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Jillykins

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  1. Jillykins
    So looking forward to next Tuesday! Please no more rail upheavals and snow clearing. Very white here at the moment. Posts terrific, thank you, so descriptive and such a sense of enJoyment. Interesting to see one negative, so good we all different views.
  2. Jillykins
    Loved Murmuration by Liang at Vienna Opera House. Such expansive movement to such unusual music. A low at the same performance was Symphony in C. I love the ballet but dancers did not appear to have the technique to give a good performance. Another highlight was taking seven year old great grandson on first visit to ROH to see Nutcracker. Highlight of the year.
  3. Jillykins
    Thank you Mrs BBB, she was delightful. Glad to know who she was but I didn't recognise her. Blame the wig!
  4. Jillykins
    Last night was an amazing evening for me. I took my seven year old great grandson to Nutcracker, his first ballet. First visit to Opera Housea. His reactions were all I could have hoped for. Dinner at Tuttons where he was treated like a young prince, wide eyed viewing of ballet and view from gallery outside. The production was great, I was certainly not in the mood to be critical! Francesca and Alexander worked so well together and the choreography really suited them. The applause for the mime was well deserved. Lauren was a perfect SPF. So versatile now, such a change from last week! Lost cast sheet in the excitement of holding small hand so Disney get name of lovely Rose Fairy. I agree Chinese dance much more of a comfortable/ enjoyable watch. A pity the snowflakes pointe shoes sound a bit thunderous but they wove some beautiful patterns. I missed a lot of detail as in amphi and eyes not too good! However a great start to Christmas for grandma and Jakie!
  5. Jillykins
    Really good Insight. Lovely to see Monica Mason coaching, looking fit and well. Also listening to her comments on current choreography and McGregor and stress on bodies in Q and A after the screening. Some really good coaching by Samantha Raine of row of the fairies as well.
  6. Jillykins
    I agree with Quintus image of a sandwich. Just how I felt, thank you for describing it so clearly. I am so glad I saw McCrae at the rehearsal and was delighted to see young Acri at Wednesday performance. He may not yet have the speed and accuracy of McCrae but such a spirited and impressive performance. I love Chroma, much to my surprise but it never comes up to excite me as it did at the first performance I saw with Watson and Cojacura. I enjoyed the Ailey dancers but it didn't seem to make a cohesive performance. Again I enjoyed Carbon Life, it seems quite mad but makes an entertaining performance. In both ballets the dancers perform at a very high standard, but I also am concerned about the strain the choreography puts on their bodies. Multiverse was a form of torture to me. I was tempted to sit it out but decided to give it a second go! I did applaud at the end because it was finished. Wayne's choreography is limited and repetitive. So much is often going on you don't know where to focus. Perhaps that is the point. How the dancers manage to perform in the noise they are given for music is beyond me. Why two girls on pointe when the others are not is puzzling. An interesting evening with some outstanding performances. Lauren Cuthbertson has developed into such a talented and versatile dancer. Nunez always impresses and we have such a talented team of boys. Looking forward to following Luca Acris career. So, next week to bring seven year old great grandson to Nutcracker. I will love seeing it through his eyes. Once again thank you to the forum for such interesting posts. I wear my blue badge but no sightings yet!
  7. Jillykins
    Tuttons is great, especially if you have a tastecard. I am always well looked after as a regular. As far as audience behaviour concerned last week at Vienna Opera House I was in box near stage, husband next to me, then a man occupied third front seat and sat child on his lap so stage fully obscured for husband. We had no mutual language to discuss situation. Such a pity he missed a beautiful performance of Liangs Murmuration. Seat hopping at ROH also becoming problem. Don't enjoy arguments around me on a special night out.
  8. Jillykins
    Really interesting comments. I won't comment on performance as was only at rehearsal. I really enjoyed reading all comments especially Floss contributions. I am booked to go next Wednesday but not looking forward to seeing Multiverse again. However maybe a second viewing may help. Not sure about the listening! Thank you contributors for such stimulating discussions. Great that we are all so different.
