Geoff

Last night, Duke of York's (to see "Ink"), one of the more nicely refurbished West End theatres. ATG Group, so people brought in beer bottles, which they later left rolling around empty (a definite tripping hazard). And - which triggers this post as it is a first for me - a couple in a box took off their shoes and put their feet up on the rail, waving the soles of their feet at the, I assume, astonished audience. Comfy for them no doubt: go to the theatre, put your feet up.

Refreshing this, in case someone would like to take one or both of my tickets (there are currently a few seats for sale on the ROH website as well)

By the way, just to revert to why I posted in the first place, this Insight is currently showing as Sold Out again.

To my surprise I just checked this event and a whole bunch of tickets have come available for what had been (as usual) sold out. In case anyone wants to go.

The Genee competition is well covered elsewhere on the Forum but perhaps this winning news is exceptional enough also to note here:- https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2017/london-dance-student-breaks-records-genee-ballet-contest/

Just to add, a friend has pointed out that my numbers may not be right. Does anyone know if all levels of the theatre were in use? If not then the proportion of free seats for schools to purchased seats may be even higher.

I think there is something worth pointing out for those who haven't seen the information about this show. The performance on Monday evening was a one-off gala to support the work of the London Russian Ballet School, which is based in Lambeth. A specific part of that night's offering was to give seven hundred free tickets (700) to children from other local schools in Lambeth, children who had never previously attended any show, never mind an evening of classical ballet. As the Palladium seats 2,200 at most, and it wasn't completely sold out, this means that at least a third of the audience were first-time children. Despite the occasional squeal or whatever, I found the children from the 31 schools invited remarkably well behaved in the circumstances, their accompanying teachers having clearly done a lot to prepare them for the treat. Well done to the London Russian Ballet School - and their sponsors - for their generosity.

Actually there is a thread about this in News, maybe an admin could combine?

ROH Insights: MacMillan and Me – Dancing Romeo and Juliet: Thursday 26 October 2017, 6pm at Swiss Church (round the corner from the Royal Opera House)

This was last night. Any reports?

Seems sorted now!

Anyone trying to book this morning - General booking was supposed to start at 10am today - the Coliseum has, um, forgotten to put the show up online. I just had a chat with ENB (who are dependent on the Coliseum doing their bit) and they are hoping the Coliseum will sort things out soon!

Hi Riva, nice to see you posting! There were some thoughts posted at the time the casting was announced:

Sorry, not sure I understand. This is a gala, surely, nothing to do with any company? Or have I got something wrong? In any case my comment, trying to be helpful, was only about the venue, not the content of the event.

Alison, is this a coded warning about any particular cast?

Might this discussion be better in Doing Dance etc? Maybe an admin could advise.

Yes, that's a bit of a puzzle. A guess: perhaps tickets are limited and so there is a risk that if one waits to buy a day seat, one may not get in as all the places are taken? In other words, they are charging a premium for a "guaranteed place"? Or else someone can't count...

Just had an email from the Savoy (perhaps the admins should alter the headline?):--- "rescheduled for Sunday 28th January 2018"

You say the child is 5. That makes a big difference to the reports above re 7 or 8 year olds, but I am sure you already know that. My view re the "treat" element is that at 5 even a much smaller venue (like the Little Angel puppet theatre in London) is a massive treat and a great occasion, so you need not be too concerned about the exact venue. GailR is right to urge thinking carefully about before and afterwards: planning those parts with care will do a lot to make the experience as special as you want it to be. You don't say if this particular 5 year old is a boy or a girl. Having taken a number both of little boys and little girls to the ballet I would say that dressing up is a big factor for the girls, not so much for the boys. Hunger and tiredness need to be avoided (but eating-drinking during the performance are absolute no nos of course). From my comments you will see that the choice of venue and indeed the show itself is in my mind not as important as other factors when it comes to a 5 year old. Shows aimed at children are probably the best choice at 5 (some "fairy story" ballets - supposedly popular with children - can be far too long), so maybe save full-length evenings at the ROH for 7 years old, speaking very generally of course, children are so different from one another. In any case ENB My First is an excellent idea.

For those who have not been able to be there (Kim in 2015):- http://youtu.be/sV8RviYMa2g

Off the point (but continuing the conversation): least favourite danced Carmen was Acosta's. Favourite: the Carlos Saura film from the 1980s.

For those of us who couldn't be there for Yevseyeva, here are some fouettes: http://youtu.be/cdFm94ZURn8

Sorry to see the Lyric only seats 550, my memory was at fault. By comparison, the Cadogan Hall seats 950, which for all its faults makes a difference financially. Maybe not such a good idea after all!

Sorry Beryl (and PasDQ), the venue which was used at the time of the Royal Opera House closure was known then as Labatt's Apollo, formerly the Hammersmith Odeon, and is currently called the Eventim Apollo. It is an entirely different building and has nothing in common with the Lyric (except perhaps a similar postcode). Bruce suggested the Lyric Theatre on King Street, which as he said was designed by Matcham. Well worth checking out. And is a good idea unless you know something we don't.

What a good idea Bruce. The Lyric Hammersmith (not particularly convenient for this Londoner so mine is an unbiased remark) does indeed suit. I happen to have a little private information about this venue's ongoing problems so suspect if a ballet company was to offer pretty much guaranteed 90% houses - and it is a theatre within comfortable reach of affluent west London so why not - then one would be welcomed with open arms.