Jillykins

Got it but not a clue how to forward it! So sorry.

Much to my surprise I enjoyed Yugen, I am not a McGregor fan but it really worked for me. Costumes worked well and added to the swirl of movement. The ending with Ben Ella for some obscure reason brought tears to my eye. I shall watch out for this young man! It was a few nights ago so some memories dimmed a bit, wasn’t up to writing straight after performance. Age of Anxiety felt very long, no criticism of dancers but not something I will rush to see again. Corybantic Games had its moments, I quite enjoyed something new. I agree with many posters costumes a bit strange, I liked the skirts, men’s leg wear rather unflattering in some cases and very irritating black ribbons. Why does Wheeldon make dancers slide around,I always think they are going to fall. His signature I suppose like McGregor head bony roll? As always I had a good evening and benefitted from the wonderful Access programme. Looking forward to Saturday Dress Rehearsal. 

Last night packed house at Opera House, Stalls circle standing behind us breathing the most offensive smell of strong, strong garlic over our heads. It really was unpleasant. Also front row man with violent attack of heavy, loud coughing with whispering and loud unwrapping of cough sweets. They did the job. Then gentle, beautiful orchestral opening of next ballet immediate second attack and long search and rustling for sweets. Again worked well. Why didn’t he keep opened sweets handy. The music and dancing terrific.

The Insight rehearsal for Marguerite and Armand was such a special evening. Alexander Agadzhanov was an amazing, inspiring coach. I felt more appreciative of the beautiful choreography than I have ever been. I saw one of the earliest Fonteyn/ Nureyev performances and have been unrealistic about my appreciation of performances since then. Last night I really felt the passion and was amazed by howAgadzhanov managed to perfect every nuance of the relationship. Lauren Cuthbertson and Matthew Ball worked sensitively together displaying some impressive technique. I am so thrilled I have a space at a performance! I know this is my opinion and I would hate to offend anyone but for me last night was a special privilege! 

Thank you for the beautiful pictures. Heartbroken as woke up with streaming cold and had to miss the dress rehearsal. Never mind I have tickets for 1st May, same cast I think. Meanwhile I can enjoy the photos and reviews to come. 

I thought they matched curtains too. I am remembering 60s and 70s but can’t trust my memory! Pleased the cast change in programme as not in loose cast sheets. It is so good to share memories. Blue or red they gave a great feel of a special occasion!  

That sounds right!

Thank you JohnS you leave little for me to say! Great review of such an enjoyable evening. We had a bad start as the demonstrators outside was alarming and noisy and my wheelchair pusher lost concentration and made a good effort of tipping me out. So many kind people came to help us, I am so grateful. All forgotten when ballet started.

The blackness, choreography and music of the opening were riveting for me. I was caught up straight away. I know my next observation is silly but I was drawn to the crowns of the two kings. They were like Christmas cracker crowns, once I thought that I couldn’t get rid of the thought. I know the crowns are symbolic and important. The weakness was mine.

So glad to have seen Bennet Gartside as Antigonus - no recognition in our cast sheet, he is a fine dancer and actor as well. I benefited much from Insight evening, picked up so much more than my last viewing, good to see Christopher Saunders in the audience, what a great coach/teacher he is. I endorse all JohnS said about individual performances. I would like to add that the great appreciation of the orchestra was well deserved. What a great evening ( sorry about the crowns). Another unnecessary comment I do miss the red suited footmen presenting the flowers. Doesn’t look the same in suits! 

1963,I was 9 months pregnant and the smog was horrendous. My husband drove me to London, helped by flares in Streatham High St and we went to the Stoll Theatre (I think) . Then Nureyev erupted onto the stage as the Corsair, and I was spellbound. I will never forget that performance and what it did to male dancers. I was sad to see one of his last performances at the Coliseum, my Nureyev was gone despite his continued magnetism. However what a heritage he left us. I think I was lucky to be around when he exploded onto my ballet world.

So sad to read these posts. The forum is such a source of enjoyment to me,I love sharing and agreeing and disagreeing with peoples opinions. Thank goodness we do feel passionately about the arts! I love to mentally disagree with some posts but don’t like offensive or hurtful remarks. There was a time I worked with interesting colleagues and we had some wonderful agreements and disagreements but now due to age and Ill health my social life is limited. I’m not complaining but trying to say home much I appreciate the views of everybody on the forum. I am always nervous about posting,afraid of saying something silly due to some memory problems but trust the moderators to look after us all. I am really excited looking forward to Winters Tale next Wednesday and reading all the comments. To the offended people please stay with us, I value all  contributions as long as they are not hurtful or offensive. Like Janet says ballet keeps me sane!

