JohnS

Back from an encore screening of the 5 December live relay in Keswick. Fabulous performance, full cinema, all ages, lots of applause, and all box office receipts donated to Cumbria Community Foundation, a great charity distributing funds to those who are disadvantaged including those affected by flooding. I first saw Francesca Hayward's Clara in January 2014, stunning then, now so accomplished and yet so fresh. I'm delighted she continues to dance Clara. That said I'm looking forward immensely to her Sugar Plum Fairy on 30 December.

Apologies again for such a late post - busy lobbying for a safe footpath to link two wonderful village communities in North Cumbria. I just wanted to say how fabulous the Friday 15th matinee was with Marianela Nunez and Vadim Muntagirov as Sugar Plum Fairy and the Prince along with many of the cinema cast. Francesca Hayward and Alexander Campbell were Clara/Hans Peter. Francesca was utterly captivating throughout. I hadn't quite appreciated how we first see her through the gauze and the speed of those fantastic spins. For me it's very much Clara's ballet although Gary Avis as Drosselmeyer might see things differently. Alexander Campbell is a wonderful dancer and he and Francesca seem so well matched. Brilliant dancing throughout, from David Yudes as Drosselmeyer's Assistant to Yasmine Naghdi's beautiful Rose Fairy. So good to see Olivia Cowley back on stage in the Spanish Dance. Marianela and Vadim luxuriated in their pas de deux. It really was one of those dream performances. I'm very fortunate that my local cinema in Keswick is screening the encore performance on Christmas Eve and then hopefully a couple of day trips for matinees 30 December and 1 January, trains etc permitting. Add a repeat of the lovely BBC 'Dancing the Nutcracker' documentary on New Year's Eve and it's very much Nutcracker Christmas.

I’m sorry this is such a late post but I’ve been meaning to add a brief comment on the final Sylvia in this series of performances. It was an opportunity for me to see the Natalia Osipova cast with Vadim Muntagirov, as Federico Bonelli was injured, having seen the other two casts. I'd not seen Sylvia in the theatre until this run and it has certainly grown on me. I found Natalia brought a real sense of developing the character over the three Acts, as well as wonderful dancing. I love her attack and ability to be in position that mili-second before the beat and then hold it. As everyone has said, Vadim was stupendous (as was his Nutcracker Prince the previous afternoon). And Anna Rose O’Sullivan and David Yudes were brilliant goats. I agree with others in hoping that Sylvia will regularly return to the Royal Ballet.

Caldbeck Parish Council has set up a petition asking Cumbria County Council to support the establishment of a footpath which would give a safe, direct link between the villages of Hesket Newmarket and Caldbeck. The funds for the construction of the footpath have been made available by a very generous gift. Ten landowners agreed to the footpath but two have changed their minds. The County Council has the powers to help but does not wish to get involved. The Parish Council's petition went live on Monday afternoon and has already attracted 600+ signatures. Please take a minute to look at the website and see if you would add your support. https://www.change.org/p/cumbria-county-council-establish-a-direct-safe-footpath-between-hesket-newmarket-and-caldbeck-cumbria Sign the Petition www.change.org Cumbria County Council: Establish a direct, safe footpath between Hesket Newmarket and Caldbeck, Cumbria Definitely a 'not dance' topic although for my part on those special occasions I can experience a similar elation from seeing ballet as from the magnificence of the Lake District fells.

Many thanks Northstar It has been a very good series and I shall look forward to listening to the iPlayer Nutcracker.

Sorry to hear that Marcelino Sambe is injured and do hope he is on the mend. Alexander Campbell and Francesca Hayward will I'm sure be wonderful - so pleased to have a ticket for 9 February.

I'm sure I'm not alone in finding a very welcome email today announcing that the revised Kenneth MacMillan website is now available. I'd been wanting to look at it during the recent celebrations and it's great to have it back. Wonderful to have the final moments of Song of the Earth in Darcey Bussell's farewell performance embedded in the Song pages. December 11th 2017 would have been the 88th birthday of the celebrated British choreographer Sir Kenneth MacMillan. Today we are relaunching this website dedicated to his life and work. Please visit www.kennethmacmillan.com

Apologies for repetition and linking to the Radio 3 Sound of Dance thread but the final minutes of Song of the Earth are so utterly exquisite that I cannot but be moved to tears. Monica Mason talks us through these in a wonderful commentary, some 37 minutes into the programme: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09j0rg4 The whole programme is an absolute gem, including Ed Watson on Romeo and Juliet and Mayerling and both Ed and Monica on the Rite of Spring. Only 28 days left on iPlayer. And Katie Derham is a perceptive interviewer/presenter.

I caught part of today's Sound of Dance in the car and have just enjoyed the whole programme on iPlayer. Wonderful to hear Monica Mason and Ed Watson talk so eloquently about dancing Kenneth MacMillan's choreography. A gem of a programme which I will certainly listen to again but it's only available for 30 days. So many highlights but Monica Mason talking through the last few minutes of Song of the Earth whilst the music is playing is utterly captivating.

