Shade

2 hours ago, Linnzi5 said:

I had a lovely time at the live relay last night. Cinema was great - lights turned off when they should be, sound quality great and picture quality good too. Even got a printed cast sheet! 😱

 

This, for me, was Yasmine Yaghdi's night. Her Aurora was flawless, gentle, sweet and just lovely. Her technical brilliance was wonderful to see and her musicality and presence just brilliant. I loved her and thought she was perfect. Matthew Ball was excellent - a technically matched partner, noble prince and their partnership is lovely. They clearly are so comfortable with each other and they seemed so secure in their trust of each other. Wonderful to see!

 

I was so impressed with everyone else! What a strong cast. Standouts for me: Isabella Gasparini, Joseph Sissons, Sae Maeda, Sophie Allnatt  (she really is one to watch!) and of course, Kristen McNally (boo hiss! 🤣)!  Lastly, how could I forget the wolf! I don't think I have ever seen such a wonderful characterisation! As soon as I could, I looked at my cast sheet to see who it was! David Donnelly - bravo, just totally wonderful. I have never loved the Red Riding Hood, Wolf dance and I immediately loved it with him portraying the wolf.

 

Mayara Magri was as wonderful as usual. I've seen her as Lilac Fairy before, so knew how wonderful she would be. Special mention also to Yuhui Choe - I loved her dancing and she excels at the roles she is given.

 

I liked the pacing of Jonathan Lo's conducting. The orchestra sounded wonderful - Sergey Levitin was great (I never mind who is Concert Master, though I have a slight preference for Vasko Vassilev as I prefer his tone - just personal taste).  I only had one slight quibble and this may be a slight delay in the broadcast of the video and music feed, perhaps. Maybe someone who was there live at ROH last night can correct me if it was different there. In the bits where Aurora does a series of turns and stops suddenly (in her later solo, in Act I) the music stopped a fair bit later than Aurora on the relay. I realise how tricky the timing for those must be, but I have seen the orchestra much more at one with the dancer previously. It did not detract from a wonderful evening though. A good time was had by all in my party. 

No that happened in stage- I did notice it.

Top cast all round tonight I think

2 hours ago, RHowarth said:

Yasmine Naghdi has brought me to tears twice in the last 5 weeks. Once in the Cinderella act 2 pdd (when she encircles her Prince in slow controlled chaines) and tonight at the end of the Rose Adage. And does anyone else think she has the look of Fonteyn as Aurora?

I was just thinking the same re Fonteyn this evening.

Hi Thalia I am interested please 

Loved the Ukrainian folk dance but I wish the cameraman had not cut off the feet! Also the RB duet and Dying Swan. Although if you are not familiar with this piece I suspect you wouldn’t ‘get it’, my husband was totally bemused!

49 minutes ago, Benjamin said:

One word: Prokofiev.

Do you not think it is more ‘jazzy’ than R&J Benjamin? 

One word to sum up last night “magic”. 
 

perhaps the GT has fairy dust scattered over it! Perfect central view mean I     could appreciate all the lovely effects. Loved the pumpkin/coach, costumes etc.

Orchestra on great form but of course it would be nothing without the dancers. Enjoyed all of them including the step sisters (kept thinking of the film Some like it Hot).

Osipova and Clarke - I am surprised the stage can contain all that beauty! Simply wonderful. What a moment when they ascend the staircase together- the staircase to heaven (happy ever after land). Yes brings a tear!
 

I left feeling so joyful- which sustained me until I got home at 12.30.

It was also great to meet NoGoat and I sat next to a charming man from Alaska, here on holiday.

Wonderful photos Rob

Emeralds I love the Merry Widow operetta and ballet. It would be a thrill to see it on stage live. 

Wow James I hope you have a fabulous evening 

I look forward to the book release. In my opinion Mr Ratmansky is the only classical ballet choreographer currently working for a major company.

The NYCB productions sound very exciting.

I have spent much of this evening reading this whole thread, in preparation for my visit on Friday evening. I have pushed the boat out and bought a ticket for the Grand Tier, only the second time ever!

As ever it has been very instructive reading all the comments. I have only seen the RB Cinderella once before, I think in 2010, so don’t recall it clearly.   Leads were Cuthbertson and Bonelli and the orchestra stalls ticket cost £98. I very much enjoyed that performance and hope I will enjoy this one too, even though different.

thanks Rob for all the great photos.

Agree Anne - same issue with the Saturday matinee sadly and it spoilt the first part of the music as I couldn’t hear it.

re the performance- I like this production very much and prefer it to the current RB one. Tyrone Singleton was a handsome prince, Yijing a lyrical white swan. I thought that she was stronger in the white acts, although she was indeed a sly Odile but she seemed to lack energy by the end of the fouettés and lacked the triumphant finish.

I thought that the 4 cygnets were excellent.

the orchestra went at pace.

£35 stalls tickets with no restricted views were great value for a full company, great dancers  and orchestra. 

I think this is normal for the Mayflower. If I recall correctly we were due to see SB in 2021 but the pandemic put paid to that!

Yesterday the audience at the swan lake matinee at the Mayflower was the worst in my theatre going so far. Very young children, I would guess 3 years old, who talked through the whole of act IV, people dropping metal water bottles throughout, cracking of plastic beakers, rustling sweet bags through acts I and II, half a row getting up in the short gap between acts I and II ( why they didn’t announce this I don’t know), mobile going off at the start of the white pas de deux etc.
 

Total disrespect for the company and inconsiderate behaviour to fellow audience members.

Well I am not a Friend but did get the offer. I wonder if it’s because I haven’t booked for any recent performances? If so, it seems v unfair to the regular audiences who have bought tickets!

I am saving my money for Cinderella, which I haven’t seen since 2012.

Oh yes it would be lovely to see The Dream 

Happy New Year to all and looking forward to great ballet performances in 2023

Loved seeing Irek and Darcey dancing again. Was pleasantly surprised by the film but agree - the Delibes score should have been used.

Ah yes the music for dispatch- an assault to my ears!

Just back after the matinee. It was helpful to read the feedback here so I had an idea as to what to expect. I enjoyed Fille, manon, was underwhelmed with quailia, but admired the dancers flexibility. Was this dance or contortions to music?  Thinking about it I don’t recall a McGregor piece that I have liked. See Us - not if I see you first!
 

loved for four, concerto, prima - but the costumes seemed to have “garlands” like tied balloon ends - weird.

diamonds- phew real ballet at last. Reminded me that I haven’t seen this live for too long.

I would have been at ROH but for the train strike. Hope it’s a great evening for everyone who can attend.

Hi bill could I have the 19 nov stalls standing 1 pm ticket please?

Yes Fiona and she danced it here with Vasiliev in the Mikhailovsky production, which I saw at the Coli.

13 hours ago, annamk said:

A long time since I've seen a performance of Giselle that moved me as much as this evening did.

 

The leads Cojocaru, Trusch and Kovalenko were exceptional. 

 

The production is sublime. It left me questioning whether most of the current productions and the way they're danced have become overly mannered and too athletic/gymnastic. 

 

 

 

 

Yes I pondered that too Anna and have watched again the Ratmansky Bolshoi production. That to me has the perfect combination.