Pulcinella

I notice Wales misses out completely! I apologise, I see they are in Cardiff in December, where they open the tour.

Unfortunately I won't be able to attend either of the B'ham performances but I've just looked at the BRB website and casting is given for both performances. Although the same pieces are being performed there are different casts for the two evenings. https://www.brb.org.uk/whats-on/event/evening-music-dance-2022

I've just looked through this and it states (my highlighting): "Under the directorship of Kevin O’Hare, The Royal Ballet unites tradition and innovation in world- class performances and is a driving force in the development of ballet as an art form. Based at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, it brings together today’s most dynamic and versatile dancers with a world-class orchestra and leading choreographers, composers, conductors, directors and creative teams to share awe-inspiring theatrical experiences with diverse audiences worldwide. The Company’s extensive repertory embraces 19th-century classics, the singular legacy of works by Founder Choreographer Frederick Ashton and Principal Choreographer Kenneth MacMillan, a compelling new canon of work by choreographers today including Resident Choreographer Wayne McGregor and Artistic Associate Christopher Wheeldon, and the bold and complementary programming in the Linbury Theatre. Guest choreographers Cathy Marston, Crystal Pite, Twyla Tharp, Pam Tanowitz, Hofesh Shechter, Arthur Pita and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui have also created work for the Company." It seems that only the full length works of Ashton and MacMillan are really considered a legacy. I think any visits I make next season are going to be very much dictated by the casts in the full lengths. I can't say that the mixed bills appeal enough to warrant the distance I have to travel and the costs of travel and hotel I incur.

I have to agree with DanJL about this performance, the whole company were on fire and Nunez and Muntagirov gave a lesson in how to completely control all your movements while making them exciting as well. A well deserved standing ovation at the end, a rarity for the ballet at the Hippodrome. It made all the travel problems I had getting there well worthwhile and I came away with a broad grin on my face. This was my first viewing of this production as I unfortunately had to miss the matinee last Saturday as all my trains were cancelled owing to the storms. Looking forward to seeing Mizutani and Monaghan tomorrow afternoon and having another view of the production.

The circle of the Hippodrome is divided into a central block and two side blocks. There is a rail at the bottom of the stairs dividing these blocks and this can be an obstruction if you sit on the gangway seats rows A- C side block. There is a steep rake in the circle so most other seats should give a good view unless you have someone excessively tall in front of you. Alternatively, if you are short I would recommend a gangway seat on the side block of the stalls (if available) as you look across the aisle and the person in front of you is not normally an obstruction.

The casts for 22 & 23 February have just been announced. Both performances are Marianella Nunez and Vadim Muntagirov!

I'm fairly certain transcripts of the interviews eventually appear on the LBC website which are available for anyone to read.

I've just tried this out of interest to buy a ticket for Swan Lake and got Page not found (error 404). Luckily I didn't actually want a ticket but there's something seriously wrong with the booking system when it can't even go to a page to actually book a ticket. I'm not looking forward to general booking if this continues. Let's hope they've fixed it by then. It gives them until 22nd Feb to sort it out. Good luck everyone for Friends booking.

The casts for Don Q for performances in Birmingham, Salford, Sunderland and Plymouth are now on the website. https://www.brb.org.uk/whats-on/event/don-quixote-2022

Yes they are, although I am now having to go to Shrewsbury instead of Aberystwyth to see it as they've got 'technical problems " at the Arts Centre.

They seem to be visiting several places throughout January. https://moscowcityballet.com/press/

The casts for BRB's Nutcracker in Birmingham have just been announced. https://www.brb.org.uk/whats-on/event/nutcracker-2021 Eight different casts over 26 performances.

Having just read through this thread I have to say that I am lucky enough to own Lynn Seymour's costume from the Balcony Scene of Romeo and Juliet, bought many years ago at an auction held by the Friends of BRB. How they came by it I have no idea.

BBC4 this Sunday, 17 Oct, Romeo and Juliet: Beyond Words with Francesca Hayward and William Bracewell.

Thank you Janet.

For any members in the UK who are having difficulty obtaining a copy of this book I can arrange for it to be delivered directly to your home or place of work. I run an independent bookshop in Mid Wales and can get our main supplier to send the book directly to you. As a member of this forum I am happy to supply the book postage free to other members. If you are interested please message me. There are other members of the forum who know me and I hope would be willing to vouch for me, so that you know this is not a scam.

The casts for BRB's Romeo & Juliet in B'ham and Plymouth has just been announced. https://www.brb.org.uk/whats-on/event/romeo-and-juliet Why they couldn't have spread all the casts over the two venues I don't know. As it is there are three casts in B'ham and another three totally different ones in Plymouth.

My copy arrived today but as I own a bookshop I was able to order it direct from our main supplier. It is a sumptuous volume with lots of photographs and loads to read. Our supplier is showing that they have 49 copies in stock so start complaining if you haven't received your copy yet.

Sheila, If you go to the following site and enter the location you want it should show up. It is showing York and also Aberystwyth where I usually go. https://www.bolshoiballetincinema.com/tickets/

Unfortunately it seems to be showing in a peculiar selection of cinemas. It isn't at either of the ones I see the Royal or Bolshoi broadcasts, which are still a fair distance from where I live. The nearest cinema to me that this is showing is nearly 45 miles away. Too far to go for an evening showing.

Sorry, I got my timeline muddled, blame getting older and the pandemic going on for so long it almost seems like longer. What I meant was just having carried my tickets over from last year.

I'm also disappointed with this change. I had tickets for this in 2019 which, of course, was cancelled. I elected to hold them over to last year and then again to this year. Having moved away from Birmingham three years ago I had decided not to see Nutcracker again, having seen it more times than I can count since it was first produced, but when my son, who now lives in London, said he would like to see it again we agreed to meet halfway between where we both live. He didn't want to see it at the RAH, partly cost and partly because it wouldn't be the original production. Now he's stuck with what he didn't want to see. It sounds from the email that we won't be getting the stunning transformation scene when the fireplace turns round but "projections " instead. I feel short changed!

The show is booked in to the B'ham Hippodrome 6 - 11 June next year, presumably as part of a national tour. I somehow doubt it will have the same cast as at the Wells though.

Congratulations to Valentino Zucchetti on winning the Dance Award of the South Bank Awards Show for Scherzo. He was obviously really surprised to have won. For anyone who missed the show it will be on Sky Arts again on Sunday from 9.00 - 11.00.

There was a 12.00 performance on a Friday in June 2019 of the triple bill Firebird/Month in the Country/Symphony in C. It caused me all sorts of problems working out how I was going to get to London to see it without spending a fortune.