Thank you Penelope I'll never forget the Domingo/Price/Kleiber Otello - the whole of Act 4 had been in tears. Tears of joy throughout Haitink's Meistersinger, Act 3 in particular. Many very special debuts - we've been so fortunate in the last couple of years seeing Francesca and Yasmine. Nutcracker and Clara's recognition that she has her pendant - Francesca and Anna Rose. And the closing minutes of Song of the Earth.

But surely Francesca danced both Clara and Sugar Plum Fairy last year as Principal. I'm delighted she's still dancing Clara - a fabulous part in the Royal Ballet Peter Wright production and in my opinion better than the Sugar Plum Fairy. That said I'll look forward very much to her and Yasmine's SPF with Anna Rose as Clara.

Thank you - and Yasmine Naghdi as Rose Fairy, hopefully in the cinema broadcast?

Back from Sylvia on Friday night (Marianela Nunez cast) and Saturday matinee ( Lauren Cuthbertson cast). I'd not seen Sylvia before and having seen the comments on the Forum and various reviews was very much looking forward to the performances. I certainly enjoyed much of the dancing and will be keen to see the final performance when back in London in a couple of weeks (Natalia Osipova cast). There’s so much intricate footwork which is a delight to see and there’s a rather quaint old fashioned feel to the sets and design - enjoyed the Act 2 transformation. I'm less enamoured with the score than a number of commentators, for my ears rather ponderous and not a patch on Tchaikovsky whatever he may have said when hearing it. I have to say in seeing a narrative ballet I much prefer stronger characters and wanting to care about what happens to them. I’m afraid with Sylvia that doesn't really happen for me and some of the caricature is pretty thin, not even two dimensional. As regards the dancing, I thought both performances became stronger in Acts 2 and 3. I very much enjoyed how Lauren seemed to hold her balances effortlessly with the music. Both Vadim and Reece were commanding as others have so eloquently commented. Great dancing from Orion’s slaves, particularly David Yudes and Calvin Richardson. But the dancer who really caught my eye, although not on the cast sheet, was Anna Rose O’Sullivan leading the corp de ballet. I just think her whole dancing exquisite - so fleet of foot, crisp timing, wonderful poise.

And what happened to the Alina/Johan Cinderella, a BBC broadcast a number of year ago? I don't recall a second broadcast and it has not been released commercially. A wider question is the treasure trove of filmed performances held by the Royal Ballet in its archive, and I'm sure many other companies. I believe it's primarily a source for dancers but it would be great to know more about the collection and whether there is any chance of footage being released.

Thank you Floss. I'm afraid I've never seen Sylvia but the more I hear about it, the more I'm looking forward to the forthcoming performances.

Thanks zxDaveM - very much looking forward to seeing this. A lovely vignette, just a couple of minutes, but guaranteed to bring a smile from a very wet Cumbria: http://www.roh.org.uk/news/watch-marianela-nunez-rehearses-the-royal-balletssylvia-with-darcey-bussell

Is it too early to start a Royal Ballet Nutcracker topic? I very much enjoyed the recent Insight: http://www.roh.org.uk/news/watch-live-rehearsals-for-the-nutcracker-with-the-royal-ballet-on-16-november-2017 I like seeing Christopher Saunders coaching: to me he just exudes confidence, energy and a great understanding of the detail and characterisation of the roles. And it's always such a pleasure to see dancers rehearse - Mayara, Tierney, Bea and Nicol in this Insight. There's also some cast changes: http://www.roh.org.uk/news/cast-changes-the-nutcracker-201718 Do hope dancers recover quickly from any injuries. But I think this means over the main Christmas period Anna Rose will be dancing Clara on 20, 23, 28 & 30 December and 1 & 2 January. Do hope she'll have time to enjoy the celebrations.

Thanks Riva. I've seen some Anna Rose O'Sullivan/William Bracewell photos on Instagram but is it possible for someone who attended to say a little more about the master class? Is Le Rossignol being performed?

Thanks to all for sharing such a range of opinions. I see Jillykins refers to the Nutcracker and Wind Insights. I don't know if she has had opportunity to see the Twyla Tharp Insight but it's still on line and I would strongly recommend it. http://www.roh.org.uk/news/watch-live-royal-ballet-rehearsals-for-twyla-tharps-the-illustrated-farewell-on-25-october-2017 I also thought Jan Parry's Dance Tabs review very perceptive - it's good to have the space to develop a fuller appreciation of the Triple Bill. http://dancetabs.com/2017/11/royal-ballet-the-illustrated-farewell-the-wind-untouchable-london/

