aliceinwoolfland

Just booked for the Corrales/Lamb/Muntagirov/Naghdi cast of the winter triple bill. Very excited, especially as I didn't get Nutcracker tickets this year. It was also a bit of a novelty to be able to pick up tickets on the 2nd row of orchestra stalls for just over £50 each! 

I noticed that. A shame considering the fact that I like to keep cast change slips with my programmes, rather than writing on the programme itself! 

On 23/10/2018 at 21:06, Richard LH said:

Yes it is strange a soloist gets 5 lead outings whilst the principal Campbell gets none. I suppose he could be down as potential super-sub again but waiting for an injury is rather a sad way to get into this role at the RB. And as Jan says, it's not as if he didn't have experience as Romeo at BRB.

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. 

12 hours ago, graemew said:

I apologise if this has been mentioned before (it is rather a long thread to scan through) but why do people lean forward in their seats in the Ampi at ROH? Elbows on knees,  chins on palms and then the person behind can't see a thing. With normal behaviour the sight lines up there are some of the best.

The worst audiences for general behaviour seem to come along with the Russian summer visits. A higher percentage of casual holiday visitors perhaps?

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/

6 hours ago, cavycapers said:

But given the fact that the decision was made to make sure that one of each couple was an experienced hand,  wisely in my opinion,  who would you have partnered him with?  Kish may not have blown me away,  but I understood how important his steady partnering was with Nagdhi. 

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.