BristolBillyBob

Hi all. Long time no speak, hope you're all doing well.

Just to add to the excellent-debuts-as-Juliet thread here, I am happy to report that Yaoqian Shang can be added to that list (assuming it was her debut, can anyone clarify?). I remarked after the show last night to my Ballet Buddy that it reminded me of the film version of Les Mis, where I spent every scene that didn't have Anne Hathaway in wishing that Anne Hathaway was in it, that's pretty much how I felt about Shang's performance yesterday. She lit up the stage whenever she was on, with musicality, technique and superb acting. Sounds like BRB have a wealth of female talent rocketing through the ranks, which is lovely to see. I usually like to focus on the positives, but I do confess to finding the show otherwise a touch flat yesterday. This might be me, though; R&J has never featured that highly on my ballet rankings, and I saw the superb Rambert2 the night before, who had such incredible energy and intensity that doing a spin class on ketamine to a soundtrack of industrial techno would feel like a Cup-a-Soup in a cardigan listening to The Archers in comparison, so perhaps I wasn't quite ready for the drop. 😄

Hi all, (and Happy New Year!)

A heads-up for my fellow Nancy Osbaldeston fans*, she's choreographed and is dancing in a programme for Royal Ballet Flanders - who might actually be called Opera Ballet Vlaanderen now? - and it's on this Friday for the bargain price of €5. 

The link is here.

Music and dance go happily together in this danced concert around the oeuvre of Astor Piazzolla. With Libertango the Argentinian composers created one of his great masterpiece. It's a symbol for Piazzolla's break with traditional tango music and the freedom his Tango Nuevo carries within. This innovating style is now emblematic of the Argentinian master, with all its influences from jazz and classical traditions.

Tango, jazz, classical music…: all these elements and more inspired our British principal dancer Nancy Osbaldeston, who choreographed the music by Piazzolla . She, seven other dancers from the company and the musicians of the Ensemble Libertad breathe new live into the excuberant and deeply felt music of Piazzolla.

Libertango guarantees a sparkling evening of virtuosity, passion and a hint of melancholy.

Choreography

Nancy Osbaldeston

Ensemble Libertad:

Violin: Ann Vancoillie

Cello: Sigrid Vandenbogaerde

Piano: Vincent Bruyninckx

Bandoneon: Dick Van der Harst

Dancers Opera Ballet Vlaanderen

Brent Daneels, Lara Fransen, Mikio Kato, Gary Lecoutre, Philipe Lens, Ruka Nakagawa, Nancy Osbaldeston, James Waddell

I'll be there, so if you're also attending, do wave! I'll be the one in the front row of the stalls with a glass of wine, their feet up on a coffee table, and a purring cat in their lap.

* For the uninitiated, she's a principal at Royal Ballet Flanders, ex-ENB, and is basically completely amazing.

I've had a brutal journey up from Plymouth just to see this one show, so I'm tremendously excited! If anyone wants to say hello, I'm in a navy blue shirt, brown shoes, dark grey jeans and, crucially, a red polka dot mask. :)

What a lovely evening. A few technical gremlins meant I couldn't watch live or vote, but had a thoroughly enjoyable time all the same. Fantastic watching all the performances by superbly talented young dancers, but the winner was also the clear favourite in my living room, so congratulations to them (not mentioning names in case anyone is catching up on demand)!

For me, though, the other big winner tonight was Stina Quagebeur. Hollow was simply mesmerising. For me it felt like the stunning offspring of her own Vera and Crystal Pite's 10 Duets on a Theme of Rescue, I was transfixed. I adore the way she choreographs a pas de deux, and was reminded of something @Two Pigeons said in a comment on a review I posted donkeys' years ago; 'Peter Schaufuss described a Bournonville pas de deux as a conversation between two people rather than an exercise in porteuring,' and that's precisely why I feel Stina Quagebeur nails them so effectively. 

I've largely avoided ballet this year to a certain extent, it would've made me too sad to miss it. This, though, was a lovely reintroduction. Fingers crossed BRB at Sadler's Wells can still go ahead, I'm more excited than ever for it now!

29 minutes ago, Jan McNulty said:

I'm looking forward to this competition greatly tonight.

Me too! I'll see you there - I'm on the front row with you today. 😎

Having missed out on the Birmingham shows, I managed to snag a ticket to this, ninja style, for the Saturday evening. The phrase 'can't wait' seems woefully inadequate; I'll give even odds I'll shed a little tear when the curtain goes up. 

If anyone else is there for that performance, I'd love to say a socially distanced hello. 🙂

From Beth: Here's my first review as a novice ballet fan (courtesy of my boyfriend Alex (BristolBillyBob) who introduced me to this world a few years back)
I've seen plenty of ballets now, but Alice's Adventures in Wonderland was one of my favourites (despite being on screen tonight rather than on the stage). I loved so many things about it:

1. The diversity and range of dance, moves, shapes and styles. It was a relief not just to see endless chorus scenes and pas de deux, but rather I felt I got to see the whole spectrum of what ballet has to offer. (Including a bit of tap from the Mad Hatter which was excellent!) 