Whilst Clement Crisp is indeed scathing in some of his comments, he did award 3 stars. I think it's also interesting to see some of the dancers' comments. I can very much appreciate how stimulating it must be for dancers to work with choreographers like Twyla Tharp and Arthur Pita and the two Insights rehearsing The Illustrated Farewell and The Wind I think are excellent - good to see key sections from The Wind without the wind machines, with Francesca, Ed and Tomas Mock. James Hay and others have been incredibly positive about the experience of dancing Untouchable. Inevitably some new dances will be more successful than others and there are opportunities for revisions etc both during a performance run and at subsequent revivals. Like zxDaveM, I thought Farewell excellent, genuinely uplifting, and I would hope that it will be regularly performed. On Sim's point, I thought the ending perfect, precisely because Sara and Steven were held back for the very closing moments with Joseph Sissons who had just said farewell to his two main partners. Worked beautifully with the music for me.

Penelope The running Order is The Illustrated Farewell; The Wind; Untouchable. Each ballet is just over 30 minutes and the two intervals are each 30 minutes. Looking forward to your review after Friday.

I agree with much of what Bridiem says. The Illustrated Farewell is wonderfully uplifting and I would recommend the ROH Insight which is still available. The opening with Steven flying in from the wings with the music starting at the apex of his jump sets the standard for a magical 30 minutes. Brilliant dancing from everyone. I trust Koen Kessels was on stage ready for the opening night. http://www.roh.org.uk/news/watch-live-royal-ballet-rehearsals-for-twyla-tharps-the-illustrated-farewell-on-25-october-2017 I was not as taken with The Wind but would like very much to see it again. I just wondered if the billowing materials were too prominent and detracted from the dancing? I'm also not greatly taken with the cowboy culture but I did very much like the major characters. I see there's an Insight rehearsal tonight with Ed and Francesca and others which I'm sure will be well worth catching. http://www.roh.org.uk/news/watch-live-royal-ballet-rehearsals-for-the-wind-on-7-november-2017 For the Shechter, I'd found a second performance last time more rewarding than the first performance as I quite liked some of the organic movement but I'm afraid I wasn't impressed this time - dark, dull and relentlessly oppressive. I'd hoped the Nigel Farage dirge would have been replaced but unfortunately not.

Fascinating to see the comments on the ROH web. Both Lisette Oropresa and Chris Maltman have highlighted the changes to the production being driven solely by Katie Mitchell's rethinking. I don't recall dancers/singers making such comments before. http://www.roh.org.uk/news/your-reaction-what-did-you-think-of-lucia-di-lammermoor-2017

I really ought to look more closely at the various threads as I had no idea there was one on Lucia. I do so agree with Sim - Thursday's performance really was sensational. I've tended to shy away from Opera as we were absolutely spoiled when living in Kent in the 1970s to early 2000s with Solti, Davis, Haitink, Kleiber etc. There have been a few too many run of the mill performances/productions with cast members flying in for curtain up and no real sense of collective purpose. But Lucia was one of those exceptional nights which will live long in the memory. I did get a DVD of the first run so will at some point see the original production but I'm sure it will be Lisette Oropesa's coloratura, the wonderful flute accompaniment, and Michele Mariotti's conducting that will stay with me, supported by a strong cast and purposefully intelligent production.

Just back from a London trip taking in the final MacMillan evening, Lucia di Lammermoor and the Triple Bill general rehearsal. I'm sorry that I hadn't managed any earlier MacMillan performances given the enthusiastic reviews but the Insight relays have been excellent. I very much enjoy the intimacy of the Clore Studio and found Sea of Troubles fascinating and exquisite playing of Webern and Martinu. I'd not seen Judas Tree in the theatre before: brutal, traumatic and deeply unsettling, but demanding we explore humanity's dark recesses. Melissa, Benn, Matthew, Calvin and all the men were incredibly committed: the Royal Ballet have such strength in depth. The music works well and I would certainly go again. I'm not sure how dancers manage to recover from such searing roles - it certainly gave me a restless night simply having been in the audience. And how on earth they move from Judas Tree rehearsals to fun Alice performances etc is quite beyond me. Song was particularly poignant for me and lovely to see Tamara back at the ROH but I thought some sections didn't quite seem as coherent as I remember from recent Royal Ballet performances (passing the girl between the men) and I'm afraid I thought Joseph Caley distinctly underwhelming. In contrast I found Jeffrey Cirio a hugely impressive Messenger with real clarity and precision in his dancing. Again as many people have said the music was wonderfully performed. Congratulations to Kevin O’Hare and all involved in such a great collaboration and I agree with the calls for further such projects and not limited to MacMillan. Apologies for a slight aside but I must add how stunning Lucia was. Wonderful coloratura from Lisette Oropesa, strong cast, superlative shaping from conductor Michele Mariotti, and a gripping, intelligent production. Has quite restored my faith in Opera well in time for next Autumn’s Ring. Rather made for a traumatic series of performances with only The Illustrated Farewell as light relief but tremendous theatre and genuinely moving.