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JohnS

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  1. JohnS
    Fabulous and deeply moving. Another truly great programme from John Bridcut after last year’s Janet Baker: In her own words. Wonderful to have so much of Meistersinger, bringing back memories of what was as close to perfection in opera as I’ve experienced and some the finest performances in the Royal Opera House. A fitting tribute to Bernard Haitink, peerless musician yet so modest, and good to hear so much from him. His humanity simply radiates. I shall look forward to seeing this again, many times. I do hope the next Chairman of the BBC sees both these programmes as they show the BBC at its finest.
  2. JohnS
    One ‘Theatre’ always open although restricted to locals in lockdown. Here’s ‘Dress Circle’ opposite Napes Needle on Great Gable, with my rucksack bagging my seat (bottom left). Best seats for seeing climbers on top of the Needle or walkers ‘threading the Needle’ - scrambling up one side to the eye and down the other. Better detail from Row D?
  3. JohnS
    I do think Laura Morera was wonderful as Green and wouldn’t want to miss her from your list of women dancers. It’s a complex role where at times she seems to be cold shouldered by potential partners but she shrugs off any slight and dances with such elan. Her timing is exquisite and her expression shows what a fabulous character dancer she is.
  4. JohnS
    Agreed ninamargaret and bridiem . Exuberant and achingly poignant. And when will we next be able to see five couples or be a part of such a group?
  5. JohnS
    Yes 7pm - pure bliss ... and so much needed in these troubled times.
  6. JohnS
    Good to hear Kevin O’Hare interviewed by Sarah Montague. I thought he said they were looking at a maximum 950 audience capacity if all goes well with initial pilots.
  7. JohnS
    Red squirrels and nuthatches in a friend’s wood In Nether Wasdale the other day. The wood was overrun with rhododendrons but after 8 years the red squirrels have made a welcome appearance and seem completely unphased by our rhodo-bashing. Reds and nuthatches are happy to break social distancing with us at least but can be a bit aggressive to each other. Fortunate I don’t think reds and nuthatches (and many other birds) yet count under ‘mingling’ restrictions.
  8. JohnS
    Goodness - I know we often have off stage musicians but I’d never thought the entire orchestra/chorus would be off stage. I assume the conductor is with the orchestra and an assistant cues singers?
  9. JohnS
    Are people able to form theatre ‘bubbles’ in light of the difficulties of booking single seats - I do appreciate that some singles may not be wishing to take such risks?
  10. JohnS
    Perhaps the ROH would revisit its pricing and whether seats would still be ‘restricted’.
  11. JohnS

    Room 101

    JohnS replied to taxi4ballet's topic in Not Dance

    I have to say that whilst I pick up litter when out walking and will often fill my rubbish bag with orange peel, banana skins and other detritus, I draw the line at dog waste/used tissues, unless on an organised and equipped litter pick. I put something about littering on a walking Facebook site and was pleased to see the support. I’m hoping that enforcement authorities will take action. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1443502369240434/permalink/2738068236450501/ Sorry about the dog waste and crowds Kate. I did a similar walk on August Bank Holiday Saturday, setting off early, and Cat Bells was a continual procession at 9:30, fortunately when I was heading down. Complete contrast on the Sunday when I didn’t pass anyone for the first 5 hours when on Bessyboot/Rosthwaite Fell until getting to the main Glaramara path and then only a few people.
  12. JohnS

    Room 101

    JohnS replied to taxi4ballet's topic in Not Dance

    Very good of you to try to get the owners to clear up Jan. If you had your camera would you take photos and contact the appropriate local council? I’m despairing of the littering/dog waste problems and can’t help thinking well publicised prosecutions are required but councils are stretched and don’t have the resources to collect evidence. Jonny Wood, Borrowdale, historic wood with ancient walls. But left pillar spoiled by dog waste bag. No sign of dog and owners so didn’t have the quandary of calling them out or taking photos.
  13. JohnS
    Rather a wet week last week but Sunday afternoon was good with red squirrels in Dodd wood. Action photo. Success.
  14. JohnS