  9. Jillykins
    She certainly did! So good to see her there enjoying the evening.
  10. Jillykins
    Last night Covent Garden, Russians next to Dame Monica talking loudly, dealt with by attendant and manager in interval. Felt sorry for Dame Monica. Very heavy perfume and unpleasantly aromatic man in front of us! Bet the perfume was expensive but not to my taste!
  11. Jillykins
    So glad Mummycool I wasn't the only one to see the legs incident as reflection of Rasputin power over the royal family. I was sad that an evening I enjoyed was seen by so many people who clearly didn't enjoy it. It was a luxury evening for me as I took my granddaughter and sat in grand tier (also a few rows back from Dame Monica and some rather talkative Russians and within sight of Kevin O'hare ) granddaughter is mother of three little boys and didn't feel it was a sexual act. I watched the ballet through her eyes and she found Acts 1 and 2 helpful in understanding of Act 3. She is average audience and sits back and enjoys an art form fairly new to her. Like her I enjoyed the variety of dance in first two acts, the ball a kaleidoscope of colour and movement. OK not great ballet but not yawn making for me. I agree with so many comments but in general I had a good evening. Lauren was excellent both as a young girl and a mental patient. Perhaps it is a pity we know the possibly true story. Thank you for all the stimulating posts, great that we don't all think alike and can respect each other's opinion and wide knowledge. I learn something new from so many of your posts but can still enjoy what I enjoy!
  12. Jillykins
    What an evening! Loved every minute. Roberta will be missed, so glad she got such a great send off. Praise for her acting, beautiful arms and exquisite epaulement. No exaggerated arabesque, just beautiful line. A true Ashton dancer for me. Alexander Campbell was a perfect and generous partner, I agree his dancing was a joy too. Bennet made a great effort at Widow Simone, I enjoyed his head movements and the relationship with her daughter, great clog dance too. Corps work a joy to watch, I was impressed by the pointed feet of boys, especially one boy in a blue smock <centre in sickle dance>. Where is Roberta off to now? My only minor quibble is that her ponte shoes were a bit noisy. Wore my blue badge but didn't spot any more despite husbands diligent chest watching! Looking forward to Anastasia on Friday. Great to be back after a pretty grim summer health wise. Then off to Vienna to see triple bill there, belated eightieth birthday treat. Seeing the Lipizzaner horses too, not quite the same as Peregrin! Didn't mention before but really enjoyed Lucas interpretation of Alain, lovely feet again, I did feel the pathos, especially in the flute dance. Great evening all round!
  13. Jillykins
    Same frustrating problems here. Ms Macmillan frequently returning. Managed all RB section and a lot of Canada class and rehearsal but so frustrated have given up now. Can't wait to see Anastasia and looking forward to Marquez Campbell Fille. It has been a long painful Summer and the new season has been a light at the end of a very dark tunnel. A lot of today has been really good and I enjoyed Maloneys class. Oh why does it keep snapping back to the same interview?
  14. Jillykins
    If you have time look at the Zama Dance School in Cape Town. My ex student Andrew Warth does wonderful work with poor children with wonderful results. Some of his students go on to become professional dancers. I believe the classes are government funded. They are tempted to class by offer of a meal.
  15. Jillykins
    Such kind wishes, much appreciated. Ballet is such a special part of my life. Hope I wasn't too negative about Swan Lake! It was such a good evening and Ifeel so lucky to watch such talent.
  16. Jillykins
    I wore my badge last Saturday at Swan Lake but neither spotted or was spotted!
  17. Jillykins
    Showboat Saturday matinee, man behind me rustling sweets, asking friends not to take the red ones. Loud rustles from all pals then discussion about lack of red ones!
