Blossom

Thanks for flagging and sorry to repeat!! I somewhat lost track due to a busy day of work and trying to spreadsheet the info minus the dates I can't do ready for booking.

Thank you for all of the detail @maryrosesatonapin - very much looking forward to seeing this at the Linbury!

Sarasota ballet is apparently bringing an Ashton programme to the Linbury as well. I can't find any info on the ROH site but I'm guessing it will be as covered here https://www.sarasotamagazine.com/arts-and-entertainment/2023/04/sarasota-ballet-royal-ballet-london Seven whole performances in the Linbury including a gala performance! The Sarasota Ballet has announced its first international tour to London at the invitation of The Royal Ballet’s director Kevin O’Hare. Over seven performances from June 4-9, 2024, the Sarasota Ballet will perform two programs that culminate with a gala performance during its one-week residency in the Linbury Theatre in London’s Royal Opera House. The performances are dedicated to and will feature the works of renowned choreographer Sir Frederick Ashton, former principal choreographer and director of the Royal Ballet. “This first international tour by the company is very much a homecoming for both director Iain Webb and assistant director Margaret Barbieri,” says Joseph Volpe, Sarasota Ballet’s executive director. “Iain and Maggie’s remarkable careers on stage with The Royal Ballet have been a huge influence on the company and have catapulted The Sarasota Ballet’s transformation into the internationally recognized company it is today. This invitation by The Royal Ballet is a huge milestone in the history of our company.” Their (local) Ashton programming for this year includes Varii Capricci, Dante Sonata and Sinfonietta, but given they mention 2 programmes in the article above, I'm guessing we can expect more - and you can see their wider Ashton repertoire here

Overall feels like a bumper crop compared to the last couple of years! THRILLED with the Ashton and MacMillan mixed bills (especially to see The Dream again as well as some pieces new to me)- but such a long wait! I just hope that this provides the time to get the information/education pieces out to entice audiences and really build interest in the choreographers, particularly Ashton, who I feel is becoming increasingly overlooked by broader audiences as his works aren't 'the classics' but equally much of his genius is pure classical, not contemporary. My biggest wish is that there were more dates! In terms of full lengths, I am generally happy with the mix of classics and newer ballets - it's hard not to be as the programming is back to full form. I just wish Winter's Tale had a more pleasant score. Thinking of Autumn specifically, Don Q is such a lovely sunshine ballet and hope Cesar Corrales is back on form to see a Magri/Corrales partnership! Would also love to see Fumi as Kitri. Will probably see Dante again - will be interesting to see the casting there, but also how The Cellist is cast.

The Friends email was very nicely laid out but did not outline all of these programmes, but rather excited by the press release! Saving feedback for Jan's new thread!

A bit late to this one, but given ticket sales across theatre are a bit of a problem post covid, this does provide an extra draw to get bums on seats and perhaps drive frequency among e.g. BRB/NB supporters who might see their local favourites and the guest principals. It has also given gorgeous dancers like Isabella Gasparini the opportunity to take on principal roles in their home countries who can celebrate their exported talent as well as drive some international PR for the Royal Ballet.

works nicely for Cinderella!!

The classical category somewhat baffles me.

