bridiem

That's good; but wouldn't it be better to proof-read an update before it goes live on the website? Just saying. (And yes, I know it's the promotion that matters not the website... but it's just annoying that they're so sloppy.)

The ROH website already shows him as a soloist and says that he was promoted in 2023. ? Presumably a typo re the date, but you'd think they'd wait anyway since they've given a specific future date for the promotion.

Tweet from ENB: 'Principal casting update for this evening’s performance: Francesca Velicu replaces Shiori Kase as Clara; Ken Saruhashi replaces Erik Woolhouse as Nephew; Noam Durand replaces Victor Prigent as Nutcracker; and James Streeter replaces Henry Dowden as Drosselmeyer.'

Wonderful and very enlightening masterclass, and so moving to see Anthony Dowell working with today's dancers. His beauty, lyricism and musicality are still, to me, the pinnacle of classical ballet and it was clear that both the dancers held him in the most enormous respect. His constant emphasis on plié, flow and being less geometric were very telling. Also an interesting introduction from Jane Pritchard. Invaluable.

The RB has in fact done Les Sylphides a number of times in my 'era': I saw it at the ROH in 1978, 1981, 1991 and 2009. (I was surprised myself to see this! Feels much longer ago.)

ENB Tweet: 'Principal casting update for this evening’s performance: Shiori Kase replaces Emma Hawes as Clara; Erik Woolhouse replaces Vsevolod Maievskyi as Nephew; Victor Prigent replaces Skyler Martin as Nutcracker; and Henry Dowden replaces James Streeter as Drosselmeyer.'

Thank you Sim, and thanks to all the Mods. You do a brilliant job in keeping this forum running smoothly and giving all its members the opportunity to share, listen and learn. Happy New Year to everyone.

Yes - until 24 hours before the performance, you can only get a credit to your account. From 24 hours before the performance, you can return it for resale - so it's a risk unless the performance is very well sold/sold out, because it might not re-sell.

I'm sure she sang it in her soul 😇.

I had to stop reading at this point through sheer horror! Makes me feel positively faint... However I'm glad you enjoyed An American in Paris!

Not sure if this has been posted somewhere else, since it's radio, but just in case not: seen on Twitter: 'Christmas morning - How to Play 8.30am @BBCRadio4 - the Royal Ballet Sinfonia @BRB invite us into their rehearsals as they prepare for their Christmas performances of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. Producer Chris Taylor. Whole series @BBCSounds'

ENB tweet: 'Principal casting update for today’s matinee: Katja Khaniukova replaces Erina Takahashi as Clara; Ken Saruhashi replaces Daniel McCormick as Nephew; Miguel Angel Maidana replaces Matthew Astley as Nutcracker; and Giorgio Garrett replaces James Streeter as Drosselmeyer.'

Yes, Mark Morris is an honourable exception. As is Paul Taylor.

I don't think you were being curmudgeonly, DVDfan! It does seem to be the case that comedy and happiness are more difficult to portray than drama and tragedy; but I think that there's also a sense especially in contemporary dance that it's terribly important to be serious and to be seen to be serious. (Whereas in fact, all aspects of life are equally important. How would we understand tragedy if we didn't also know happiness?).

Here we go again - ENB re this afternoon: 'Principal casting update for today’s matinee performance: Erina Takahashi replaces Katja Khaniukova as Clara; Daniel McCormick replaces Ken Saruhashi as Nephew; Matthew Astley replaces Miguel Angel Maidana as Nutcracker; and James Streeter replaces Giorgio Garrett as Drosselmeyer.'

Just to mention that Gary Avis has posted a photo of himself and Aiden O'Brien on his Instagram account, and the words: 'Super proud of this one today - a fabulous Herr Drosselmeyer debut from @aiden_ob @royaloperahouse. Thank you for listening and trusting me during the rehearsal process - a thoughtful, calm and authoritative start to your Drosselmeyer journey - huge congratulations'. Very generous comments; and AOB clearly has had the best possible coach for this role!

Tweet from ENB: Principal casting update for today’s matinee: Katja Khaniukova replaces Fernanda Oliveira as Clara; Ken Saruhashi replaces Aitor Arrieta as Nephew; Miguel Angel Maidana* replaces Henry Dowden as Nutcracker; and Giorgio Garrett replaces James Streeter as Drosselmeyer. *Debut in role

Excellent performance this evening - individual excellence from Naghdi, Ball, Pantuso, Ikarashi and Sasaki, and Gary Avis displaying a kind of corporate excellence that seemed to generate, command and direct the whole affair. He told the story, he created the magic, he watched over and guided every dancer and every moment, and he brought it all to a close with both emotion and panache. Stunning. He changes the whole dynamic of the show, in a way that is quite breathtaking and completely masterful. He seems to become part of its creation - not just a performer, but an equal to Wright/Ivanov and Tchaikovsky. I was thrilled by Viola Pantuso's Clara - she has such beautiful arms! (And legs!). And she danced beautifully as well as responding well dramatically. I can't wait to see more of her. I also really enjoyed Daichi Ikarashi as Hans Peter. Mariko Sasaki was an elegant Rose Fairy, and Naghdi and Ball glittered impressively as Sugar Plum and her Prince. Wonderful. I also wanted to record a conversation I heard in the lift at Covent Garden tube after the performance, even though it has no relevance to anything! I found myself standing next to a tall, elegant couple with their little girl aged about 7. The little girl was in her best coat and gold ballet shoes, so it was easy to guess where they'd been. And this was their conversation: Little Girl: 'What time is it?' Elegant Mother: 'About 10' Little Girl: 'Is that late?' Elegant Father: 'Yes' Little Girl: 'Nina says that she goes to bed at 11.30, and that when she's 8 she'll be allowed to go to bed whenever she wants to' Elegant Mother: 'Well she's talking absolute gibberish, dear'. For some reason I found this exchange touching, amusing and strangely reassuring.

Tweet from ENB: Principal casting update for today’s matinee: Fernanda Oliveira replaces Katja Khaniukova as Clara; Aitor Arrieta replaces Ken Saruhashi as Nephew; Henry Dowden replaces Miguel Angel Maidana as Nutcracker; and James Streeter replaces Giorgio Garrett as Drosselmeyer.

Wow! Will be very interesting to see what she does with the company. But yes, I hope she might keep her ties with the RB to some extent.

Well, yes. But we are discussing a production to be mounted in London.

And now! From the Coliseum: 'We are sorry to announce that due to a water supply issue at the London Coliseum, today's matinee performance of English National Ballet's Nutcracker has had to be cancelled.' The evening performance will go ahead as planned.

Tweet from ENB: Principal casting update for today's matinee performance: Sangeun Lee replaces Katja Khaniukova as Clara, Gareth Haw replaces Ken Saruhashi as Nephew, Junor Souza replaces Miguel Angel Maidana as Nutcracker, and Fabian Reimair replaces Giorgio Garrett as Drosselmeyer.

They probably won't have heard that particular statement before!! You could always try explaining why it matters, maybe demonstrate a few significant moments whilst humming the music, etc. 😁

I hope you can go, Dawnstar! And that they help about your eye this evening.