  18. Jillykins
    Oh dear, I am in a minority here but we are always able to express ourselves honestly. I was so excited to be seeing The Bolshoi and my favourite ballet. I loved Flames of Paris last year and enjoyed Don Q at the Palace oh Congresses in 1980 ( Bolshoi being refurbished) however on Friday eve I was a bit disappointed. First part consisted of chances to dance and demands for applause. I missed the story telling and never felt emotionally moved in the love story. I didn't like the ending at all! Rodkin was a gorgeously handsome prince, however he seemed very uncomfortable with the size of the stage. Smirnova was regal, I loved her arms, the 'broken wrist' technique and raised foot in attitude worked well. The pas. De deux surrounded by swans was beautiful, although her petite battlements sur le coup de pied were virtually non existent. The corps did a magnificent job, but I didn't like their dinner plate tutus! I don't like Royal long dresses. I'm old fashioned, I like longer tutus with feathers! Loved the Princesses and entourage and other groups and soloists. Didn't like set, was there a lake? From the amphi it looked like a van in the background. The black swan pas de deux a disappointment, she fell out of the fouettés. Too much asking the audience for applause, which was often lethargic. However good support at curtains. A sudden thought music seemed very fast at times, especially the entrance of the swans. Despite these petty quibbles I did have a great evening. I feel lucky and privileged to see great dancers. I hope to see Taming of Shrew on Wednesday but have chemo that day and may not make it. Thanks for this space to talk!
  19. Jillykins
    I have longed to find a book called A Star Danced about Pavlova. I can't remember who wrote it. She also wrote a book about Eileen Joyce, the pianist. They were directed towards the younger reader. I loved Ballet Shoes too, Noel Streathfield I think. Loved film White Nights too. However don't trust my memory these days!
  20. Jillykins
    Mine arrived too but I am in France! Looking forward to wearing it to Bolshoi.
  21. Jillykins
    Two enjoyable and different nights. I really enjoy seeing something new and after the live performance on Tuesday I really didn't know if I thought I had seen something I wanted to see again. However the chance of seeing a different cast made me go to the cinema screen performance, taking my non ballet fan husband. I thought he would hate it but he really enjoyed it! So did I. I think you really do need a second viewing. I saw so much detail on screen that I had missed on stage. I agree it needs pruning, for me too much in anatomy theatre, cut most of tavern. A few snips to birthday party and final waltz. I liked the music and set designs. I expect I show my ignorance but I couldn't understand why Elizabeth wore an identical dress throughout her life, until her wedding. I enjoyed all the performances. Preferred Bonelli to Dyer. Something to do with longer legs and beautiful line. For me more convincing acting. Loved Lambs Elizabeth, seemed so young and innocent but also really enjoyed Morera's acting and dancing. Both Monsters were excellent but I found Hirano more frightening, maybe his more powerful and threatening body. Hirano and McCrae conveyed real distress and confusion at what they had done. Such an imaginative duet by Victor and Monster. Great that we have such different reactions! Great that we have such talented dancers, lovely to see such maturity and ability to the two young boys I saw. I personally look forward to watching young Liam Scarlett creating and developing in the future.
  22. Jillykins
    Last night stalls circle(a rare treat) behind me Act 1 Winters Tale handbag zip back and forth, rummaging noises, repeat of zips, muttering a, repeat of entire performance. I never knew zips could be so loud, Sounds silly but so distracting.
  23. Jillykins
    So enjoyed last night! Only the second time I have seen Winters Tale. Although it is long it kept my interest all a the time. As mentioned before could bear some pruning but I admit to enjoying all the dancing. Loved all the costumes even if odd at times. Watson has the most amazing body and enormous control. Last night I was aware of how he spoke with his fingers, so expressive. How well Yanovsky matched his contorted movements in Act Three. She was splendid, such expressive arms. Good to see her again. Lauren Cuthbertson impressed in her dancing, acting and bodily control in some very difficult movements. Loved Zuchetti as Clown, he worked so well with Beatrix, I wish they had had more together! I don't want to criticise so I have concentrated on the enjoyment of the evening. Wish I could see other casts!
  24. Jillykins
    Sorry Laura not doing Giselle. She danced beautifully at the Frankenstein Insight. Is she really saving herself for Frankenstein?
  25. Jillykins
    Thank you Janet! You have made my day. I had pictures of him on my bedroom wall and defied my father by going to see his controversial Broken Date. So grateful to the forum for all the information and help.
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