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Mummykool

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  1. Mummykool
    A black hole is where Multiverse should be consigned. We have tickets for Saturday and there is no way I plan on sitting through that again. I shall be in the amphitheatre bar with a good book and a cup of coffee. I think Geoff has hit it on the head....three McGregor pieces together has done more to highlight his shortcomings than enhance his reputation.
  2. Mummykool
    Me too except I didn't like Obsidian Tear either.
  3. Mummykool
    The couple next to me in the amphi last night were still chatting well after the performance had started. Dimming the lights had no effect, nor had the appearance of the dancers. A polite sh! had no effect. Fortunately the music for Chroma is so loud it drowned out their continuing conversation. He was also loudly quite indignant that there were two intervals. Surely there only needed to be one? He came for a show, not an interval. Obviously changing sets and giving the dancers recovery time was not important. I was left wondering if they were only there because seats for the triple bill were comparatively cheap.
  4. Mummykool
    Chroma has long been a favourite of mine but it didn't do it for me last night. Everyone else seems to have enjoyed the inclusion of the Alvin Ailey dancers but I found the difference in their muscular physicality compared to our 'regulars' distracting. I also very much missed Eric Underwood's sinuous presence. I'd far rather seen him reprise his role in Chroma than see him wasted in Multiverse. Multiwaste of time, talent and money would be more accurate. Varnatus rightly said opinion would be split on Multiverse and I'm heavily in the irritated/bored camp. The resampled and very loud sounds that opened the piece really got on my nerves. I loved the choreography for McRae and Kay but I definitely needed earplugs to have any chance of enjoyment. As for the rest....... it was really boring. When you are more interested in the squares changing colour in the background than what the dancers are doing, there is something very wrong. Even the ending was naff and looked like the Wheeldon trick of 'drop the curtain folks, I've run out of ideas'. Carbon Life was something I have yearned to see again. Absolutely loved it first time around and thoroughly enjoyed it last night. I am convinced there have been major changes but can't quite figure exactly out what. Certainly some of the lyrics were different. I had a private bet that the profanities would have been removed...I can clearly remember Alison Mosshart prowling round a dancer in the circle of light swearing (and screaming) her head off. The lyrics had obviously been changed but was it another song? The original had a different set of musicians, so has anything else changed? Had they also lowered the volume? Lastly I am sure that in the final set both Eric Underwood and Ed Watson came out en pointe in those black leather boots, but last night only Eric did this. Any clues on any of this anyone? So glad we left before the self-congratulatory back-slapping started. Like BridieM I also worry about what his choreography is doing to our fantastic dancers. Is it worth it?
  5. Mummykool
    You heard the clatter and the programme notes briefly fluttered down on the very left of the screen. My husband heard the mobile phone (on the night and at the cinema encore) but I missed it both times. Someone in the amphithetre clapped when the usher removed the programme durting the interval and we were delighted to see it had that it had been shown on the live broadcast I should imagine these glitches will be edited out for a DVD. The whole of the same cast's Saturday night performance was filmed and so there will be other material that could be used at those points. It also to be hoped that they axe Darcey's contributions completely....Is it me or do all her 'interviews' actually focus on herself and her career, not the person she is talking to? It was interesting that Bonelli's difficulties in the pas de deux were far less obvious from the broadcast camera angle than from our seat in the amphitheatre. Osipova's performance was outstanding. Her emotion reached clearly to the amphithatre on the night, but the cinema close-ups (especially in the final act) were priceless. That look in her eyes in Act 3 will haunt me for days.
  6. Mummykool
    It was Olga and was danced by Olivia Cowley. The other sisters were Yasmine Naghdi as Marie and Beatriz Stix-Brunel as Tatiana. All the sisters were on the list issued at the ROH. Interestingly the cast sheet had changed from opening night to include Vincenzo di Primo. People power does work (occasionally). I can't really add anything to what has already been said. Osipova was truly outstanding and, as someone else previously said of her, worth every petal of her large bouquet. The whole cast really raised their game apart from poor Federico Bonelli who looked very under par (again). If they do issue a DVD, (and I hope they do), they need to use his performance from Saturday night as it was so much better than his showing last night. Can't wait to see all the close-up shots at the cinema encore on Sunday.
  7. Mummykool
    I also read the movement as being associated with treating the child's haemophilia. Joints become incredibly painful and may just be Anna's memory/vision of the exercises used to help alleviate the pain and keep Alexey's legs moving.. It is also a powerful reminder of Rasputin's power over the Romanov family that he was able to manipulate the child in such a way. I think we often read too much into things these days...it's a sad reflection of the times in which we now live.
  8. Mummykool
    Bringing this discussion back to the role of the Revolutionary, the Opera House have confirmed it was Vincento di Primo. Shame not to have listed him in the cast sheet. (At risk of going way off topic....also the flautist in Fille never gets a mention either).
  9. Mummykool
    The first two acts may be quite boring but they certainly give depth and meaning to the final act. We saw this as a one act ballet a long time ago and hadn't got a clue what was going on. If nothing else the first two acts set the scene and act as a counterpoint to the madness of act 3. The performance has already been beautifully summed up by Mousem40and Bridem. Nunez and Bonelli looked most uncomfortable with the choreography but got a huge cheer anyway. Osipova was simply stunning.
  10. Mummykool
    For all fans of this ballet, Steven McRae has posted on his Twitter feed that BBC4 will be broadcasting this at 8pm on Sunday October 30th as part of their Halloween celebrations. Must be the first time I've ever appreciated us adopting Halloween as something to celebrate....