    Room 101

    JohnS replied to taxi4ballet's topic in Not Dance

    Close contact for potentially being infected by someone with COVID includes: close face to face contact (under 1 metre) for any length of time – including talking to them or coughing on them being within 1 to 2 metres of each other for more than 15 minutes – including travelling in a small vehicle https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/when-to-self-isolate-and-what-to-do/
  15. JohnS
    Hope you’ll post a photo from the Main Stage at some point.
  16. JohnS
    Standing on the Main Stage sounds great - would be a first for me although I’ve very much enjoyed a number of back stage tours over the years. Hoping it’s a great success for all those able to go but for the time being I’ll stay home.
  17. JohnS
    I do think Meaghan Grace Hinkis is putting together an impressive programme, bringing together many dancers and musicians. Delighted such a programme is being put on and would be great if there were a subscription relay. Looking forward to reading posts from those able to attend.
  18. JohnS
    Many thanks all for your generous comments about my photo. The Brocken Spectre seemed rather fitting for these very uncertain times. Chance to focus on the vibrancy of what surrounds us and what we bring. And we begin to see the other side of the valley emerging, with blue sky breaking in the distance. I was walking in Borrowdale, on Eagle Crag summit at 8:15, looking to Glaramara and Bessyboot, with the blue sky over Honister. I’ve seen a handful of Brocken Spectres over the years - always magical but none as rich as Wednesday’s.
  19. JohnS
    Many thanks for raising this issue glowlight. Like bridiem I found lockdown seemed a great deal easier, with most people in the same boat, albeit enormous pressure on essential workers for whom I have the greatest of respect. The relaxation of lockdown and all the talk of social bubbles etc underline the reality of wanting/needing to be risk averse (Type 1 diabetes) and living alone. And I cannot see my changing my risk appetite until there is a vaccine/more proven mitigation. Fortunately for me the Lake District is on my door step and I can readily spend long days on the fells where there are so many rewards, including this Brocken Spectre I was fortunate enough to see and capture last week. Wishing all who access Ballet Forum well in these difficult times.
  20. JohnS
    Just noticed this in the Guardian on line: “Alex Beard, the chief executive of the Royal Opera House, said the relaxing of social-distancing rules from 3 metres to 2 metres for singers and woodwind and brass players was “a big step forward” that would allow more players to perform together in the theatre’s pit when the company resumes live events with a socially distant audience this October.“ The Guardian piece is about singing/playing instruments softly to help reduce risks but I don’t recall a suggestion that live events would resume in October - have I missed something? Intrigued by a ‘socially distant’ audience but I assume that’s a Guardian misprint. Doesn’t quite chime with Open Up.
  21. JohnS
    I’m sorry you didn’t get the link capybara - oncnp posted it above if you’ve missed it:
  22. JohnS
    Many thanks MJW and oncnp. On reading the latest announcement I rather took the reference to the ‘new repayable loan scheme’ too literally. But I see the original announcement did include reference to £270m ‘repayable finance’. Whilst loans are no doubt welcome, it does form a significant part of the £1.57bn (17%) which I hadn’t appreciated.
  23. JohnS
    I may have this wrong but isn’t the loan fund new and completely separate from the £1.57bn support? And for my part I rather liked the ‘thank you’ email/video - quite unexpected and good to have so many contributors from management, Opera and Ballet. Whenever I’ve made a donation I’ve always received an appreciative acknowledgement which in my opinion has been more than sufficient.
  24. JohnS

    Room 101

    JohnS replied to taxi4ballet's topic in Not Dance

    I do hope the cat has plenty of its 9 lives unused.
  25. JohnS
    https://www.instagram.com/p/CCOs-PyDKTb/?igshid=qmbp00bege0e The above caught my eye yesterday. Also New Zealand has provided significant Arts funding. As in so much else Jacinda Ardern outshines our Government and she combines PM with the Arts brief (not that I would wish Johnson to follow that lead): https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12335765
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