Richard LH

Lovely reviews from @JennyTaylor and @Linnzi5...thank you for putting into words, so fully and eloquently, what I was struggling to express...I don't have enough superlatives to give proper credit to Fumi and Will for their amazing performances last night. What an advert for this art form..I sat next to a young man who was seeing his first ballet, and he was absolutely astounded by the skill and elegance on display. I think he is now securely hooked! Yes it was Fumi and Will's night but I wouldn't want that to detract in any way from the performances put in by the rest of the whole Company, and from the brilliant staging and music.....the Swan Corps were sublime and their Act 4 introduction dancing, amongst the mist, a thing of rare beauty to witness. Dance after dance, in every Act, was just exceptional. The RB is benefiting from some outstanding coaches and coaching at present. Can't wait to see more casts as the run progresses....! Finally it was super to have a quick word again with @Silke H and @Dawnstar and to meet @Linnzi5for the first time.

Pure magic tonight.. ❤️

Excellent cast! Looking forward to the first SL of the run for me...

Yep, plenty of seats currently available for 25th June....

🤣

Very pleased that I somehow managed to grab a pair of tickets for SL Kaneko/Bracewell on Friday despite the "partial outage"! 😄

Trying to recognise some of the newer dancers....does anyone know who are the three ladies behind in this picture, from left to right?

What an exemplary, emotional display of artistry from Alex and Frankie, supported by a great cast....such a fitting tribute to Alex's final performance. So wonderful to be able to see this, and witness all the love and respect shown by his colleagues on stage at the end. A very special night...

That's a shame @bridiem; I did the same thing and wandered around for a bit in the Floral Hall before finding a group in little corner between the main stairs (up to the Crush Room etc and down to the old foyer) and the window overlooking Bow Street. Maybe next time ?!

But if we all wait for others to start, no-one will...🤔😂

Well Vadim got applause on entrance in the performance I saw recently......conversely Frankie didn't get any applause on her entrance last Saturday...I did try at first but it didn't catch on which is always a bit embarrassing! Maybe if enough of us try tonight when Alex enters!? Assuming it can be coordinated, since as @Dawnstar suggests, it is rather an informal entrance which I usually manage to miss!

Good to see Yuhui in the cast .....she has also had some great partnerships with Alex over the years.

Maybe when on pointe .....

Quitto?

Apologies, I think I have been at fault here.

This is getting emotional already......

It's not just Kessels that slows things down....Boris Gruzin virtually brings The Shades to a standstill in the last RB recording of La Bayadere!

To be fair though, the first position is full a full-time, permanent leadership role as a Senior Manager, whereas the other is a casual contract position with presumably far fewer overall required qualifications or relevant experience. So I don't think this particular instance is a like-for-like comparison, but I do agree that one does wonder at times about the smaller amount of emphasis apparently given to practical skills. And I also agree about the interminable feeble marketing surveys we now seem to be bombarded with.....

Good to hear....presumably she has been injured for a while?

I thought @Scheherezade said that her friend DID miss Vadim and Fumi, but saw, and was wowed by, Alex and Frankie ....but I am now completely confused!

With the recent departures of Edward Watson and Federico Bonelli, and now Alexander Campbell, I am thinking the RB has now lost three outstanding actor/dancers in short succession.....😕

😍

Either way it's too late now @Fonty...you have mentioned it! 🤭

Well that was a strange night for me....all going fine until just before the first Act PDD when I succumbed to one of my occasional migraines which (apart from the headache and sick feeling) affects my vision for a while. I stayed in situ trying to watch, and could sense I was missing out proper enjoyment of a really wonderful performance by Alex and Frankie! Fortunately I also have tickets for Friday, and all being well I should be OK for that. I had meant to try and meet other Members in the interval but didn't feel up to it... so my best wishes in absentia to those who were there.

I have also booked and signed up for offers but haven't received an offer as yet.