Texan

2 hours ago, FionaM said:

Daichi Ikarashi should be doing Rhapsody.  His technique surpasses dancers in higher ranks including Corrales.  And he’s done it at school level.  

Completely agreed. I know he is already on a fast track, but I keep wishing it could be faster

49 minutes ago, Cescablue said:

Thoroughly enjoyed this afternoon - though not sure I can take another (booked for Friday) - it's quite difficult to enter the world of Manon where women are treated so poorly, even if the dancing is wonderful!

I am also booked for Friday next week. If you see a guy bravoing at Fumi with American Southern accent in the stalls, that would be me.

However, a part of me thinks that I should just try to keep that image of Sambe in the final scene. I am not sure if I would be ready to see a very different DG (I am assuming) with Vadim.

It was my first time to see Sambe in a principal role this afternoon, and it definitely would not be my last. I always knew he was technically strong, but I did not know he could act and convey that much. Some male principals, to my eyes, overdo (or overreact) in Manon's death scene; Sambe's somewhat subdued response in the final scene really made sense to me. He was a very earnest young man in agony. His extensions in his introduction variation in Act 1 were very beautiful and strong, with very minor wobbles, and of course he can jump and turn.

Everyone knows how perfect Franky is as Manon, so I would not need to repeat.

My question after seeing today's performance. Why wasn't Mayara given a chance to perform as Manon in the current run??? I know the Royal Ballet has too many female talents to choose from, but still, I felt she should be given a chance already.

I apologize for my random, unorganized comments above, as I am typing this on my phone in transit.

I purchased February 26 Manon tickets after Ryo Hirano's name was announced. I thought it might be the last time for me to see his Des Grieux. Everyone has different tastes.  Of course, I am happy to see Sarah as well.

1 hour ago, Beryl H said:

Looking forward to seeing some photos, the thing I want to know is if the awful (IMHO) dresses worn by Gary Avis and Edward Watson before have been changed?

 

 

 

 

Google Pixel applies some strange color adjustments. We all know Bracewell is 100 times more handsome than this picture shows.

Coming back from The Dante Project, I thought William Bracewell was triumphant. Is there anything this dancer cannot do? I will remember his Act 2 final scene with Fumi for a long time. I also thought that Wayne's 3 acts were very well structured. Without synopsis, I was able to imagine where the choreography was taking us.

Since Sambe was promoted to principal, I had not seen him for some time, as I tend to book on Fumi's nights. It was a great reminder to me why he is a principal dancer. When dancing with other principals and first soloists during Act 1, his speed of turns was just outstanding. I know I should make efforts to see him more often.

Watching tonight's performance, I wondered how long we would have to wait to see William as Rudolf, with Fumi as his Mary.

I saw Sunmi Park / Daniel Camargo cast on June 23, and Cassandra Trenary / Herman Cornejo cast on June 24. To me, this was an enjoyable ballet, but not a perfect ballet. I felt that the storyline could be trimmed down somewhat. Some scenes seemed repetitive (for instance, Nacha's death, Elena's death, then Rosaura's death. Do wee need to see ladies dying 3 times?). Listening to the music, I got confused with the Winter's Tale.

Park is a beautiful dancer, but in terms of acting and stage presence, she is not "there" yet. Trenary fared better, but I still would vote for Francesca Hayward.

It pains me to say this, particularly after being a fan of Cornejo for so many years, but he just did not do it for me this time. I was on the first row of orchestra, and still could not understand what he was trying to say with his facial expressions. He jumps, he turns, he lifts, but I believe this ballet requires more than those. I felt Camargo succeded better than Cornejo in creating Pedro's desperation in some scenes. He did look like a young man searching for something he could not have.

Of the two viewings, I enjoyed Aran Bell's revolutionary leader the most. He knows he can deliver what Wheeldon wanted out of this role, both in terms of technique and looks. He seemed very at ease. He delivered something different from what Corrales did with this role, but Bell's creation worked for me.

I was happy to see complete standing ovation both nights. I saw Wheeldon  seated in a middle section of the orchestra on Friday, and he seemed pleased.