  11. Mummykool
    Just back from our second viewing and I have to say it was much better second time around. Having seen a glorious performance of Fille on Tuesday, Thursday's performance of Khan's Giselle was a bit of a culture shock and I totally concurred with Penelopesimpson and VickyPage's comments. However I thoroughly enjoyed tonight and would now happily see it again/buy the dvd. Due to cast changes we saw James Streeter and Caesar Corrales both times and regard that as a bonus as they were both wonderful. As for Giselle,Tamara was good on Thursday but tonight Alina was sublime...... What a privilege it is to be able to see three world class ballerinas in the same week!
  12. Mummykool
    Well said Bruce, it was a wonderful night. The final pdd was so tender it brought tears to even my cynical eyes! Also I simply loved the way both Thomas Whitehead and James Hay continued in character to the very last curtain call. They were both brilliant. Will sit and sigh for the rest of the day methinks......
  13. Mummykool
    I think that's part of the plan.... There are also two price bands that look almost the same colour blue on my screen.
  14. Mummykool
    I seem to remember reading that Vasiev was prioritising good performances in Moscow. Perhaps the thinking is London is a good place to try things out rather than with a home audience. I think I would rather take the risk a long way from home where I only went every three years than on home soil.
  15. Mummykool
    I think the sentimental vote goes to Alexandrova/ Lantratov and the most exciting technical fireworks display vote to Krysanova/ Chudin, Nick. Highlights for me were not the principals but Biktimirov who was a wonderful Espada on Tuesday and Anna Tikhomirova for her performances as the street dancer/ grand pas 1st solo. The character dancers were also wonderful. Loved the new sets but prefer the old costumes but didn't find any of the performances came anywhere near the excitement created last time around.
  16. Mummykool
    I've been mulling all day over my reaction to last night's performance and I have to say I was rather underwhelmed by the whole thing. There were some lovely touches but, as Bridem has already pointed out, far too many inconsistencies. I also found some of the costumes very unappealing and the choreography rather bland. By far the best thing was Eloise Fryer's 'dumpy' ugly sister. She really went to town with her characterisation, but what really made it for me was her uncanny resemblance to Paloma Faith......
  17. Mummykool
    If any performances at all! There are certain dancers that may tempt me into London for Sleeping Beauty, but I really don't like the new production and don't think it worth the long trek from Bristol. I'd rather watch a dvd at home.... preferably (and I know this may be regarded as heresy) one with attractive costumes and a male dancer in the role of Carabosse!
  18. Mummykool
    Well I seem to have been peering at people's chests for what seems like weeks and still haven't seen anyone. Can I suggest something similar for June 11th?
  19. Mummykool
    No but it looks like a lot of us will be wearing them on June 11th. Watch this space.....
  20. Mummykool
    Certain ballets do say that they are not suitable for under a certain age but it is surprising how little notice people take. Hansel and Gretel carried such a warning, but there was a couple on the front row with what looked like a five year old. That ballet was one of the creepiest things I've ever seen and I've often wondered if that child had nightmares afterwards....I certainly did!
  21. Mummykool
    Well there's a hanging scene in Jeune Homme et la Mort and then there is always The Judas Tree. That also includes rape - at which point we move on to the gaoler in Manon, the wedding night in Mayerling and, soon to be seen, The Invitation...... We may not feel comfortable with it, but isn't that the point? If it is pertinent to the story it should be included. The young friend we took to the cinema to see Frankenstein had never seen a ballet. She loved the dancing but was bored by the love interest portrayed in the pdd and absolutely adored the anatomy lab and all the gruesome bits (including the hanging). She will never enjoy Swan Lake or Sleeping Beauty.
  22. Mummykool
    According to the ROH website this morning, they are in talks about releasing a DVD. Fingers crossed....
  23. Mummykool
    I can't see how they can given San Francisco Ballet have yet to premiere it. There were distribution restrictions in the USA for or that reason. Shame as I'd love a copy.....
  24. Mummykool
    How is using the company's Artist in Residence cronyism? Would you prefer to give it the company choreographer? I shudder to think what Wayne McGreggor would do to Swan Lake......
  25. Mummykool
    James Hays' characterisation was completely different and made much more sense. His Henry was hapless rather than a 'lad' and, as another misfit, logically drawn to Victor. He was absolutely wonderful on Tuesday night, as was Frankie Hayward as Justine. We took a friend to cinema last night and she absolutely loved it. She had never seen a ballet before and now wants more.....preferably dramatic rather than romantic as she was less interested in the love scenes. It was our third viewing of Frankenstein and it really does seem to get better each time. I agree that Act 1 starts very slowly and could do with pruning, but from the lab scene onwards everything is just fine by me. The lab needs to be gruesome (it is a horror story) and I'm sure if you changed the colour of their wigs the harlot scene would not have come in for so much criticism. I think that scene is important as it emphasises Victor's single-mindedness to his studies and Henry's inability to fit in. The dancing last night was superb. The cast seem to have grown into the roles since opening night and this time around I did feel sorry for McRae's creature at the end. There was an audible sigh in the cinema at the very end of Act 3. One lady came up to us afterwards and said it was the best thing she'd ever seen. Personally I think Liam Scarlett has done a wonderful job and that this one is a keeper. A lot of people didn't like Alice when it opened but it has proved extremely popular. Personally I don't like Winter's Tale but everyone else seems to. It's a good job we are all different!
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