Jillykins

I am certainly one of the very much older people and I was in the amphi last night with another very much older person. He knows little about ballet, loves Fille and can cope with les Patineurs and some of Alice. My usual companion had a bereavement so was not able to accompany me. We both came away excited by what we had seen. He couldn't cope with part one, said he might have liked it if he could see it. He really enjoyed second part despite his usual light complaint. However he was immensely moved by Waves. Thank goodness because I had had a wonderful evening and I admit to not being a Macgregor fan. I also know little about Woolfe but had done some homework. Alessandra who was one of my favourites years ago was stunning. Her long, graceful arms and expressive face told the story so well. Ed Watson an all time favourite of mine certainly did find something more. Heartbreaking. Yes a new standard even for him. Why so little of his work in next seasons programme? I loved Lamb and the children. I must stop all the cast were splendid they all reached new heights in the stimulation of this most unusual work. Macgregor gives us more than a ballet it is a complete work of art dancing, lighting, costume, staging and stunning music. I could go on but will end by saying I will never forget Alessandra and Waves.

I am enjoying the ballet all over again reading everybody's comments. It is so good to share our enthusiasm and to learn from each other. Cojacuras poor feet have always worried me the shape often spoils the line of a pose but more worrying is the thought of the future and the pain she might suffer. However her glorious dancing has never suffered. I loved the live relay as I can only afford amphi if I want to see all the ballets I want to and to get a close up view is a real joy. I saw Marquez and Campbell live and enjoyed their performances but thought Osipova was delightful and really felt a connection between her and McCrea. Really wanted to see zuchetti as Colas, does any body know how badly he is injured?

Thank you Sir Fred , this really is Ballet for All!

As a child in the 1940's I read a lovely book about Pavlove called A Star Danced but I can't remember who wrote it. She also wrote a book called Prelude about the life of the pianist Eileen Joyce. I would love to re read if anyone can remember them and give me an authors name.

A perfect ballet for a sunny spring evening. Last night a most appreciative audience including my husband who is not a dedicated ballet goer. It was so good to see Marquez and I loved the clarity of her dancing. I used to enjoy Jennifer Penney with Stephen Jeffries as Colas and Lise but Marquez and Campbell gave us a really enjoyable evening. The whole company seemed to be enjoying themselves and this infected the audience. I always miss Alexander Grant when Alain appears. However I think young Luca made a very good attempt at Alain. It is a challenging role especially handling the beloved umbrella. I look forward to watching his development after seeing his Alain and his work in the Shecter. I don't feel like spoiling a memory of a delightful evening by being critical. I was still disappointed not to see Zuchetti as I had booked this performance specially to see him. However thank you Alex for your Colas it contributed much to the whole evening.

Thank you for such an excellent article. It was a relief to see so many of my own feelings so well expressed in print. I felt guilty that I had enjoyed the Shechter so much as I love and have taught classical ballet. I loved the contrast in the three pieces not only in dance but in music. TTP is so perceptive in her comments about the need of dancers to be stimulated and chalLenged. We need these challenges too. Can't wait to see Untouchable again!

I am so enjoying reading other people's views of the programme, even if my feelings go with a minority. I loved the Balanchine, didn't want it to end. Zenaidas long legs suited Balanchines choreography so well. I don't think the leotards help the girls show the lovely lines they are making and I hate the black floor and black tights of the boys. Yuhui continues to delight me with the purity arm and leg positions. We are so lucky to see both Edward and Steven at the peak of their dancing. I felt cheated when the curtain came down, I wanted more!

Untouchable, I am not a groupie, never seen Shechters work befoRe, other than at the Insight but I loved it. I can't helap it I really enjoyed it. Does it belong in an evening of ballet? I don't know. All I can say is that the movement, grouping and passion had me throbbing along with it. Our wonderful young dancers were totally committed and must have learnt a lot about movement in rehearsals.I wasn't keen on the costumes and would have liked more light at times. Congratulations to the orchestra for the very different kind of music and their skill in performing it.

Song- another contrast and I could happily do without the singing! I am sorry but I found it off putting and masking some of the dancing.however I realise it is an intrinsic part of the ballet. What a joy to see Carlos in such fine form. Slim of body, powerful in dancing and with beautifully pointed feet. For me his feet have sometimes let him down in the past. Last night terrific! Marienela was as beautiful as ever, what a great trio they made. I always enjoy Thiago but felt he was a little heavy legged at times but, as always a terrific partner to Carlos and Marienela.

