Shade

What interesting and insightful comments Nogoat. I will be forever grateful to Ms Osipova and Mr Vasiliev for igniting my interest in ballet. Their Bolshoi performances in 2010 were like a jolt of electricity hitting the ballet world, especially the Don Q. As a result of that I have seen more ballet performances with different dancers and companies than I did in the year’s before. The most important quality I look for is a dancer who can communicate with the audience and who can move my very soul. That is the unique effect of Ms Osipova for me. “Still after all these years? -Always.”

Thank you Nogoat for your comprehensive analysis. I generally agree but I did find Act 3 on Saturday just as visceral as the Hallberg performance. I recall a real scream in that one though. Did you see the Acosta R&J?

TSR101 - I think new audiences are essential or this great art form will die out but surely if there are certain guidelines like not leaning forward and blocking the view of others or talking over the performance they should be complied with. Bringing drinks in glasses into the auditorium is also a safety issue. Consideration for others seems to have suffered over the course of the pandemic more generally I think.

Surely very entitled behaviour. I have not been to ROH since November and would have been v upset if my visit had been disturbed as described above. Perhaps they left for other reasons!

Re the production I always find the balcony scene so moving - I think it is my favourite in the ballet.

what extravagance Sim and cheek handing the glasses to the usher- as if they were a waiter!

So Raymonda is scheduled for the Mayflower in the Autumn? As I missed the London run I could catch it there then

Sim that is shocking

So sorry to hear of your experience art. I was in the amphi and a couple in front were also leaning forward. The very muscular man in the seat beside me politely asked them not to - and they complied. I suspect they didn’t want to argue with him! At first interval the usher reminded audience members not to lean forward - that helped. But I was also shocked to see people bringing in glasses of wine into the auditorium and drinking during the performance! is there a different audience on a Saturday?

Congratulations to Mr Clarke on his RB debut as Romeo - a lovely performance on Saturday. Surely he should be promoted soon. The whole company seemed energised and the sword fights etc were thrilling. Orchestra on form too. So many handsome dancers I am surprised that there was room on the stage! In addition to Clark, there was Acri, Hirano, Braendsrod. Always happy to see Mr Avis too. Ospiova and Clarke what a partnership to see developing - his height and strength meant the lifts looked really impressive . Together they are even more beautiful, if such is possible! Ms Osipova’s performance was epic. To take us from ecstasy to heartbreak in the course of a few hours an Oscar worthy performance. In some of the photos it seems that she shed a tear herself - she gave it everything so I am not surprised. I had decided not to see any R & Js this run but then I thought it would be foolish to miss out on one of Osipova’s great roles and Clarke’s debut. So I managed to get a return ticket and am so glad I did. It was a privilege to be there. I was very sorry I had to leave immediately to catch a train. I normally would stay to show my appreciation to all the artists but as I was running down the stairs from the amphi I could hear the thunderous applause - so much deserved.

Wonderful photos Rob thank you. just home after marathon train journey and overwhelmed with tonight’s performance.

Interesting - I have just finished the Petipa biography and think the ballet is referred to as The Sleeping Beauty but not sure if that is authoritative.

Well I have booked for the Saturday matinee and am looking forward to a joyful show. I always find Don Q uplifting. And I got 10% off. Show looks like it’s sold well.

Not sure about the Crimean War but wasn’t Wellington at a ball before the battle of Waterloo? So the idea is not so unrealistic.

Thanks for these reviews - sounds interesting

Happy birthday to the Forum and thanks to the Mods

Yes you cannot make that assumption. No vaccine is 100 % effective and efficacy Vs new variants has to be established. It is still the most positive step that an individual can take, unless clinically inappropriate.

Thanks Emerald so this may have been only her third performance in the RB production since 2013.

I call those the bunny hops - v weird to my eyes. I do recall Osipova having no problem with them back in 2013 I think, although her expression was more of a grimace! Has she danced this role at RB since then?

It doesn’t seem to broaden access though at those prices. I hope she won’t be disappointed!

I think Giselle emerging from the grave is very effective and atmospheric. I do prefer it

The Nutcracker is short!

Oh dear - that’s a shame. personally I would rather save my money for Giselle than Nutcracker. I would love to see Cinderella at Christmas for a change.

I shall try to catch this- she is always such an intelligent speaker

Having watched all the clips above I do prefer the fuller skirts of many of the romantic tutus. They seem to create more of a floating atmosphere.