Richard LH

The Winter's Tale (2018) is also available on DVD/ Blu-ray.

Not only that, but they advertise that the full 2005 Fille is available to watch on Streaming. As it is plainly deemed acceptable to watch in that way, there is clearly no issues of social or cultural sensitivity to prevent it returning live!

Sorry to note a cast change announcement by NBS that due to injury Cesar Corrales won't be performing in the RB Japan tour this Summer. Alex Campbell replaces him as Romeo.

Snap!😂

Wow I didn't know that...it just shows how things can change!

On a not wholly unrelated point (indeed a good example re. the above), RB Aud Jebsen dancer Ava May Llewellyn has just announced that she is now an Artist with the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Best wishes to her in her future career!

Fair point Janet - I have edited my post for clarification.

Both Muntagirov and Campbell trained at the Royal Ballet School so in a sense they returned to where they graduated. Nothing particularly objectionable in that. There is no "bribery" involved - just companies and dancers agreeing what is mutually in their best interests.

I am sure you are correct on this @Lizbie1 ...there were cameras on Wednesday (5th April) and I can't imagine any change is possible before filming on the 12th. Continuity for editing scene choices would be particularly important for a later DVD. I think we can only hope for sufficient complaints to bring about a change later on (ideally still within the current run).

It seems that this problem extends well beyond the "to be expected" restricted views from certain seats or standing positions. It is pretty serious and frustrating for those in the "wrong" place, and I have also contacted the ROH to ask if it can be rectified. Perhaps if enough others on the Forum did the same, we might influence the powers that be?

Yes I should have mentioned him.... very spectacular and a seemingly tireless, virtuosic performance! As for seeming rather sinister at times, don't jesters often have a slightly dark, or at at least mocking and anarchic, element to them?

What a lovely expression @Dawnstarfor a feeling I am sure many of us have felt at various times, in relation to various dancers, but certainly true for me last night.

I was at the centre front of the balcony, my wife was at the centre rear of the orchestra stalls - not our usual seating arrangements by the way! - and we both had very good views of the starry arch lighting. Clearly there will be some more restricted views from parts of the auditorium, as Alison has kindly pointed out.

Yes it was.

Having now seen the new production, I am slightly baffled by some of the less than effusive reviews on this forum! Here’s why… I really love all the costumes – colourful, bright, fresh and well-suited to their respective characters. I didn’t have any issue with the fairy attendants (and wouldn’t have particularly noticed them but for the comments on this forum). The scenery is superb, and the staging is brilliant and just magical, especially at the ends of each Act, marvellously enhanced by the starry lighting, some cleverly expanding scenery, and various other visual tricks. It will be interesting to see how it comes across in the cinema, but I suspect that you need to be in the auditorium to really appreciate it – there is so much going on. Whereas I haven’t been able to warm to earlier recorded iterations of the sisters, with their grotesque rubbery facial make up and unfunny antics, the Avis/Acri pairing actually gave me several chuckles…it does help to be familiar with these two dancers in their more usual roles , as has been mentioned. They managed to add character, and even a little pathos, to the sisters rather than simply playing them as caricatures and it was nice to see them finally acknowledging Cinderella as princess-in-waiting at the end. With several tweaks improving the “gags”, their contribution to the evening was not wholly unwelcome and was certainly well received by the majority of the audience! Marianela Nunez was on consummate form and must be regarded as the go-to standard for technical excellence just at the moment. I sat next to a couple of ladies visiting from the States who are great Nela fans and were visibly moved at end after her ascent into the showery golden realm. Of course she was so well assisted by the magnificent Muntagirov in his most princely of modes! The role of Fairy Godmother in disguise has been enhanced, and Olga Sabadoch provides a more interesting, rounded interaction with Cinderella’s disfunctional family. Transformed into the lovely Fumi Kaneko, the Fairy Godmother takes on her true shape. Fumi excelled in the role (it must have been a bit of left-over orange peel that caused her a slight slip at one point) and I am now very much looking forward to seeing her own interpretation of Cinders, along with that of Akane Takada (fingers very much crossed for her). Finally Ashton’s choreography – superb, unique and designed perfectly to be in step with Prokofiev’s inventive, dramatic music, which was colourfully executed under the baton of Koen Kessels. Act 2 in particular looks wonderful, with its sections of non-stop, interchanging ballroom dancing, where the corps look resplendent and on top form. Cinderella’s dreamlike arrival at the ball must be one of the most spellbinding entrances in ballet – not to be missed. The dancing and music builds up to an electrifying level at the end of Acts 1 and 2, and at the end of Act 3, becomes hopelessly, and beautifully romantic. A wonderful return to the stage for this work, and fully deserving its billing. It would be a super Christmas treat anytime soon!

Wow this is wonderful.. loving it 😍 !

Well said @jmhopton!

Yes of course, all sorts of offensiveness to do with the entitled class system, informed consent etc......(yawn)! 🥱 Unfortunately some people seem obsessed with looking for problem social/cultural issues where none really exist.

As you said, once was enough! 😂

Yes real life is often depressing and distasteful..... personally I don't necessarily want, or need, to pay for a ballet performance just to be reminded of that, but of course that's just my choice. I don't think it's a question of not being able to "handle it" as an adult! And there are plenty of wonderful ballet options without just relying on "fairytales".

I think is possible to imagine productions that should/would be banned for illegality but of course Mayerling comes nowhere close to this, simply for the sins of being (IMO) distasteful and depressing. Anyway ( back on topic) it won't be performed next season.

Budget cuts? 😂

Yes being in the studio for that one was very memorable....Makarova coaching Takada and Naghdi. At the end Akane threw a knife at Yasmine...perhaps taking her part too seriously! 🤣

My ears are still ringing from this clip! Thanks bridiem. Looking forward to this cast on the 14th....

That's Serenade twice Jane! Fine by me....!