CCL

Oh no! Really sorry to hear this. 

Hoping and praying I’ll be able to see ENB on the 27th…

I noticed MT during the evening performance on Nov 20th for her very natural acting and beautiful dancing. I was extremely impressed by her and hope to be able to see her dance again soon 

Fonty, Giselle comes up through a trap door in this production 

Beautiful evening tonight. I just didn’t want the magic to end

 I’m pretty pleased that the date I booked for has Maria Kochetkova as Clara - I’m intrigued to see her. Pleased I’ll be seeing Isaac Hernandez too.

Back to the music…I really like it - especially in Act Two - especially Myrthe’s entrance. In fact, I was reflecting on this on Monday night - it’s exquisite.  It may not be ‘great’ music but it is emotive and it touches me. 
I’m counting the days to seeing Naghdi and Ball on the 20th!

I’m on my way home now with so many thoughts and images whirling around my mind. That was an unforgettable evening- and I’ll be forever grateful that my daughter’s first RB Giselle was so very special. I’ll try to put some coherent words together tomorrow.

I am already blown away by Nunez tonight…I’m sure I shall be in bits by the end!

Sim, what a wonderful review. I was intrigued by your description of Mayara Magri’s Myrthe at the point where Giselle protects Albrecht. I’ll be seeing her in the role on Monday evening and am really looking forward to seeing her interpretation!

What beautiful pictures. I’m so excited for Monday evening!

22 hours ago, Tony Newcombe said:

Now we know why Acosta promoted Yu Kurihara to soloist after only 5 minutes in the Company.She was absolutely sensational this afternoon .

I thought she was wonderful as Cinderella in the summer; I’d absolutely love to see her as Juliet!

I’m not seeing R and J this time around- none of the dates of the performances that I really wanted to see worked for me. However, wanted to just add my voice for Muntagirov as Romeo with Sarah Lamb - I was blown away by them both when I saw them three (?) years ago. Thomas Whitehead was Tybalt then and I’m afraid I also thought it was a bit of a one dimensional portrayal. There is nuance in Shakespeare’s presentation of his character and I like to see this nuance portrayed on stage. Slightly off topic but I’m counting the days now until the first of the Giselles that I’ve booked 😊

Thank you Mary Rose. I’m disappointed that I won’t be able to make any performances of BRB’s R and J this time around. I enjoyed your review and agree that Hirata and Morales are a very special partnership indeed!

20 hours ago, maryrosesatonapin said:

Although Morales is probably too old to be Romeo, my betting is he will equal anyone in technique and poetry!

I don’t agree with the first part of your sentence but I definitely agree with the second part! I saw a tantalising glimpse of his Romeo at the Evening of Music and Dance last year (seems like a lifetime ago). He danced with a boyish ardour that was quite breathtaking.

Sorry to divert off-topic. I hope all members who are at tonight’s performance have a wonderful evening.

5 minutes ago, Dawnstar said:

Although if covid rates remaind high then I may have just wasted hundreds of pounds.

That thought was in the back of my mind too, Dawnstar! That being said, I booked two dates for‘Giselle’ and agree, it was blessedly straightforward. 

100%! I remembered way more about Spandau Ballet than I realised!

Thank you so much Chris for your report from the frontline! I had so many things I wanted to know about the involvement of the choir and how it felt to be a part of this beautiful production- and you have answered all of my unspoken questions! How lucky you all were to be so intimately involved! And from an audience point of view - the singing was hauntingly beautiful. I only wish that I could have been there on Thursday too. Thanks again!

Sorry Ian, that should indeed have read ‘created by Carlos Acosta and Zenaida Yanowsky’.  I got carried away in my enthusiasm and should have double-checked for meaning! 

Apart from travel issues, I was so happy to be able to be at the Lowry last night. The duets (with Laura Rodriguez of Acosta Danza) and solos for both Carlos and Laura formed a narrative framework; all touched me in different ways. Carlos’ solo ‘Two’ with choreography by Russell Maliphant was especially thrilling, the clever lighting making his arms look like lightning. Laura’s solo ‘Footnote to Ashton’ was beautifully staged with dozens of candles and gorgeous music by Handel, which complemented the lyrical, poignant choreography by Kim Brandstrup. Most touching of all was the intimate, reflective duet ‘Nosotros’ by Raul Reinoso and the climactic, elegiac O Magnum Mysterium’, (Acosta and Zenaida Yanowsky) complete with the singing of the Halle choir - a real goosebumps ending. It was wonderful to see Carlos dance again and to see this new partnership, an unforgettable evening.

If travelling to the Lowry by Metrolink this week, be aware that the Eccles line is not running and there is a replacement bus route. This sounds a bit grim as there are also roadworks on Trafford Road. I’m going to change at Cornbrook this evening and take the Trafford Centre line, getting off at Imperial War Museum from where it’s an easy walk to the Lowry. Hope this information may be of use.

I’ll be at the Lowry on the 21st! I’m very much looking forward to it 

My mum and I had a lovely time at Saturday’s matinee. I love to see a debut and Yu Kurihura was a thoroughly engaging and expressive Cinderella, radiating kindness and compassion in her interaction with the woman in rags by the fire, or love and longing as she looked at her treasured relics of her mother. When the oppressive kitchen scenery melted away, the stars waltzed and the fairy godmother prepared Cinderella for the ball in her coach, I had a lump in my throat for the sheer beauty of it.  In the ballroom scene I enjoyed the antics of the stepsisters (Alexandra Burman and Reina Fuchigami, both very amusing). Brandon Lawrence made a dazzling entrance and was the epitome of a handsome and charming Prince. I couldn’t take my eyes off him! His Prince was immediately smitten with Cinderella and their confident pas de deux was ravishing. The final scene as Cinderella and the Prince walked blissfully into the starry night, was gorgeous. Kudos to all for a beautiful performance! 

Congratulations to all the winners. I am so pleased for Cesar Morales!

I’m looking forward to seeing Cinderella on Saturday afternoon- my first ballet since Lazuli Sky at Sadlers on October 31st! I’m excited and guessing that I will feel very emotional when the curtain goes up!