RobR

5 minutes ago, Lizbie1 said:

 

There was a recent study (done in Bangladesh) which purported to show this but even if you were to ignore the various concerns raised about it, the difference was about 1 in 8 or 9. Which would be better than nothing, but it's no magic bullet.

And last night at Sadlers Wells, only a minority appeared to be masked in both the auditorium or the foyer (and on the tube). 
 

Mind you, the audience demographic at SW generally seems younger than that at the ROH. 

(Hopefully, as one of the unmasked, this won’t be my ‘last post’ 😉)

Just back from a really enjoyable evening watching Hofesh Shechter's double bill at Sadlers Wells. 

The first part is the company’s 2016 choreography, 'Clowns', described in the programme as 'dark, funny, macabre and murderous', and it’s all that; effervescent dancing, performed crisply by a very fit, energetic and well-rehearsed company of ten who coordinate intricate movements to a driving soundtrack of a drumming and choral combination. It was terrific.

The second piece, 'The Fix', was calmer by comparison to the earlier performance, exploring (as I understood it) the relationship of seven friends, one of whom was alternately anxiously seeking his fix, enjoying his friends company and, finally, needing their support as he suffered a post-intoxicating withdrawal. Not as vibrant or amusing as the first piece but certainly thought provoking. 
 

My first taste of Hofesh Shechter but, like the character in the second piece, I shall certainly look forward to watching them again. 

On 23/08/2021 at 17:35, Sim said:

Yes, replacing an injured Kobborg. 

Sorry, but I’m still catching up.
 

James was danced by Ivan Putrov and Rupert Pennefather in the original run.  
 

Kobborg wasn’t injured but opted to dance ‘The Lesson’ (the other piece in the double bill)

with Alina Cojocaru and Deirdre Chapman. 

And, to get back on topic - I shan’t be going to the stage door for the time being.

Thanks Alison,

I've taken it to the 'About' forum.

Apropos the streamings, I did my best at the outset of the first lockdown. I watched what I could, I dug out old dvds and even joined Marquee tv, but it wasn’t real and I also missed my chums in the Floral Hall, so ……

On 18/06/2021 at 07:55, zxDaveM said:

We have switched the badges/rankings system 'off', as no one seemed to have anything positive to say about them, and we could see no real value in having them there,

So bye-bye badges

Hi Dave,

I’ve missed the above mini-furore about badges. I’m afraid the lack of live ballet resulted in my less than commendable attention to the detail of the forum but now, armed with both tickets and anticipation, I’ve signed in again. 
 

I am puzzled by the little blue badges that you and other mods seem to be sporting on your posts and, having asked for clarification elsewhere, was helpfully referred to this thread. 
 

Although you say “bye-bye badges” they still seem to be next to your name and photo and the names/posts of other mods. in addition, you are described as 'moderator' or 'committee'.

So, I’m just not clear why some of you have blue badges next to your names. Is it that you’re more important, that your opinions and posts are more worthy than the posts of other members without badges, or is it technologically akin to those little enamel lapel membership badges than some people wear

I had thought, and hope that it is still the case that the Forum members are all equal and that their opinions and posts had equal value. 
 

Best,

Robert
 

I’m afraid that in the absence of any/much ballet, I haven’t been following the Forum as often as I did formerly but I’ve now (re)started doing so.

I seem to have missed the post about the little blue shields which now appear against some of your names. 
 

Perhaps someone could tell me the significance of these 😀

Sorry, Capybara, I may have missed something in the thread but I was in row J yesterday afternoon and from my vantage point I could see that the Stalls Circle seemed quite well populated. 

Writing from the perspective of a parent, whose child attended ballet classes until 11 and a full time ballet school thereafter, and is now a professional ballet dancer, I can’t recall any parent (well connected or not) succeeding in promoting a less able child (at any age) to the disadvantage of more able pupils.

Naturally, any parent will do whatever they might believe would assist but, after watching the progress of whole classes of children over a 12 year period, the better dancers always looked better than the others, they were the ones spotted by the schools, the companies and the directors.
 

I didn’t know much when I started watching, but in the following 12 years, can’t recall seeing a poorer dancer selected ahead of a better one. The popular parental trope was that one should compare the dancing of one's own child with the dancing of the others in the class/year group to gauge ability. It seemed a pretty infallible approach. 
 