Adored this evening, my last viewing of this run of Cinderella and this time with my daughter who had only seen the cinema showing previously. She loved the added magic and sparkle of the live performance. Stepsisters were on form tonight, they really gave it their all and I found I particularly enjoyed the chemistry between Avis and Acri. Yes, they are different to Helpmann/Ashton, but the world has changed. I didn’t find them at all camp, but perfectly panto and the humour just kept on coming this evening. The young lady next to me laughed at every joke and they were on form. I particularly enjoyed Gary Avis trying on the glass slipper this evening - despite having seen 3 other live performances (with different sisters), this had me laughing out loud. I also don’t recall the ‘silly’ sister (Acri) rolling down the stairs into the ball- I guess there’s something new to notice every time. I really enjoyed watching Natalia Osipova. Until I saw reviews here from her first performance I was wondering if I had chosen the right cast, having done so specifically to see Gary Avis. I am so glad I saw her dance. I previously haven’t enjoyed her turns at Ashton ballets except for Month in the Country, but Cinderella absolutely suited her. Her performance in act 1 was thoroughly convincing (she looks like a lady who knows how to clean, giving it some welly and even moving items on the table to do a thorough job). As above, she is the only dancer who truly danced WITH the broom as a convincing partner. The energy in her port de bras and broader body movements gave her solos real feeling. In act 2 as Cinderella she managed to convey all her emotions on arriving at the hall- wonder and excitement - with her eyes alone. She brought a huge amount of energy to her solo and her manège was rather breathtaking. In act 3 again as she dreams of the ball (or wonders if it was all a dream). Her energy really makes the audience feel what she is feeling. Reece Clarke was a swoonsome suitor and individually did not disappoint, but the chemistry between characters really did lie with the stepsisters tonight. I was also thrilled to get to see Magri again as fairy godmother (my favourite, particularly her forward bend and sweeping port de bras as she opens her solo). Also my first opportunity to see a regular favourite, Joseph Sissens on stage! Marco Masciari was another fabulous jester and really loved his interpretation. So happy to have this role which allows more junior talent to shine so brightly. I assume that this role is traditionally given to younger dancers. As this is my last Cinderella (sob), I’m mentally drawing up my own awards for best in role across various roles, of which some (chemistry moment on Cinders arriving at the ball) are easy to award, some not so easy (jester). What I do know is that this Ashton ballet was most definitely cracked by Osipova this evening and I think that Ashton is probably pirouetting or leaping with joy in ballet heaven. I learnt what @Nogoat stands for this evening and right now, couldn’t agree more! Lovely to see @Sim, meet @Bluebird @PeterS and of course the podcaster who gets me through my commute, @To The Pointe

Natalia Osipova is the most convincing Cinderella in having us believe her broom is a real partner…

Looking at the NyCB programme for the new season there are 5 Balanchine programmes - would be happy to see any of them!

I’m sorted thanks to the exact seat I wanted coming up (box office return I assume).

Magri/Corrales O'Sullivan/Sambe This is purely because the on stage chemistry of these pairings is perfect. Then I struggle. I don't think I'd pair Takada and Hirano - this I guess is why we often get a mix of Takada/McRae and Lamb/Hirano because that works...

Returning to box office

Looking for an extra ticket to bring my daughter with me on Monday. I currently have a balcony seat which she can use if I can get hold of another ticket! Looking for central SCS or central Balcony standing or one of the few £34 tickets at that level.

🤣 but also 🤑

Just seen this article and wonder if Baker Richards are responsible for the strange pricing survey we ‘enjoyed’ :- https://www.baker-richards.com/emerging-in-a-position-of-strength/

A slight aside - why aren’t performances from 2003 or 2010/11 productions available on DVD/BR? Any idea what the barriers may have been?

Wondering if Joonhyuk Jun will be there to rehearse Bluebird.... Could be a nice combination. Missed the mention above as didn't scroll back far enough but unable to delete this!!

Stalls end of row J26 which has excellent sight lines. £20

I have a spare as the person who was coming with me can no longer come! no idea how to share the ticket as they are both on one email. Is a screengrab ok? If so be in touch. I will be there anyway if any issues…

@Emeralds you make a good point, but it still looks like a gamble which didn’t pay off if you look at some of the remaining dates which show a similar picture to many of the dates which have already passed - e.g. 27 April - which they are now trying to fill by offering a Friends event, which doesn’t seem to have shifted any seats so far.

No- I can’t share the link to the ad I saw unfortunately off Facebook… It includes a lot of images from the production plus glowing reviews…

It seems that this prayer has finally been answered- wonder if it will help or not.

The seat you had today would be £41 for Jewels