2. I loved Lauren Cuthbertson and Federico Bonelli and the way they danced together. It was like they were made for each other. They're both so effortless and light and fun in the way they move. Plus huge respect to Lauren who hardly stopped dancing throughout. She must have been absolutely knackered. Very well done! 

3. The narrative was brilliant and came through so well in the dance. It was fast paced and interesting, clear and exciting. I felt that it portrayed Lewis Carol's novel so well.

Also, what a great night, when we're all stuck at home, to get dressed up, drink some wine, watch some ballet and know that there are other people out there doing the same xx

16 minutes ago, Jan McNulty said:

I thoroughly enjoyed my evening at the ballet and I would like to thank BBB2 for suggesting it.  Are we on for the same time next week?

Really glad you enjoyed it, me too! I have plans for next Saturday, believe it or not - more of a virtual club night though! - but perhaps another evening? Or, of course, you are all welcome to go ahead without me now I've set the ball rolling. 1984 next, but @Rob S has whetted my appetite for another Onegin - I do love the drama of that one..!

Well, Alice has completed her voyage into Wonderland for the evening, and what a lovely evening it was. Absolutely sublime performances by Lauren Cuthbertson (upon whom I think the role was created?), Laura Morera and Federico Bonelli. The third act, during which I was relieved to see Lauren got to have a break, has some terrific moments in it, not least the Queen of Hearts' shenanigans. In places I worry that the production occasionally takes precedence over the dancing, but in the sections where the dancing is allowed to shine free of stagecraft it absolutely shines. I'll save fuller comments for a time tomorrow when I've had less wine - it's jolly nice to just grab a top-up mid show! - but it's been really lovely to have a 'night out', and I hope you've enjoyed yours too! Let me know how your shows went!  

Interval ice cream for me too! A simple vanilla with chocolate sauce. 

Alice's Adventures... is quite a show! What a demanding role the title character is; I think Lauren's on stage for almost every single minute, there's very little let-up. She absolutely owns every second, though. Incredible performance. 

1 minute ago, alison said:

Oops, for some reason I thought this was starting at 7 pm, so have already started watching.  Possibly just as well since mine's 3 acts.  I've only just got back from Waitrose and have been hosing down all the groceries (well, you know what I mean ), and since Someone Else wants the telly I've been banished to the kitchen with the laptop.  Since I'm a bit short on finalised ballet DVDs (the first one I picked up was Frankenstein - no thanks!) I've actually got the 2001 RB Nureyev Don Quixote with Tamara Rojo and Johan Kobborg on the player - as I'm busy trying to get myself a meal as well I didn't want something I wanted to watch seriously.  Picture quality is poor - I only had a VHS at the time, and later transferred it onto DVD - so don't ask me who the supporting dancers are!

 

Enjoy your evening, all!

The most important thing is you have a lovely time. Have a great evening, Alison, and let us know how the ballet was if you get a minute later!

42 minutes ago, Richard LH said:

 a wonderful cast that includes Nunez, Osipova, Muntagirov, Whitehead, Avis,Campbell, Choe, Naghdi and Takada.

 

That is quite an all-star lineup! Enjoy! 

2 minutes ago, Jan McNulty said:

Ready and raring to go with Mayerling.  Just watching the preamble now.

 

 

Is that the equivalent of putting drinks on the safety rail?

3 minutes ago, Jan McNulty said:

I've moved the post across!

 

Ready and raring to go in Liverpool!

Welcome! Did you decide on Mayerling in the end?  

We'll be watching RB's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland tonight. Can't wait, it's been ages since I last saw it! 

4 minutes ago, Richard LH said:

Oops I posted on your first thread....

No worries. I'm presuming you have company, or are both of those glasses for you?   Now I'm imagining you've ordered ahead for the interval! 😄

12 minutes ago, Richard LH said:

Raising a glass to all Ballet Forum members as we await the opening of the ROH  auditorium for La Bayadere: looking forward to  a wonderful cast that includes Nunez, Osipova, Muntagirov, Whitehead, Campbell, Choe, Naghdi and Takada.

...hoping everyone is keeping well and in good spirits..!

I've started an event thread over at https://www.balletcoforum.com/topic/22429-live-event-thread-balletcoforums-virtual-event-a-night-at-the-ballet-on-now/ 

Just now, Fonty said:

No.  The bar at Chateau Fonty has not got any wine. 😒

 I've started an event thread here  https://www.balletcoforum.com/topic/22429-live-event-thread-balletcoforums-virtual-event-a-night-at-the-ballet-on-now/

LIVE EVENT THREAD NOW LIVE AT:

Welcome to Balletcoforum’s first virtual…
Night At The Ballet
-- LIVE EVENT THREAD --

Hello everyone! So lovely to see you. Glad you could join us at the Your Living Room Theatre for the opening night of our virtual trip to the theatre! 