If I could see it, which I could, so could any professional appraiser watching the group. 
 

Well, it all sounds very nice but who’s dancing ‘Little girl’? 

7 minutes ago, Pas de Quatre said:

I cannot believe that anyone could seriously say such a thing in this day and age!  Get down to grass roots level and how many children do football and how many do ballet?  There may be a weighting towards boys for the football and towards ballet for the girls, but across a whole community surely it would even out.  Even though football clubs have done a great deal to attract families, it is still very much a male environment, you almost expect him to tell the womenfolk to make sure tea is on the table they get home, and that they shouldn't worry their pretty little heads about such things as politic and economics.

 

Please feel free to shoot me down in flames!

You put it perfectly - I couldn’t have put it better myself

So, apart from Janet McNulty, this forum's membership must be predominantly from the South given that the MP for Rossendale and Darwen contends that Northerners prefer football to ballet 
 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-54908862

No one has mentioned the Hofesh Schechter opening - what a super start to a great evening. 
 

And how nice to see the all Company in Elite.
 

The pas de deux were great, particularly Carousel, but I always think that without the rest of the company, particularly the Corps, and without the general narrative of a full ballet, it’s just two dancers in search of a role.

It’s very positive news at a very difficult time. 
 

These young dancers will have been hugely worried, and may still be, about what the future holds. All will have been in training for eight years and they, and the years below, at the RBS and other schools, will be very concerned about what their future holds. 
 

So, this is definitely good news. 

Just heard, and I hope I’m right, that the Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, has confirmed that theatres and cinemas (and I assume ballet/opera companies) are exempt from the 10pm curfew 

5 hours ago, capybara said:

They had to do it, I know, but, in addition to the film, the group I was with was asked for donations 5 times, as well as being urged to spend in the shop.

The “give us money” message is difficult to deliver but maybe less would have been more?

I’ve no real problem with the multiple requests. All of us on BCF are aware of the need to support the Arts and, with our interest, the RB/ROH in particular. Many of us will already have sent donations to the RB and/or other Arts venues/companies. 
 

That said, 75% of my group (3) had never previously visited the ROH and may not have appreciated the multiplicity of funding requirements and the 'taster' tour may spark an interest to both watch and support the Arts.

There you go, two more 😉

57 minutes ago, Scheherezade said:

 

My goodness, RobR, but in your photo you look barely old enough to wear a mask.

I’d give you more ‘likes’ if I could 🙏

Thanks 

There were no restrictions on photos and I would have done a selfie but for the fact that I was wearing a mask although some would say I look better wearing a mask ;)

I don’t know if anyone else went but it was wonderful to be back in the ROH, to visit the ground floor cafe/bar, the shop and to go on the backstage tour.

All the ROH staff seemed very happy to be showing us around and were all very helpful and informative. 
 

The Stalls seating has been completely removed, to enable the orchestra to perform on a socially distanced footing for the upcoming live performances to be streamed. 
 

The tour finished on stage, where the informative and very engaging David Pickering, showed us all how to bow/curtsey to the Royal Box and the imaginary audience, accompanied by real  and very good-natured clapping from the ROH backstage staff present. 
 

I finished off in the shop buying cards/postcards of my favourite ballet dancer. 
 

So good to be back 

Any other Forum member intending to be there on Sunday for the 7pm tour?

Sorry for the mixed metaphor 

37 minutes ago, Peony said:

Is that with standard booking (not friends etc)? All the slots still say unavailable for me☹️

I think so. I had the same problem for the Friends dates that others have reported. 
 

Very nice to be able to post positively on the Forum. 
 

I’m hoping it’s a ‘green shoot’ on the road to the return of events at the ROH

Well, I’ve got one for Sunday evening 🎈🎈

2 hours ago, alison said:

Presumably the Royal Ballet showings are only those which were broadcast in the cinemas earlier, though?

Yes, quite possibly but the difference for me is that they are available now and online without my having to buy the dvd, at about £20 each, as and when it’s for sale and, with a terminable rental of about £9.00 per month for all of them. 
 

But, I’m not advising anyone else doing what I’ve done, merely pointing out that it’s there and on a free trial offer.