Shade

I went to the Southbank yesterday to see the JWO. It was a performance of music from MGM films. It was a lovely uplifting performance just perfect to start the Xmas season!

I really enjoyed Le Corsaire, it brightened up a gloomy November Sunday no end! Dancing was fabulous and I would love to see this production live. I also would like to see Lunkina, as despite many years of seeing the Bolshoi in London I have never done so. I was pleased that my local cinema was almost a full house for this screening. Have to say that I loved this production.

My first MacMillan R and J and my special birthday treat (Acosta & Osipova). Great performance from the whole company, but not the orchestra (at least to my ears). It exceeded my expectations. A real emotional rollercoaster - humour, excitement, joy, love, fear and despair. I shed a tear at the end of the balcony scene as it was so moving. Great acting from Acosta and Osipova, so many nuances to her performance too. It was an evening I shall always remember. True artists. I wish that I could see it all over again.

I posted on the other thread about how much I enjoyed this performance. However, for me personally Natalia Osipova is Kitri. Marianela Nunez was indeed joyful but I did not think that she had the same "fire" as Osipova ( does anyone?). I am sure this production has been a great success for the RB and I hope to attend a live performance next time, as this is one of my favourite ballets.

Saw this yesterday in the cinema and enjoyed it very much. I am pleased that I will not have to wait for a Russian company to visit before I can see Don Q again - thank you RB. I thought that Kitri's entrance was rather muted and I was concerned that Carlos Acosta was going to drop Marianela Nunez in that first overhead lift (thank goodness he didn't). Melissa Hamilton in the dryad scene was lovely ( though in my opinion Yulia Makhalina (Kirov) is a most majestic, graceful and beautiful queen). I preferred the Bolshoi choreography for the wedding pdd and have to say that I was disappointed about the loss of the "bridesmaid" variation. The cinema was almost full and the audience enjoyed the performance. Well done to all involved in the production.

There is a very cute photo on Natalia's Facebook page too.

I saw the opening night and felt that the Bolshoi - big, bold, bravura was back. I had waited all Summer for this performance and I enjoyed it all - it had a flavour of the closing Don Q of the 2010 season (although to me nothing will ever match that). Osipova and Vasiliev seemed to energise the whole cast and it really felt like the dancers were enjoying the show. I loved all the principals and Amour. The toddler was adorable! I had to laugh when Vasiliev was strutting his stuff before his Act 2 piece - but he gave his all to the performance. Also laughed at the curtain calls where there was a stand-off between the male leads! I noticed that Vasiliev is great at catching those flowers - i think he did that after Laurencia too. When Vasiliev honoured Osipova at the curtain call it was such a sincere gesture it made my heart melt. Thank you Bolshoi for bringing Flames to London and inviting Osipova and Vasiliev to dance. Please come back soon.