This is for us all to still have a ‘night out’ during these strange times in which we find ourselves. I’ll be getting dressed up for the theatre and I encourage you to do the same, but just enjoy the evening, that’s the important bit.

Here’s how the evening will go…

Running order:

6.30pm - The ‘House Opens’ / A glass of wine in the bar 
 
Welcome!
 
Make yourself a nice glass of something and enjoy the fact you don’t have to pay £9 for it. Then hop on here and say hello to your fellow virtual theatre-goers! 

Why not post a selfie of yourselves and post it so we can all see who we’re spending the evening with? Let’s talk about the weather, how much easier it is to park than [insert your usual venue] and how much we’re looking forward to seeing [I’ll come to that in a moment]. As this evening exists to provide some escape from the tricky times we’re facing, the only topic that is strictly off-limits is anything related to Covid-19. An usher will sternly ush you if you stray into that topic!
 
7.30pm - The show begins
 
Now the house lights are going down (you'll have to operate the light switch yourself, I'm afraid). There’s a reminder to turn off your phone (which you should heed, as well as closing your laptop, shutting down your iPad, etc), along with the inevitable announcement that the principal you specifically aimed to see is being replaced at the last minute. The conductor has assumedly walked in because everyone is clapping for no apparent reason and you can’t see the orchestra. You get yourself comfortable in your seat ready to watch… 
 
Wait, what are we watching again?
 
Well, here’s the beauty of it. We can all watch different things! As long as we’re watching ballet, we can pick what we like. Here are some options:

• Record something off Sky Arts to watch (if you have it)
• Maybe take out a 14 day trial of Marquee TV?
• Watch one of the ballets on Amazon Prime (I think there’s also a free trial)
• Watch a DVD or Blu Ray, even a VHS!
• Watch The Royal Ballet’s Mayerling on iPlayer
• There are plenty more suggestions on this thread

Whatever you watch, turn down the lights and enjoy! 
 
Then, at a suitable point…
 

8.30pm (ish) - Interval!
 
Time for a quick comfort break, a top up of your glass. Why not share a photo of your interval ice cream? Give yourself a few minutes to hop back on the official thread and share your thoughts on Act 1, perhaps, and see how everyone else is getting on (bearing in mind we’ll likely be back in the bar at different times). Then it's time for...
 

8.50pm (ish) - Act 2! 

Enjoy the rest of your performance!
 
9.45pm (ish) - The after show
 
We’ll all meet back ‘in the bar’ to chat about what we’ve just seen, wax lyrical how much we loved/didn’t love it, how nice it is not to have to have to clap for quite that long, queue at the cloakroom or find a taxi in the rain... Then it’s air kisses - mwah! - all round and if it’s a success we start planning the next one!
 
Enjoy your evening! 

A QUICK NOTE ABOUT POSTING PHOTOS: There is a limit to the size of photos on here (which zxDaveM has kindly increased for us). If your photo is too big, please do post it elsewhere online (Flickr, Instagram, etc.) and share the link, or use one of the photo shrinkers online.  

(Tagging @Lucinda @KyleCheng @SMballet  @Richard LH  @LinMM @Don Q Fan  @CCL @Shade  @Rob S  @greypuss  @bridiem  @Toria  @toursenlair  @AnneMarriott  @alison  @Lizbie1@Odyssey who liked the invitation thread)
 

4 minutes ago, Jan McNulty said:

Well even if it's only us it's given me something to look forward to!

 

(I've got 1984 on DVD)

Indeed!   We'l have a great time whatever happens.  

I've just been playing around with Marquee TV. Not a comprehensive offering on there from a dance perspective, but certainly plenty to be getting through in a 30 day trial. The quality seems pretty good. @Jan McNulty - I notice NB's 1984 is on there, which I'm particularly excited by! We're going for Alice's... tonight, but Northern Ballet is definitely my choice for next time (assuming it goes well!). 

Hi all. 

Don't forget, tomorrow is...

'A Night At The Ballet'

Special Performance for Our Honoured Guests From Balletcoforum by the 

Living Room Ballet Company

at the

Your Television Theatre

Hope to see lots of you there!   (and if you've no idea what I'm on about, do skip back to the first post in the thread for details!)

Don't forget: I'll start a NEW thread on the forum for the evening at 7.00 sharp tomorrow evening. If you can't see it on the site, I'll also post a link here. 

Looking forward to it immensely. Some people suggested a few of us could watch the same thing, so by all means do that if you'd like. I've just taken out a trial of Marquee TV (one month free) so will likely look for something on there, and had my eye on Alice's Adventures In Wonderland. I might be persuaded to something else that might also be of interest to my still relatively new-to-the-artform girlfriend.