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Everything posted by Odyssey
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I would be interested to know about the practice of flower throwing. I believe it is now reserved for farewell performances and the occasional gala, yet I have seen many recordings from Covent Garden to suggest it used to be a more frequent occurrence. Is the rarity of this practice a case of health and safety gone mad/ the cost of flowers or for some other reason ? And, I'd be interested to hear of any recent performances when there has been a showers of flowers. Returning to the original post in this thread, this is a lovely way of showing appreciation for both male and female dancers.
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The Royal Ballet, Manon, Autumn 2014
Odyssey replied to annamk's topic in Performances seen & general discussions
I'd like to add just one further point about tweets( although I do agree we should be talking about Manon here). When you are in a fairly empty cinema where we follow the general custom of no clapping, it is a warm feeling to know there are others out there who have shared the magic and want to express their enthusiasm- 311 replies
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The Royal Ballet, Manon, Autumn 2014
Odyssey replied to annamk's topic in Performances seen & general discussions
Just got back from the live screening of Manon and what a wonderful performance it was. Sadly, there were only about 20 people in the audience- but not that surprising given there was no advertising for the screening around the cinema. I thought the interview with Lady Macmillan during the first interval was insightful and for once, Darcey seemed more at ease when interviewing her. I've seen Manon several times at the theatre, including a performance by Guillem, but I have to say being able to see close ups made it a very emotional and memorable performance. Nunez and Bonelli were superb tonight.- 311 replies
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Sylvie Guillem announces her retirement
Odyssey replied to mimi66's topic in Ballet / Dance news & information
Has she announced what her future plans are? -
DVDs and Blu Rays fairly inexpensive
Odyssey replied to BristolBillyBob's topic in Performances seen & general discussions
I will have to find the video and check. One of the extracts is an interview with Darcey who,is about to participate in the prix de Lausanne (1986?) -
Ballet at Music Festivals
Odyssey replied to restor's topic in Performances seen & general discussions
Yes this is an accessible event which presents a wide range of ballet extracts. Birmingham also hosts a dance festival - I think it is an annual event- BRB participate alongside other dance troops from a wide spectrum. I believe these kind of events can help bind a company to their home - BRB is much loved in Birmingham and their outreach programme is exemplary. However, it is still a challenge to convince the person who may have enjoyed several short extracts to book for a full programme of ballet. One drawback of the festival approach is that it could result in "bite-size" ballet becoming the norm. I'm thinking of the wonderful production of The Winter's Tale - would works such as this be commissioned in such a world? -
DVDs and Blu Rays fairly inexpensive
Odyssey replied to BristolBillyBob's topic in Performances seen & general discussions
I have a combined DVD/VHS video player which thankfully still works. There's so many performances/documentaries and little features I have taped over the years which would be really difficult to track down. I have labelled the longer programmes but occasionally I come across an unmarked gem such as a very young Darcey Bussell on Blue Peter and Saturday Superstore - happy memories ! -
Ballet photography books
Odyssey replied to BristolBillyBob's topic in Performances seen & general discussions
I share your love of ballet books and have built up a fair collection over the years. I agree about The Art of the Royal Ballet - one of my favourites. There is a further title by Keith Money called The Royal Ballet Today which is very nice. Also his books on Fonteyn are wonderful photographic tributes. Another one in a similar vein is The Dancer's World Alexander Bland & Michael Peto . Here's a couple more favourites that haven't been mentioned:- Sibley & Dowell , Leslie Spatt & Nicholas Dromgoole, Karen Kain, Lady of Dance, David Street and Nureyev, Clive Barnes. I'm not surprised you have been able to pick up titles quite cheaply. Books seem to have decreasing value as people dispose of their collections and there's been a huge rise in online discounting of new books. Great for the new collector, but sad that the secondhand bookshop is fast disappearing along with independent booksellers.- 25 replies
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Giselle plus one or not - that is the question
Odyssey replied to zxDaveM's topic in Performances seen & general discussions
One of my first visits to the ballet ( Sadler Wells) had Monotones prior to Giselle. I had been taken to see a traditional, romantic ballet - which I loved, but Monotones was a revelation to my young eyes. I do think there is an added bonus of introducing a new (and often younger) audience to works they wouldn't otherwise make an outing to see - particularly plotless works. -
What's your favourite dance video ?
