Shade

Heard yesterday at the BRB swan lake matinee- “...what there’s no singing in this then?” please audience do not disrespect your swan queen and orchestra by: 1. Waiting for the oboe solo to start then saying loudly “...this is the most iconic piece of music.” It would be nice if we could enjoy it too. 2. waiting for the white pdd to start then eating a whole bag of sweets, each in a rustly wrapper 3. dropping your phone in the same pdd 4. Squeezing the plastic drinks cups (these should be banned in the auditorium.

So despite travel challenges we made it to yesterday’s matinee and were amply rewarded for our trouble. It was lovely to meet fellow forum member Lin and chat ballet. it was my first time seeing BRBs Swan Lake and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The orchestra was great as was the performance. Hirtata was a beautiful swan queen, best in the white acts. Ably supported by Morales. The swans were very impressive. The little cygnets so well coordinated. I loved the way they advanced menacingly towards Von Rothbart, reminded me of the wilis in Giselle. the audience was very enthusiastic and supportive. Carlos Acosta was in the audience- phew so handsome. The lady next to me was very excited to see him.

You deserve a medal prs59 - real commitment. It sounds like it was all worth it.

Yes travel couldn’t be worse by any route this weekend! I hope as you’re travelling on Friday it may be ok for you Lin. I think I have found a rail route via southern so fingers crossed.

Thanks Motomum - I am looking forward to seeing this production. I have seen many Swan Lakes and the role of the Prince is the one that is so difficult.

No - but change of travel plan to car. I am determined to go!

To be honest this sounds like a new ballet using Glazunov’s music, not Raymonda.

For anyone planning to travel by train to Southampton from London between tomorrow and Saturday be aware of major travel disruption due to the derailment at Eastleigh. It’s been complete chaos!

Thanks for the update on timings- helpful to know. I am looking forward to my first live performance of 2020. Hope to see you there Lin. if others are attending the earlier performances I will be interested to read about them

Thanks for these very full comments. One remark I would make and perhaps it may have been affected by the audience but for me act 2 lacked atmosphere and I didn’t feel any sadness. I am still waiting for my ideal Albrecht, beautiful though the dancing was. i would love to see this live though.

Thanks bluebird. Helpful to have full cast. I thought Vlashinets was suitably menacing as Myrthe.

Lin - I booked on Saturday for the 01 Feb matinee and there wasn’t a great deal of choice re seats unfortunately. However, I am looking forward to seeing this production very much. It seems to have sold well for the company which is good.

What an enjoyable way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon and educational. I do appreciate the information shared by the presenter snd the interview with mr ratmansky. Very impressive dancing. The peasant Pdd looked very challenging. Loved the Wilis choreography especially when viewed from above. Great precision I think the mime added to the production.

Snap - very disappointed to have to miss my only chance to see this. However, lovely photos and I am pleased to hear that Morera received such appreciation. Let’s hope that the success of Coppelia will mean that we see it again soon.

I would love to see Lunkina

This SB sounds interesting

Congratulations to Reece Clarke

Tkt now spoken for

Hi Alison I bave a SC standing ticket D51 that I can’t use sadly. It is an e ticket so if interested contact me

Didn’t mean to post and run so: highlights: Bolshoi - tour 2010 crowned by the Vasiliev/Osipova Don Q. I will always be grateful to them for reviving my interest in ballet. highlights: Royal Ballet - Natalia Osipova joins for 2013/14 season. Selfish I know but I was so happy that I could see her RB in London instead of having to wait for the intermittent Bolshoi tours and then not being certain about casting until the last minute. RB are to be commended for their advance casting. I have been to so many performances now and seen many productions that I had not seen before. It’s been a fantastic journey. Apart from Osipova’s Giselles, I will remember the great Mayerling with Watson, Osipova, Haywood, zanowksy etc a once in a lifetime performance I am sure. Also I have been able to follow the development of so many talented young RB dancers over this time - how fortunate the RB is and due to KOH careful management. I Look forward to many more exciting developments. Mikhailovsky - tour 2013 wonderful Giselles, Don Q and the rarely/never seen in the UK Laurencia. An opportunity to see some great dancers. Boston Ballet - tour 2013 Faun and Serenade Mariinsky Ballet - 2014 (50th UK season) lots of interesting programming some great triple bills, including Ratmansky’s DSCH and R & J with Vishneva and Shklyarov. Also Lopatkina in anything. ENB - Corsair, Khan’s Giselle, cojocaru performances in swan lake, Giselle. Cinema transmissions - great development thanks RB and Bolshoi Lowlights death of Sergei Vikharev but some of his reconstructions remain - love the Bolshoi Coppélia. attack on Sergei Filin in jan 2013 - a criminal act resulting in a lifetime loss of good sight The film Black Swan in 2011 dancers being injured - especially on stage eg Alexandrova, McCrea, Hallberg etc ROH own goals - apparent contempt for its core audience, pricing strategy, poorly judged decisions on new productions and marketing etc Ending of the new swan lake - generally happy with the other changes though

Hoping to catch this in Southampton

Inspired by all the weekend supplements I thought it would be interesting to have a post about this. Not limited to performances- eg could be Ms Rojo taking over at ENB, or new productions.

Merry Christmas to all forum members and to performers, orchestras and all who support the great art form of ballet

Lopatin is a great dancer - I am sorry that I missed him

Lovely and charming Obraztsova - I was so disappointed that she wasn’t in London this summer.