Balletfanp

Yes, me too - it certainly isn’t obvious and took me a few minutes to locate.

Not sure if this helps but on my phone there was a sort of TV screen icon on the live video top right, and I was able to connect to my Chromecast from there.

Ah, that’s where I have heard Liam Mower’s name before! He was very good.

OK, well here goes - I don't think I've ever written the first review before! The performance went down very well - a standing ovation for the cast. Matthew Bourne is very popular in Plymouth and he makes no secret of the fact that he likes Plymouth and often opens here. I didn't bother with a programme as they never have casting in it, but thankfully they posted up cast lists around the foyer areas so I took note, not knowing the dancers in New Adventures well enough to identify them by sight. The Swan/Stranger - Matthew Ball. The Prince - Liam Mower. The Queen - Nicole Kagera. The Girlfriend - Katrina Lyndon. The Private Secretary - Glenn Graham. I'm not a fan of Matthew Ball in everything, but I thought, when they announced that he would be dancing in this, that the role would be an excellent fit for him and play to his strengths, and I'm happy to report that my instinct didn't err in this respect. Ball was terrific. I think there were a few first night nerves - he was a bit tentative to begin with, and had an unfortunate slip at one point (the sort of thing that could happen to anybody), but he recovered quickly and his performance quickly gathered pace. He made a strong and sinuous swan, and really came into his own in Act 2 as the Stranger - he smouldered his way around the stage, swaggering, bold and charismatic, with excellent partnering too. Very James Dean! The final scenes with the swans in the Prince's bedroom was danced to the hilt and with passion. The whole cast were excellent, Liam Mower in particular, and he and Ball made a good pair who seemed to connect with each other very well. And of course the Swans - a tough thing to dance - were all fantastic. On the way out there were some other cast members who had been in the audience watching and they confirmed that the Swans are exhausting to dance. It was nice to talk to them and wish them luck for the rest of the run. As far as the actual ballet goes - this was my first time seeing Bourne's Swan Lake - not quite sure why, just never seem to have got round to seeing it before! I have, however, seen several Bourne ballets and I do feel that Bourne is somehow like a bit of a secret that I haven't quite been let in on. I've never disliked anything of his that I've seen - but I always come away not quite sure what everyone raves about. Mild enjoyment is generally my reaction but with no particular desire to see it again. Swan Lake was slightly better in this respect and I found the ending rather more moving than the new RB version, truth be told. I do like the touches of humour he seems to put in all his ballets, and it's always very cleverly choreographed and staged - but.... I'm not sure I can put my finger on it. That said, I was very glad I dragged myself out in the filthy weather and Ball was well worth it!

Well, Matthew Ball has now confirmed on Instagram that "tonight is the night" so I have bagged a last minute ticket and will report back! 😁

Good point. But don't want to chance it without being sure.

I’m desperately trying to find out which shows he is dancing in Plymouth so that I can hopefully bag a last minute ticket. I have even contacted New Adventures but not even a response....

I think Hayward and Muntagirov would make an interesting couple in R&J.

Olivia Cowley did something like that a year or so ago where she got her fellow dancers to donate and sign their used pointe shoes and in return for a donation to the Alzheimer’s Society you were sent a pair. It was luck of the draw as to whose you got - I think that’s how it worked, anyway. I thought it was a great idea.

Yes, I love both The Dream and M&A, but to have Symphonic Variation was the main reason I bought this DVD. I adore it, and with this cast..... 20 mins of pure heaven.

I have to say, I enjoyed the RB Don Quixote when I saw it a few years ago, but then I haven’t really seen any other full versions of the ballet to compare it with. I thought it was colourful and fun - not exactly a deep story, but it’s the kind of thing that if you take at face value as a bit of light-hearted froth with brilliant dancing (depending on who is dancing it, of course!), you can enjoy it for what it is. I saw Takada and Muntagirov in the main roles so dancing excellence and fireworks aplenty!

Yes, but with Nunez. He has danced it with Cutherbertson at galas before but probably the timing of this wouldn’t work - for him or for Nunez?

I was distracted by the light of a phone constantly being looked at right across the other side of the auditorium. Whatever they are doing with it - filming, tweeting - they can’t know how completely obvious and distracting it is 😡

Not the Teatro Real’s fault, but it was obvious once or twice that the stage must be slightly smaller than the ROH - the Corps ensembles looked a bit cramped on a couple of occasions, and I also noticed that some of the dancers were only just able to move out of the way of the main performers in the nick of time because they had less room. That said, none of this detracted from a magnificent performance from all the cast; and Nunez and Muntagirov coped with the Act 3 musical bloopers with style!

I think it was the Teatro Real Orchestra but if I’m wrong, someone please correct me!

The orchestra was a bit ropey in places too last night, especially in Act 3.

I agree - certainly at a very special performance where it is richly deserved, like last night.

I too was there, Jenny - and agree with every word. I don't think I have ever seen Marianela and Vadim better. I felt quite tearful at the end of Act 3. They absolutely brought the house down. Marianela’s technique was phenomenal - her control amazing throughout. Vadim absolutely nailed his variations, especially those double double tours - each lot bang on. And emotionally, as you say, they pulled out all the stops. A huge crowd waiting to see them outside. The whole company were on blistering form. The national dances really sparkled. I took the chance after Act 3 to ask the woman sitting next to me with whom I’d been chatting, what she thought of the Spanish dance, as a Spanish person. Her reply? “I’m so sorry, I’m actually French!” 🙄 But she thought it was fabulous, anyway!

Sad news, I like her very much as a dancer and have always thought it a shame she hasn’t progressed further. Loved her Clara. But possibly she will have more opportunity elsewhere.

It's official! Very happy about all of these 😀 http://www.roh.org.uk/news/the-royal-ballet-announces-promotions-for-2018-19-season?utm_source=social&utm_medium=twitter

I adored watching John Curry as a child and even took up ice skating for a couple of years (didn’t last - too scared of falling!). He was such a beautiful skater and artist and so talented - had he been allowed to follow his inclination he would probably have been a wonderful dancer with a real flair for choreography. I loved the L’Apres-midi d’un Faune too - but then I love the music. However, his take on it was beautiful. It was also unexpectedly moving and he was clearly a somewhat tortured soul. Found myself verging on tearful at times. Well worth watching and yes, it’s on iPlayer.

This is so sad. I have a family member with autism and there is too little understanding. Signed.

That’s great!

Yes, me too!

Swan Lake was pretty well attended at Vue Plymouth but I imagine that’s the pulling power of a well known ballet and quite a bit of hype in the press. Having said that, ticket prices have actually come down from almost £20, to just over £16 - I suspect the imminent opening of a brand new multiplex right in the city centre might have something to do with that! Healthy competition.