balletyas

Sitting in the Stalls Circle saw it very clearly. Loved the coda..

Perhaps he fell for her because she was unattainable and beautiful and ‘other’ - one has known men who find elusiveness very beguiling….often men who have lots of women falling at their feet as Prince S so obviously does in Act III.. And perhaps because she so obviously needed help/rescuing - he might’ve responded to that too… I didn’t see Nagdhi’s portrayal as cold at all but she certainly didn’t have the eager readiness to fall in love that she exhibited in Giselle or latterly in Manon, so whatever she was doing and feeling was obviously an artistic choice. Anyway it’s all speculation really and one either responds to someone or one doesn’t so I’ve probably said enough!

I so agree re the double - I felt the hair colour difference was so jarring at the end that it completely broke the spell. A properly dark wig isn’t surely that hard to come by. I’ve always felt that there are too many Nunez/Muntagirov livestreams but maybe Nagdhi/Ball are catching up…

I so agree with that analysis of Yasmine’s Odette - she was deeply sad and knew she was doomed - and that underpinned it all. Likewise think Matthew was convincing, truthful and so direct in conveying his feelings to her and did in fact dance particularly beautifully after the ‘slip’ . And yes although I thoughJun’s jumps even more remarkable than I remember then, I didn’t feel his overall technique held up against the others and more importantly perhaps his characterisation wasn’t yet there - as you say he is very young and inexperienced and will get better and better.

Yes absolutely right - if it fits the narrative then fine, but after what is a deeply private and intense moment in the story, like the act 2 pdd, it is so jarring and must undermine the dancer’s own engagement with their character. It doesn’t happen in theatre so I don’t think it should happen in ballet.

I quite agree that Naghdi is the safest pair of hands besides Nunez and that makes it so easy to watch her. And yes - she does ‘become’ her characters and I’m beginning to think that’s why her Odette tonight was on the chilly side - I think what we were seeing was someone who darent let herself show her feelings too much, in case it might all crumble, as indeed it does. In fact once she knew she was doomed I felt she let herself go completely and felt her utter resignation very strongly. It takes a great artist to be selective in what they show us.

I wonder if you’ve ever seen her Giselle? That, for me, was the moment I saw her vulnerability and I have seen that ever since although I think less so tonight…

Finally saw it tonight and other than a tiny slip in Act3 I actually thought Matty was superb tonight. His acting was consistent and committed and he was deeply responsive to the music. As was Yasmine who I thought was technically utterly sublime - and always in character. I wanted to love her odette as much as I did last run but I somehow felt her more as Odile, (dazzling, gorgeous,creamy) until Act 4 when I think she and Matty reached another level. They and the entire corps were just perfection. that balance in act 3 / wow - as Sim said she could’ve had a drink and maybe even a smoke, she held it so long. That and the incredible trembling Odette foot (what is that called?) will stay with me for a very long time. I do hate the constant stopping for applause which wrecks the moment for me - is this happening more here at the ROH or just in this production? so many more thoughts but ghastly train requires my attention… more anon

I don’t know how this happened but I wrote something about the applause after the big moment thing and it’s been attributed to Lindsey. I’m very sorry but I don’t know how to sort it out? Moderators?

I finally saw it tonight and other than a tiny slip in Act3 I actually thought Matty was superb tonight. His acting was consistent and committed and he was deeply responsive to the music. As was Yasmine who I thought was technically utterly sublime - and always in character. I wanted to love her odette as much as I did last run but I somehow felt her more as Odile, (dazzling, gorgeous,creamy) until Act 4 when I think she and Matty reached another level. They and the entire corps were just perfection. that balance in act 3 / wow - as Sim said she could’ve had a drink and maybe even a smoke, she held it so long. That and the incredible trembling Odette foot (what is that called?) will stay with me for a very long time. so any more thoughts but ghastly train requires my attention… more anon

Sadly can’t attend the General on Weds 20th at 11:30. I ticket available. DM me if interested. Row C, Seat 26 | Stalls Circle £9

Yes please I’d like to buy it from you. Please DM me your bank details and email address and then you can send me the ticket. Many thanks.

Not sure if I replied correctly to this - can you hold the ticket for 30 mins while u check something?

Could you hold this for me for half an hour while I check something?

Absolutely agree with you on this…