa Third Movement - Scarlett Sechs Tanze - Kylian Chanson - Deane Les Rendezvous - Ashton Rush - Wheeldon Grand Defile - Gailene Stock and lots of others. Its a little unfair to signal anyone out above the others because at their ages they all have a special talent but I predict huge careers for:- Chisato Katsure and Francisco Serrano, both wonderful and he has such presence on the stage in La Bayadere The two leads in the third movement, not given any mention but wonderful for their ages in lower school. Giulia Frosi and Lukas Bjorneboe Braendsrod for their Sechs Tanze and Chanson particularly the former that was something very special. Les Rendezvous - Kaho Yanagisawa and Joseph Sissens, I have mentioned him before, two potential good ones their. What a priviledge to see such talent and dedication

Aggers has just said that he slipping into his tights in readiness, on in twenty minutes, Radio 5 Extra for those not familar with TMS ( Test Match Special )

I attended the opening night performance with Matthew and Anna dancing the principal roles and have to say that I enjoyed all the dancers. I cannot comment or compare Wheeldon with the Ashton, but am not sure that is fair anyway. To say one is "better" than another is a matter of personal taste. I didn't find the two sisters vulgar, maybe the humour did not always work but I can't recall anything vulgar. To me it was a fairy tale ballet, like the Nutcracker, and should be judged at that level and, for me, it worked. I did wonder however that when the chairs rose in the air and kind of hovered over the dancers whether that was supposed to happen! To me a very enjoyable evening and very pleased I was able to attend given the lack of tube trains, which is another matter.

And its being performed at the ROH in the schools most important production.

Yes, Joseph Sissens choreographed "Let my people go" which is being performed tonight (Thursday) but wasn't on Wednesday when I was their.

There is a Joseph Sissens in the 2nd year in the Upper School. He danced in the Pas de Quatre from Sleeping Beauty and the Waltz from Swan Lake. I recall him in the former and he looked the real deal. Nothing of his was danced.

Thanks for that Barton22, I went on to Amazon and bought the last copy they had.

For anyone attending this particular show the Sechs Tanze, which is new to me, was absolutely amazing. I was in row D so had a fantastic view of the dancing which was outstanding and so funny. I hope they include this in the Matinee performance on the big stage. I found it hard to believe that this was a student performance as the whole company was fantastic. Great show, well done to all involved.

On the Whats on page in their web site it is showing the Annual Performance running time as "about 2 hrs including one interval". It might help if they showed what they are performing and that includes this weeks shows.

Delighted for all those promoted particularly Meaghan, Luca, Nicol and Marcelino on being made Soloists. Great news that Chisato Katsura has joined from the School, I saw her last year at the summer performances and she is outstanding and will be a great asset. Big shout for Francesca, I love that girl and if we look after her she will be a huge star. Well done everyone.

I think they have to keep some back for the general public to comply with the funding rules.

I'm sorry Balletfanp, there are plenty up in the amphi and balcony but less so down in the lower ones. I feel really guilty now.

Just been booking for Osipova/Muntagirov's R & J in the Autumn season and it is remarkable how sold out it already appears to be. I know some tickets are held back for general booking but compared to the other performances where there are plenty of tickets available there are very few for these. Shows how "box office" this couple are.

Please forgive my ignorance but what does "acquiring" a ballet mean. Lets take "Woolf Works" as an example, who owns that? Is it McGregor or the Royal Ballet or someone else. What are you buying, the steps? Once you have bought it what does that mean, no other company can dance it without paying you as the owner or do you have to buy it to dance it? Confused.

I thought I had donated through PayPal but I have not received an acknowledgement so I hope I have.

It happened at a performance I was at, and I thought the same, but I enquired with the person and it turned out they were using the torch on the phone to read the synopsis of the next ballet. So, on this occasion, it was not a use of the phone.

I could see the lights from my seat in row E in the stalls but I thought they were trying to read the synopsis in the program. At the end of the day, what can the ROH do. Take the phone/camera off the person? Not sure they can do that and if they tried how much noise would that cause. They could wait until an interval and then escort the person out of the building? Bouncers at the ROH??? I don't like this happening and am very concerned for the safety of the dancers who could easily be distracted by these and perhaps cause an accident and injury to themselves or fellow dancers.

I have to agree with Penelopesimpson. I am not an expert but I felt very underwhelmed with the first two. Sitting in row E in the stalls I thought Vadim looked very uncomfortable lifting Melissa, struggling even at times. The second I thought a complete damp squib, got nothing out of that at all. Thank god for Mahler and MacMillan and, of course, Nela. The whole cast was good but she was wonderful. Bravo. I hope the pyrotechnics of the Woolf Works have not ruined it for me in the modern stuff.

Just thinking of my bank account!!!!

Was not planning to do this, but reading the report I think I will just have to go and see her R&J with Vadim in the Autumn season, damn

Yes, I think they did.

My second viewing at today's matinee and loved it even more. First time standing up to, in the SCS, great view just a bit hard on the old knees and back. Never mind who can argue for £6. Agree with Duck, more please and I'll second the DVD.

Easy peasy, just buy two tickets