I typed this at the airport waiting area, so apologies in advance for any spelling errors or factual misstatements.

I first noticed Daichi during 2022 Swan Lake performances. I usually focus on James Hay or Luca Acri in Act 1, but somehow, my eyes kept going back to this young boy floating in the air.  He looked genuinely happy to be on stage.

His first name, Daichi, means "ground earth" in Japanese. I found it interesting to see him jump high above the ground, maybe because of his name, or despite his name.

I am sure we will see more of him in the future.

54 minutes ago, Linnzi5 said:

Obviously, I thought William Bracewell was the perfect prince - I just love anything he dances, but he was amazing! He partnered Fumi so beautifully and sensitively and his solos just had me spellbound. Audience seemed to love him too. 

I flew in from Texas to see Fumi and Natalia this weekend. Next time, I will fly in to see Bracewell again (hopefully paired with Fumi).

Nicol Edmonds as Septimus and Leo Dixon as Evans. I thought I was in my dream. Thank you.

2 hours ago, Rob S said:

I like to guess whether her hat will fall off each time now…I think it was Claire or Mayara who had to walk off with it still on the floor near the start of the run. And it’s got to be called skull skills!! 🥾💀 

 

Francesca was fantastic too in her pdd, gun went off perfectly too 
 

Just looked at your photos of Sambe, Hayward, and other cast members on Instagram. As always, thank you, thank you, thank you. I wish I could have been there.

Campbell Romeo!!!!!!!!!

Fumi Kaneko as Odile - I had always assumed Fumi would be perfect as Odette, but was not so sure about her Odile when I bought my ticket. I was so wrong. I could not believe it was her debut performance.

2 hours ago, Rob S said:

Odile got a fantastic welcome, 32 fouettés were done, Acri’s debut will have to wait 

 

While watching Acri tonight, I thought he might make a fantastic Des Grieux.

6 hours ago, Jamesrhblack said:

I’ve suggested before that I think this is a role that could really suit Nicol Edmonds….

He danced the role in my dream.

3 hours ago, ninamargaret said:

As an idle thought, who will take on roles like Rudolph and Leontes in the future?

Nicol Edmonds for Rudolph, please. Only in my dreams?

Sorry to interrupt this Giselle thread.

Her Don Q with Vasiliev (in London and in NY). Her Giselle with Hallberg at ABT. Period.

I enjoyed Matthew Ball/Wayne McGregor rehearsal of "Dante Project" very much. As of 3pm US Eastern time, it has been viewed only 109 times; really?

17 hours ago, WoodlandGladeFairy said:

Diana Ionescu really portrayed the terrified Crown Princess Stephanie well, proper fear, made me think of Jane Burn's performance on my 1994 DVD of the Royal Ballet in Mayerling (with the great Irek Mukamedov) 

 

As soon as the first act was over, I stopped my YouTube screen to look her up. I usually do not enjoy Stephanie/Rudolf bedroom scene.  This time, I could not take my eyes off from her.

When I first saw Fumi dancing as one of corps members many years ago, I momentarily thought Miyako was somehow back on stage. Then I realized Fumi was taller than Miyako. However, Fumi's grace, technique, and her arm movement continued to remind me of Miyako. 

I was always certian that something wonderful would eventually happen to Fumi one day.  I am glad it did.

I saw the movie today.  I think McRae should stick to dancing; I really wish I had not heard him sing.  I am saying this because I know he could be wonderful in certain ballet roles.

For someone living in the US, it would be difficult to discuss the past 19 years of dance without referring to Justin Peck.  His pieces have been picked up by several US companies, as well as Paris, I believe. Now he is choreographing for Spielberg's West Side Story.  Hope his name will surface in London at some point.

I saw Yoshida and Mukhamedov in "Sleeping Beauty" at Orange County Performing Arts Center in California many years ago.  That got me "hooked" with RB.  I am forever grateful.

8 hours ago, Dawnstar said:

In fact the only Manon I definitely don't want to see is Takada.

I will be traveling from Texas to London to see Takada in Manon. Her Act 3 Swamp PdD was extraordinary last time. I still do not know where that power had been hidden in this very polite, well-mannered, young dancer.