Riva

Wow this is all really useful thank you so much for your thoughts! I'm inclined to plump for Osipova/Halberg or Nunez/Muntagirov, if only for the reason that (hopefully) Naghdi/Ball and Hayward/Sambe will presumably be performing for greater years to come and I will therefore have more of a chance of seeing them dance the roles the next time it's scheduled. But another part of me is loathe to miss a spectacular debut! To be honest I've not seen much of Francesca Hayward, Yasmine Naghdi, Marci Sambe or Matthew Ball previously. I always used to book Yuhui Choe and Alexander Campbell performances as my first choice (or any cast including Ed Watson!) but alas they don't appear to be partnered much these days. I've got a soft spot for Marianela Nunez, and looking forward to seeing her and Vadim Muntagirov in Sylvia. Enjoyed Akane Takada very much in The Dream, and Lauren Cuthbertson's Aurora. I might be able to stretch the budget to two performances if I do cheap amphi seats but doubt I can really afford more than that. I could book a day off work to go to a friends rehearsal but I don't think there's any way of knowing which artists are performing until you get there!

Ah thank you Geoff I'd forgotten about that!

Hello from a long term reader and first time poster. I'm in a bit of a pickle preparing to book tickets to Giselle next year at ROH and hoped you good people could provide some insight into which cast to try and book (although understanding that we are always at the mercy of illness and injury). I've seen the production twice previously, Lamb/McRae and later Lamb/Golding when Sarah Lamb filled in for an injured Natalia Osipova who I had booked for as I'd heard that Giselle was her 'signature' role. Loved Sarah Lamb's performance on both occasions but would be interested to see how other dancers interpret it. I understand the options (apart from Lamb/Hirano) are Nunez/Muntagirov, Takada/McRae, Hayward/Sambe, Cuthbertson/Bonelli, Naghdi/Ball, Morera/Kish or Osipova/Halberg. Would be really keen to hear everyone's thoughts and very grateful for your advice, thank you in advance!