Odyssey replied to Kira's topic in Performances seen & general discussions
Janet, thank you for posting the Swansong extract. I have a very old video copy of this and like you used to play it endlessly. Ghost Dances is another favourite of mine. -
Audience Behaviour
Odyssey replied to Jan McNulty's topic in Performances seen & general discussions
Just widening this thread a little to enquire if people have found the behaviour at the live screenings is similar to that expected at a live performance. From my experience of three screenings, I have found audience behaviour to be excellent, with no evidence of widespread eating & drinking which you would suspect might be the case at a cinema. There's certainly less chance of being annoyed by spreading legs and elbows as there is usually far more room! My one (slightly) annoying incident at the recent screening of The Winter's Tale was from one half of a couple behind me who kept up a running commentary of remarks to his other half such as "ooh that was nice" & " how about that". But as these were all complimentary remarks, and ones that I found I shared, I really couldn't get too annoyed by this distraction. -
What a joy! I don't know where to begin. Dramatically, I don't recall having come across such a vivid realisation of jealousy - to see someone so racked in torment and then self loathing as Watson's portrayal of Leontes demonstrated ( as if it needed to be proved) how ably dance can communicate the rawest of emotions. The pas de deux in Act 2 was dance heaven - some wonderful lifts and gorgeous parallel shapes beautifully performed by Lamb & McRae. The resolution of the third act was incredibly moving with Cuthbertson creating a wonderful feeling of serenity in her movements. I love the score and can't wait to hear it again - such variety of instrumentation and interesting rhythmic variations. I imagine it must be a real joy for the dancers to have the musicians on stage. The tree! The interpretation of "exit pursued by a bear" I'd read about these moments but they still worked their magic. The storytelling of this giant of a play was clear and required no explanation. Some inventive and clever choreography - thank you Mr. Weeldon for one of the most stimulating ballet going experiences I have had the pleasure to enjoy.
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Last ballerina in Iraq - Channel 4
Odyssey replied to Quintus's topic in Performances seen & general discussions
There's a lot of information on the Channel 4 website (UnreportedWorld)including several short clips from the programme. I found it a very salutary experience-particularly the worn pointe shoes and the piano the gifted Mohammed was paying - we have so much to be grateful for. Sadly the future of the school and Leezan's career as a dancer looks pretty bleak. -
Primas, Assolutas, Ballerinas and Nobles
Odyssey replied to Anjuli_Bai's topic in Performances seen & general discussions
With regard to the title assoluta, it doesn't appear to be a term used as a description for female dancers in recent years. (This may be different in Russia). I have only seen this description used in reference to Ferri. Perhaps this is because dancers do not remain with one company throughout their career, and there may be less motivation to apply the term - mind you Ferri danced with several companies, so my logic doesn't apply to her. I think it is sad this isn't a term generally recognised for someone of the status of Makarova. -
Ballet and Dance on BBC TV
Odyssey replied to Josephine's topic in Ballet / Dance news & information
Thank you for the information about the red button. I really enjoyed the extra programme. I was curious to hear Darcey's comment about her first appearance with Sadler Wells when she appeared as a skeleton - does anyone know which ballet she was referring to? I also loved the tiny footage of her in Birthday Offering - a glimpse of an arabesque which she appeared to hold for ages. -
The Royal Ballet - Sleeping Beauty, Spring 2014
Odyssey replied to alison's topic in Performances seen & general discussions
Sorry, I forgot that she is no longer a guest. But I think my overall point is still valid.- 376 replies
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The Royal Ballet - Sleeping Beauty, Spring 2014
Odyssey replied to alison's topic in Performances seen & general discussions
Yes, Don Q, I thought your original point was understandable. Those of us who are unable to visit Covent Garden on a fairly regular basis choose our casting with a certain amount of trepidation. Having booked for a dancer you are keen to see perform in a particular role, a cast change brought about by injury (although it can reap unexpected rewards), is bound to cause upset as you reflect that there goes that one opportunity to see the dancer. This is particularly pertinent if the dancer is a guest artist (which is relevant to your post about Osipova). At least there is the consolation that as SB is regularly performed, further opportunities will follow:)- 376 replies
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Really pleased to see Onegin is back . Would someone be so kind as to explain the restrictions placed upon it being filmed. I'm sure I have seen excerpts in the past, although not the Royal Ballet's staging. The triple bills really took my eye, it's disappointing that there is no live screening. I agree about there being a glut of filmed broadcasts of Alice, but I guess there is no alternative in the run up to Xmas. Incidentally, are there more performances which are filmed during the season for Sky Arts? I'm hoping a triple bill might be included.
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Why did Darcey Bussell become so famous?
Odyssey replied to chrischris's topic in Performances seen & general discussions
A couple of observations I would add to the excellent points already made concerning Darcey are her height and more athletic physique which was frequently drawn attention to as untypical of the traditional Royal Ballet /English trained dancer. These qualities made her look wonderful in Balanchine roles, and guesting with New York City Ballet, she gained a wider audience for her work. I think a lot of balletomanes were quite proud that here was an English dancer who could shine in this repertoire. ( whereas Fonteyn had not). I also recall that when Darcey was given the lead role in Prince of the Pagodas & was created a Principal at such a young age, she was frequently on children's TV - (Blue Peter & the Saturday Morning Live programmes). Children's ballet books & merchandise appeared bearing her name. So, a whole generation grew up aware of Darcey and her meteoric rise which in many ways resembled a fairy tale.