Can’t find it! Was it filmed? 

End of Les Patineurs many years ago during spectacular pirouettes at the end the dancers shoe flew into the audience! Brian Shaw springs to mind but my memory is very unreliable. There was much laughing and applause. 

So sad didn’t see Hayward and Campbell so many thanks to all the vivid descriptions of Fridays performance. I feel so lucky to have seen Naghdi,Ball ,Kenaco and Kirsty on Saturday. Sorry don’t have programme on me at the moment so names and spelling may be unreliable. Yasmine’s beautiful arms and expressive face made a real impression on me and Kirsty’s mime was so clear, a convincing performance. I won’t repeat the impressive comments of other forum members. I must Thank forum members for assembling at foot of escalator it was so good to meet some of you and put faces to names. Sorry didn’t stop to say hello to Janet but my companion was worried we might not get my chair into the lift and up to our space before Act 2. Glad I was able to say hello to Sim and tell her how much the forum means to me.

lots to look forward to, especially Swan Lake. Well done our lovely dancers.

Wonderful MargaretN7! Thank you so much.

Would be great to meet/ see other posters and will be at Giselle Sat matinee. Will try to get to bottom of escalator in interval but not sure how feasible from Grand Tier left B3 in a Wheelchair.. If I don’t get to meeting point and you can see me in auditorium give me a wave! Will try and do a dummy run before performance. So excited to be seeing such young talent. I have been so lucky to watch talents emerging over so many years. 

Was there, beautiful work by all involved. It is a privilege to be so close and to see how the dancers absorb and reproduce the slight nuances the choreographer gives. 

I had a perfect day on Saturday at the Coliseum. Thank you to dancers for allowing us to watch company class in the morning. Then the breathtaking Corrales and Zhang in Jeune Homme. Drama, technique and stunning music. The table and chairs seemed like members of the cast. Corrales tortured eyes reached the back of the Stalls, Zhang sneer was chilling.

La Sylphide was a true period piece, full of the charm of Bournonville choreography. Loved Arrieta as James, such elevation and crisp batterie, hands in low bras bas bit wooden but beautiful en l air. I enjoyed the swirl of the kilts and the lovely children. I enjoyed McWhinneys Sylphide but felt the corps of Sylphides were lacking magic, a couple of stilted dancers and bright lighting didn’t help. I am only nitpicking it was a great afternoon. 

Really enjoyed meeting LinMM and Lizbie1. The forum gives me so much. Wonderful to be able to share our feelings even if we don’t always agree. Looking forward to Winters Tale Insight on 30th and Giselle matinee Feb 10.

Wheelchair to seats in row N Stalls for matinee tomorrow and in Stalls bar before performance. Sorry can’t get up to upper circle! Very excited first trip out for pleasure for a while.  

It worked well on Coliseum stage. However like idea of it in round. 

So many promising male dancers I would love to see a Royal production of Spartacus. Was blown away many years ago one summer by Mukhemedov in Spartacus. He would be a brilliant coach and we have a choice of men for the role of Spartacus. I can dream, would also like to see Winter Dreams again. 

Thank you so much! Anticipation is part of the joy of ballet. Thrilled with cast I will see but equally happy about company class. Royal don’t seem to offer class anymore or perhaps my friends membership is too lowly.

Just booked for company class at Coliseum on January 20th and matinee performance of Jeune Homme and La Sylphide. Very thrilled as mid unpleasant chemo and it is something to look forward to. Coliseum access brilliant, in stallsand can transfer from wheelchair to seat. Very helpful box office and I get two seats for price of one. Can anyone tell me who is dancing at the matinee? I know I will enjoy it whoever it is. 

Thank you all for a great year, Happy Christmas. Looking forward to next year on the forum and on the stage.

Oh Lin thank you for writing what you have about Margot Fonteyn, you have expressed my feelings entirely! I am glad you mentioned her eyes. Her Ondine could be heart breaking. Rojo is the dancer who has got closest for me, especially the eyes,

For me Margot Fonteyns final performance of Juliet. Then big contrast Edward Watson and Alina Cojacura at the opening of my first viewing of Chroma! Eyes always fill up as the orchestra plays its first notes. Magic moment.