aliceinwoolfland

I can only speculate, but Campbell has been given such an appalling roster of roles (or lack thereof) over the past year or so, and it doesn't seem fair that he has only danced some of the lead roles because of injury. It seems he is being relegated to the 'trusty sidekick/slightly comic villain' role all too often. I wouldn't be surprised if he started looking at other top ballet companies, which would be a dreadful loss. I am also planning to book for the 1st June R&J matinee but am anticipating a terrifying bloodbath!

I was a bit disappointed with the new spaces last night. Lots of beige, and the basement area did feel like an uninspiring museum cafe. Imagine how much more beautiful it could have been if the ROH had found a way to blend it with the old spaces - quirky chandeliers, hanging pointe shoes, murals made of costume fabric scraps, artwork across the walls, modern furniture with red velvet upholstery.... The Amphi bar felt more like a corridor than a bar, and my ticket and bag were not checked at all which was a tad disconcerting.

I'm quite short and if I sit in the front row of the Amphi at the side (e.g. seat 80) with my back against the seat, I can't see half of the stage. That said, if I lean forward I make sure it's only enough for me to see.

I would definitely buy a pair!!

I've never seen Mayerling before so have nothing to compare this performance to, but I thought McRae and Takada were outstanding tonight. A chilling performance with a good supporting cast - Laura Morera was a particular standout. I had been worried from some of the earlier comments that McRae's interpretation would be over-egged, but Ioved the subtle character development throughout and he has great chemistry with the effortlessly youthful Takada. A couple of minor niggles - from the distance of the Amphi it is sometimes hard to tell some of the more minor characters apart, even with opera glasses. And the firework display on the screen looked very silly and unrealistic from high above. But the whole experience was brilliant overall.

Has anyone seen McRae in Mayerling and liked him? I could only afford to get one ticket and picked him due to scheduling, and am regretting it based on the comments 😕

I would love to dance as Woolf in Woolf Works.

Still says subscription only

I once wrote to Francesca Hayward and drew a picture. Didn't get a response but she was probably very busy! I'm sure she read it and hopefully appreciated it

^ I agree - there’s nothing particularly funny about ‘punching down’.

I spoke to someone at the ROH shop several months ago and he said it was supposed to be released already but had been delayed for some reason.

Oops, my mistake!

A shame that Naghdi and Hayward only have one show each when they are so popular. I feel that Hayward especially could have done with two given her lack of big roles in this season. Also, I know she is the most experienced principal with a luminous RB career, but it’s a bit frustrating to always see the same line up - Nunez and Muntagirov - and they also do most opening nights. They’re not always the best pairing, I don’t know why they’re exempt from KOH’s preference for mixing up couples, and I don’t think Nunez is best suited to every role in the RB’s repertoire.

I am concerned that Campbell isn’t getting the big roles because I am worried he might go elsewhere! I was genuinely quite shocked that he wasn’t initially cast as the principal lead in Giselle, Manon or Swan Lake, and I’m disappointed he hasn’t been given the opportunity to dance Rudolf.

I can’t wait for Woolf Works to come back!

10 female first soloists and only 4 male first soloists. Very disappointed that Clarke has not been promoted. I personally would’ve promoted him above Heap but I’m aware that I am only a layperson here and do not have KOH’s insight or outlook!

I think Choe is way past the stage at which she would be promoted and I don’t think she has the pizzazz of a principal. I also think she is really happy as a first soloist and I doubt she will be leaving the RB anytime soon. I also don’t think Hamilton is quite principal material at the RB. Out of all the current female first soloists I would hope for Magri/Stix Brunell to eventually reach principal level. I also have a big soft spot for Claire Calvert.

I sincerely hope that Fumi Kaneko is promoted from soloist to first soloist!

Congrats to the happy couple!

Douglas Allen - I go to the ballet to enjoy myself, not to distinguish myself as unvulgar and uncommon 😂

And no Mary Vetsera for Hayward either

My review of Swan Lake with Naghdi is up! https://aliceinballetland.wordpress.com/2018/06/14/review-swan-lake-royal-ballet-11-6-18/

I think Campbell - or Ball - would have made a fine and steady partner for Naghdi. They’ve both proven themselves to be excellent and reliable. I think Kish didn’t do Naghdi justice at all. At Principal level I look for more than a steady partner. I didn’t see any chemistry with Naghdi and I was totally unmoved by him. He was also noticeably technically weaker than Muntagirov. Probably a controversial opinion but I wouldn’t have cast Kish at all as Siegfried - after all, Soares has also been left out. If Naghdi had to go with an experienced Siegfried I’d suggest Bonelli.

I totally agree. The fact that as a Principal he was not (originally) cast as Albrecht, Des Grieux OR Siegfried seems completely bizarre. Give me him over Kish any day.

I had a slightly stressful experience at the ROH on Monday - I was sitting in the amphitheatre, in a non restricted view seat, but being very small my view was almost totally blocked by a very tall woman in front. I sat on an inflatable cushion, which made me about the same height as most other people (and still shorter than my boyfriend) and at the end of the first interval the women behind me complained that I was blocking their view and that the seat cushions are only for children. I explained I couldn’t see otherwise and suggested that they also get a cushion. They went off to complain to the ushers and came back grumbling but didn’t say anything else to me for the rest of the performance. Can anyone advise if I was breaking some sort of code of conduct? I don’t want to deliberately block anyone’s view but I’d paid for a non restricted view seat and I am pretty short....