SPD444

My first time at the annual performance and I also made the Saturday performance at the Linbury. They are without doubt fantastic young people and lets not forget the wonderful staff who give them the chance to perform. I thought the program really showcased the boys which has already been covered; there are some stars their. I have also read that a number of the girls are in Tokyo with the RB. I am not going to tell everyone to go see because I want tickets for next year. A wonderful show - and the "defile" at the end - well not a dry eye in the house

Regarding Alina's partner for Le Corsaire we could have a little fun with this. I have just returned from the cinema showing of the Ashton performance including Tamara's last show in Marguerite and Armand, with the flower throw, fantastic. Who did she ask to partner her that night? Sergei!! Who did Alina ask to come and perform at her recent Gala night for the hospice in Rumania? Sergei!! Is it ridiculous to suggest it could be the bad boy???

Thanks for that Janet. The audience for ENB must be happy to book seats without knowing who is dancing - As a fan of Alina I will need to know when she is due to dance before I spend my money.

I have been wondering about the casting information side of things. Since the news of Alina I have been scouring the internet trying to find details of who is dancing what and when. I have found tickets on sale for all the ballets mentioned in the Alina press release but cannot find who is dancing on each night other than when Carlos and Tamara are dancing R&J at the RAH - other than that nothing. When do the ENB tell us?

Janet, do you know where on the ENB web site it shows the casting schedule.

I apologise to the RB and all those who responded to my post. I was so fed up that we had lost her and had seemingly done little to persuade her to stay that I vented my frustration without any justification. Very pleased for the ENB.

I am so pleased with this news, and well done to Tamara for sweeping her up when she had been dumped by the RB. Having assumed she was lost to the UK, particularly after Johan's rant on his facebook page, it is great news that we can still see her. Bye. Bye RB and hello ENB.

Got my DonQ with carlos and marinella for the 26th so pleased as punch - booking nice and smooth - confirmation email on time. That's the first time that has happened so things are looking up. The only one for me - will use the live cinema performances for the others. My next one has to be Winters Tale next year.

Would you believe my luck, I happened to spot tickets had just been returned yesterday afternoon for the performance last night. These young people are fantastic. Their joy of dancing is plain to see and they don't appear to get out of breath, ever. Thanks for the reply LinMM and if it proves correct then they are repeats from this weeks show, but that's perfectly fine. We all worry when famous principals leave but, rest assured, the next generation are being developed under the guidance of the RBS and the future for the RB is sure.

I am going on the 14th as well. Does the program list the ballets and artists being performed because I have seen nothing detailing what is being danced.

Allison does make valid points in that rumour can become "fact" if not replaced by the truth, whatever that may be and the ability to recover from the injuries sustained by both Johan and Alina in recent months must have questioned their ability to perform to the levels they have set themselves. Last night dispelled those fears, I have never seen such passion and committment on display in huge measures. Fantastic. I bet their bodies are feeling it today. For the future I think Johan had no choice but to move on, the program notes by Mr O'Hare discusses the arrangements already in place as to the RB direction in new choreographers which leaves no place for Johan at the level he would demand. Let Johan get more experience and I can well see him coming back to the RB at a very senior level. As for Alina, I have not read she will not be appearing as a guest and that last night was her last appearance as a member of the RB not her last appearance ever. I am sure I read somewhere that she said that where Johan goes she will follow and I am equally sure the management are in no doubt as to how we, the supporters, feel about Alina. If they were I hope they saw the curtain call, I have never felt such love being expressed from an audience to two stars, it blew me away I can't imagine what it must have felt like for it to be aimed at yourself.

I don't think Alina is very computer minded. I noticed that Johan on a tweet said in astonishment that she had recently got an ipad or tablet. Her web site has never been at the sharp edge of her thoughts, she went months and months without updating her page on their. I have never seen Mayerling so don't know how taxing the role of Mary is. She seemed O.K. at her recent gala where she performed but that could have been good acting of course. If she is in pain could she just perform one act and let another do the rest? I cannot imagine her not doing anything in her final performance as a member of the RB.

Thank you Janet. Yes it is sad. I have tickets for the performance and can I take some flowers to throw or must permission be sought? Who can I ask?

I was wondering about the flower throw, who organises this? do you need permission? we can't let her leave without one surely. I agree with everyone else, very sad that we will not see her Juliet again.