CCL

4 hours ago, Lynette H said:

Playlist 1,2 would sit very happily in one of Sadler's annual Sampled programmes, where they serve up a mix of excerpts from different companies and genres. The stalls seats are taken out and standing down there is cheap. I can imagine it going down very well with that usually very lively audience. 

What a fantastic idea! Hope someone takes note!

My sketchy thoughts from this afternoon - I enjoyed all four pieces and thought they complemented each other well. Fantastic Beings was absorbing and intriguing- sinewy dancing, sometimes playful, sometimes threatening, sometimes beautiful. The score was stirring and played with great vigour by the orchestra. I was fascinated by Approximate Sonata and its 5 different pdd, sometimes disjointed and almost deconstructed, yet it felt very intimate somehow, and again there was an element of playfulness. The Cage was thrilling: the almost impossible fierceness of the female creatures was a sight to behold, and Stravinsky’s score was so vivid and urgent. Finally, I loved LOVED Playlist (Track one, two). Virtuoso dancing and so joyful and euphoric - this must be the first time I’ve been to the ballet and wanted to stand up and join in! Overall I felt that ENB look strong,unified and at the top of their game.  I envy anyone who is yet to see Voices of America!

I’m going tomorrow afternoon- I’ll try to post some thoughts when I get home!

I also couldn’t get the info on a tablet, it was the same cast list for each date, even when I clicked “ all dates”. I had to switch to laptop to get the correct info. Anyway, I booked for the matinee performance of the 13th - very much looking forward to it.

Thank you for the link, very interesting comments and very helpful.

Happy New Year to all

13 minutes ago, capybara said:

 

 

La Sylphide is the one I'd miss if the combinations gave me that choice.

 

Capybara, that was initially my thought...I'd like to see Jeune Homme and Song more than I'd like to see Sylphide. I've never seen Jeune Homme in performance but I remember (and this will date me!) being blown away by Baryshnikov performing it at the beginning of the film "White Nights". I love the Bach music, too.

However, Beryl's comment above piqued my interest in Sylphide- I had forgotten its similarities to Giselle, remembering only the Scottish divertissements. I think I'm more likely to see the second programme, with Le Jeune Homme.

Does anyone have any thoughts on either of the double bills? Did anyone see it in Manchester or Milton Keynes? Is anyone planning to see it in London? I'm contemplating going, but not sure which one. I'd love to hear anyone's thoughts!

Thank you Janet, and everyone else who responded to my post. Now that I have taken the plunge, I aim to comment more often!

Still on the topic of ENB, is anyone planning to see either of the double bills at the Coli?

Hello - I'm not sure if I have posted before, although I've been lurking for around a year! I went yesterday afternoon (December 28th) and I must say I enjoyed it very much, as I always do. I have been taking my daughters to ENB's Nutcracker every year for the past seven years, and it is part of our festive traditions. I can understand why it might not be to everyone's tastes, the nephew/Nutcracker part of the story is a little complicated,  but overall I think there's much to admire in this production  and there are so many moments I look forward to seeing. Yesterday I was thrilled to see Rina Kanehara as Clara, I thought she was utterly exquisite, so light and ethereal, and with such vivid facial expressions. She was partnered beautifully by Aaron Robison, he too was a joy to watch, such a strong and powerful technique and what came across really clearly to me was their enjoyment in their dancing. I was also very impressed with Sophia Mucha as Young Clara - wonderful dancing and acting. Altogether my daughters and I had a wonderful afternoon.