JohnS

Came across this and thought it may be of interest - certainly went well with coffee this morning:

https://stream.roh.org.uk/packages/the-nutcracker-4/videos/the-nutcracker?_ga=2.130218635.585585039.1607964374-1305674207.1602264137 Very pleased to see confirmation of the cast etc.

I think the reviewer has: “Anna-Rose O'Sullivan reprises the role of Clara and will debut as the Sugar Plum Fairy later in the run. As much as we wait for that with great anticipation, her youthful looks, light, buoyant dancing with beautiful lines suit Clara so well, it'll be a shame when she graduates to the prime spot in the cast.”

Many thanks JennyTaylor. Fabulous to read your post and very much looking forward to the ‘live-streaming’ which gives so many of us who are not currently going to the theatre that edge of the seat live experience at home even if it’s relayed a few hours after the performance. I’ll try to remember not to look at Ballet Forum that afternoon.

Brigitte Fassbaender, German mezzo-soprano and stage director - you’re very fortunate to have this, certainly one of the finest singers of the 20th century.

I’m very much looking forward to BRB’s live streaming given what’s been said in recent posts and also last year when I didn’t quite make a trip to Birmingham but at least got found to checking tickets/trains etc. I have to say I find the Royal Ballet’s Nutcracker fabulous because it is so very much Clara’s ballet and the ending, with Clara’s recognition of what has happened, has for so many years marked the start of Christmas.

I’m still hoping that a live streaming decision on Nutcracker hasn’t yet been taken and there remains a chance that one will get the go ahead. 22 December still shows cameras. I must stress this is my hope - I have no information and had rather thought from previous posts that a live streaming had been officially announced although I’ve not seen anything.

Yes - Francesca Hayward danced Clara 15 December 2017 and SPF 30 December 2017, Alexander Campbell partnering as Hans Peter and the Prince.

Yes - and I was delighted that Francesca Hayward kept Clara at least in her first SPF run. She was also by then a Principal. I wonder when a First Soloist danced Clara and debuted as SPF in the same run?

Dancing Clara and debuting Sugar Plum Fairy in the same run is also pretty special!

I’d assumed in terms of numbers attending the party, not its length.

First real frost this Autumn/Winter but not on the Buttermere fellside. Couldn’t resist a photo of this Herdwick ram, all set to make his mark. The ewes didn’t seem very interested. Nor a more familiar siting in Burtness Wood.

Whilst not planning any London trips until after I’ve had my vaccinations, it’s been great as an outsider to see all the booking excitement. I shall enjoy tonight’s Insight and am delighted we can all see a glimpse of Anna-Rose O’Sullivan’s Sugar Plum Fairy and then the live-streaming. Wishing everyone attending performances in the theatre fabulous Nutcrackers.

Many thanks oncnp. Rather sad to see all those performances from March that were COVID casualties ... and just the last 4 years.

Sorry Richard - stuck in the maze. Are you able to give any clues please?

Cold and windy walking around Buttermere this morning but managed to see a couple of squirrels. The two chased each other around the tree for ages and I was pleased to find I’d got a photo with both of them. A bit of sunshine would have been welcome for warmth and the photos but very good to be out. I didn’t see anyone walking round the lake until back in Buttermere.

It really was a fabulous evening and I’ll be delighted to see it all again, no doubt several times. Very pleased there was an audience. This morning I’m most looking forward to second viewings of ‘In Our Wishes’ where, as others have said, Romany Pajdak was a revelation; Francesca Hayward’s Odette, which I thought lovely, particularly eyes and hands, and I hope it won’t be too long before we’re able to see her full Swan Lake debut; and Natalia Osipova’s quite mesmerising Dying Swan - what astonishing stage presence she has.

WITHIN THE GOLDEN HOUR ANNA ROSE O’SULLIVAN and JAMES HAY, FUMI KANEKO and REECE CLARKE, SARAH LAMB and RYOICHI HIRANO ASHLEY DEAN, ISABELLA GASPARINI, HANNAH GRENNELL, ROMANY PAJDAK, LEO DIXON, DAVID DONNELLY, TÉO DUBREUIL, DAVID YUDES

As an Arsenal supporter now living in Cumbria perhaps I should be doubly offended by Jake Berry’s crassness?

Many thanks Sim. I too was unsure where to include this astonishing post. I found it tremendously uplifting so opted for the ‘’In difficult times when we need ... our spirits uplifting.’ But the post is so touching that I’m sure it deserves a separate thread. No doubt we all have relatives or friends struggling with Alzheimer’s and loss of memory and this post helps show the person shrouded by such problems. Simply wonderful seeing her responding to the music and remembering and re-enacting her past performances.

Fabulous photo Quintus ... and good luck with your business case. Perhaps a Christmas submission?

What a fabulous treat in store for Friday evening. But I don’t see if it’s available for the next 30 days as has happened with other performances - am I missing something?

Simply astonishing - spirits certainly uplifted.

There seems a very different feel to the second lockdown given unlimited exercise and encouragement to enjoy the outdoors. Still unsure what’s an acceptable car journey for a walk but as the nearest supermarket is 12 miles (18 miles if you want a petrol station), that keeps many of my ‘local’ walks open. Here’s Saturday’s early morning view from Skiddaw, mists clearing, and ridge after ridge of inviting fells beyond Keswick and Derwent Water. The far fells are 20 miles away (much further by road) but I’m spoilt for choice with reasonably local walks. In the first lockdown I very much kept to walking from home and remember looking enviously towards the fells during the fabulous Spring. I do hope others are finding second lockdown a little easier.

Saturday afternoon’s walk after a morning on the fells. Managed just one photo of a squirrel in Dodd Wood. Not much success with other wildlife photos but hoped this photo of St Bega’s church by Bassenthwaite Lake might be of interest. One mile from any road, the churchyard is a haven to wildlife, an idyllic place. Texel sheep add to the pastoral: Herdwicks or Swaledales would provide better local heritage but sadly their numbers are falling.