A truly enjoyable evening of contrasts and different opinions. How lucky we are that we all have different views,likes and dislikes. As a new girl I would not wish to offend anybody and do enjoy reading other people's opinions. Thanks to Balanchine, Shechter and Macmillan for all being innovators in their own time!

It sounds as if we are going to experience a really good evening. Thank you for any info re Untouchable. I am really looking forward to it. As I mentioned before I often find modern approach to ballet difficult to enjoy. At 79 I forgive myself and try to keep up with the times. I was amazed at how excited I was at the Insight and would have loved to get up and join in. Not sensible using walking stick. There was so much enthusiasm by choreographer and dancers. I wonder do they really enjoy it? As the demands of classical ballet cause so many injuries these days is Shecters style safer or more taxing? I have not seen his work previously. So looking forward to an evening of contrasts.

Well what a contrast to the start of the week with two a Swan Lakes! I had a perfect seat in the dress circle and really enjoyed being able to see the faces of the dancers. I enjoyed Serenade, a competent and pleasant performance. I love the way the flowing costumes compliment the choreography. Carmina Burana , new to me, left me confused. I loved the colour,the music and enjoyed the dancing. Would I want to see it again? I don't know but hope to at some future date. The evening left me pleasantly relaxed but not stimulated. I don't know why.

What a contrast, not part of this thread but I have to comment own last nights Insight lead by Hotesh Shechter in the Clore. I find a lot of modern dance not to my taste but am thrilled to find I am moving with the times. What a wonderful evening, I am so looking forward to the first performance next Friday. The four Young men working with Hotesh were nothing less than magnificent. I will watch out in future for the young man called Luca.

What a wonderful week, highlights film with Osipova who manages to portray her feelings to the amphi and Hortesh with his enthusiasm and talent.q

Although a new member of the forum I have been an avid reader for a long time. I am cautious to comment as I don't manage to get to as many productions as most members and usually sit in amphitheatre at ROH. Years of dancing have left me both as very old and somewhat disabled. Thanks to most London theatres their Access schemes enable me to have two seats for price of one.

I saw the production with Evgenia on Monday and took my granddaughter (who is in her twenties) to her first ballet in the cinema on Tuesday so was able to compare the performances. At least the cinema audience did not sound like the bronchial unit in a hospital! I agree with many contributors that the coughing at ROH continues to be a real problem. I wish they would ask coughers to muffle coughs or not return for later acts if it is a problem or take advantage of their offer of cough sweets.

I seem to be in a minority but I was disappointed with Evgenias performance. I agree with my neighbour who commented 'those are tired legs'. It appeared that the left leg was not extending always when it should have done. She stumbled on her first entrance and fell off the fouetttes. However such beautiful arms and a lovely pas de deux with McCrae. Really difficult to comment on acting from amphi but I was unmoved, especially the little jump off at the end. As in the film version I find the black floor and black costumes make it difficult to see some of the niceties of the dancing. I didn't see McCrae as a prince before the performance but he proved me so wrong. He owned the stage and such elegance with neat battu at all times. Such a gracious partner.

I enjoyed Natalias performance, she was Odette/Odile for me. Maybe because of the closeness of the film. Such a contrast between the two. She worked so well with the swans, I could feel the bond between them. How malevolent was her Odile! Golding did his best, danced well but looked very supercilious all the time. Good partnering.

I have waffled a lot but I did enjoy both evenings and my granddaughter is keen to see Fille in the cinema. Wish I could take her to it live.looking forward to Carminative Burana tonight and Insight tomorrow. What a week!

My first visit to Ballet Black and I enjoyed most of the work. First offering to fetch a pail of water was disjointed and I don't really like recorded music. Depouillement was interesting and the girl in white (sorry didn't get name) was elegant lovely lines and beautiful arms. The second coming confused me and I agree with bangorballet boy that it was the strongest of the evening. Some sensational lifts! Overall so good to see so many young people in the audience and to see black dancers suceeding in such challenging works.

This is a first tentative comment. I have been reading the forum for a long time, been attending ballet for over seventy years and have also taught ballet to children. I can't afford to go to more than one cast so have limited exposures. I don't know Onegin well but thoroughly enjoy it. I came to the performance on 4th February and reallY enjoyed it. I love the way the costumes and make up mark the passage of time. I have not read the original and wonder if Tatiana had any children to influence her decision? I always feel the spark between Marienella and Thiago and I felt the long lines of his legs in black tights really emphasised how well he was dancing. The thing that made me want to contribute was the beauty of The partnership of Takada and Muntagirov. It was effortless, graceful and so soft, no noisy landings. One movement flowed into another seamlessly. Great to see Hirano being challenged too! Wish I could see another cast to compare.