Richard LH

He was very impressive with those turns but so was Bracewell, I thought, and he is just a soloist. I would not discount the highly trained and practiced technical abilities, for turning or otherwise, of the other principals (some of whom were not performing as Siegfried in this run) and other dancers throughout the company, and other companies. I know when I saw Nunez effortlessly doing her fouettes on the first night I was thinking "that was matchless", but then I thought Takada did them even better on at least one occasion, and young Francesca Velicu of the ENB gave an amazing series of fouttes at the Emerging Dancer competition with loads of triples and doubles thrown in. There is so much technical talent out there at present.

True; the interplay between them is far less in the NP-it is still there to a degree but I think it depends more on subtle glances and how the particular Odile chooses to play it.

I am sure you are correct Lizbie and that Xandra has misinterpreted that comment. See https://www.finerylondon.com/uk/chapters/meet-francesca-hayward Hayward has confirmed she would indeed like to perform O/O and there is no reason she should feel unduly exposed in this role any more than the other highly classical tutu roles she has danced, to great acclaim - SPF, Aurora, Giselle. The idea that somehow Hayward is not right for such roles was discussed earlier this year and I thought we had laid this old chest-nut-cracker to rest !

Not being able to get to see the live screening, that evening we watched the most recent RB DVD instead...Osipova and Golding in 2015. Some random thoughts in comparison...OP = older production, NP = new. I acknowledge I am comparing live views of the NP with the OP DVD. The NP sets are just so much better. The lake was still pretty invisible in the OP. The NP costumes are also far better. The girls' pas de trois dresses in the OP were pretty horrible and I didn't like the partial black skirts that some swans had in Act 4. Siegfried's tights disappeared more in the OP - the Act 3 lighting did not help by being far too dark and purple. Act 3 in the OP all seemed rather messy. I didn't like the (6) princesses all being made to look the same. I didn't like the OP's inclusion of lots of little swans, presumably from the RB school, which tended to spoil the consistency and flow of the corps formations. Too many different heights. The drunk tutor in the OP was unfunny, and almost creepy with the two young girls. The villagers / maypole dancing in the OP were poorer than the NP court/military ensemble dances. Benno seemed to have little function in the OP; albeit I agree with those who think in the NP he perhaps has a little too much of a role, especially compared to Siegfried. Von Rothbart makes more sense in the NP. The NP's Act 1 to 2 transformation is a great addition and makes lovely use of a section of music which is rather thrown away by being orchestra-only in the OP. The death jump from Osipova, then Golding, looked like them jumping into the sea on holiday, followed by them taking a ride in a swan shaped pedalo into the sunset - too corny. As to those two OP leads, I thought Golding danced very well and appeared very princely. It is the first I have seen of him and was pleasantly surprised, given some views others have expressed. Siegfried seemed to have no more dancing to do in the OP than in the NP. I thought Osipova gave rather more of an athlete's performance than that of a ballerina' nuanced interpretation of Odette and Odile. I much preferred Nunez and Takada in the NP. Overall my summary would be that the OP was OK, but the NP far surpasses it.

Despite being privileged to see 5 performances of this SL I was unfortunately unable to include one with Naghdi, so it is great to hear universal praise for her debut. I wholly agree that Hayward (with Campbell if possible) must debut as O/O in the next run, and I am hoping this could be as early as Autumn next year, as surely SL will be run again in the 2019/20 season.

Whoa up there, Alison...! Alice found Kish "noticeably technically weaker" than Muntagirov in one particular production. I am no technical expert but I very much doubt that those who are, would judge all other RB principals (Watson, McRae, Campbell, Bonelli, et al) noticeably technically weaker than him in everything! Of course the overall performance also depends very much on acting/characterisation, partnering, interaction with other cast members, and projecting to the audience.

Boo!

How lovely, Petunia !

It was also Hayward as Manon, (and Takada), who really impressed and moved me, and will stick in my memory. Somehow I did not get the same feeling from Lamb in the live cinema version.

I am surprised to see so many seats still available for this production - hundreds per performance, and over 1000 for some dates. Is this normal for the ENB at the Coliseum? Surely it can't just be the price of the ice cream (£4 compared to £3 for the same small tasty tub at the ROH).....

But for me, this is rather too much over-analysis Drew !...with all due respect. But we agree as to being very impressed overall.

Putting the merits or otherwise of the event to one side for a moment, does anyone know if it will remain available online after the live streaming?

Yes it is annoying that the RB are not listing more of the cast in advance. I had hoped to see Campbell, Takada and Hayward again (thinking they were the standard accompaniment to Nunez and Muntagirov) and whilst very good, Dyer, Calvert and Stix-Brunell did not quite pack the same punch of magic.

We were there for today's matinee...great views of the whole stage from near the front of the stalls, unlike at ROH where low seating positions, and people in front, can limit the view. Also a lot cheaper...and as it was a lovely production, it was indeed a shame not to have a full house. (That said, for all its foibles, I prefer the special, somehow warmer and cosier, atmosphere of the ROH). Erina Takahashi was a fantastic Aurora, and well supported by Aitor Arrieta debuting as Prince Desire. I thought that Francesca Velicu looked very graceful and accomplished and I can understand why she is regarded as one to watch, whilst Julia Conway was a great Florine.

Well considered, Floss. Do you (or does anyone else) have any thoughts as to the prospects for RB females to be promoted to Principal this year, or perhaps next? As others have posted, some of the First Soloists have been in that position for quite a few years and for whatever reason, though wonderful dancers, may not be realistically expecting (or even perhaps wanting) this further step. However I'm thinking there could be potential room for Calvert and/or Stix-Brunell, both fairly recent first soloists (2016), leaving in turn First Soloist spaces for the likes of Heap, Magri, O'Sullivan, Hinkis, or Kaneko.

I have also been impressed by Alexander as a presenter/ interviewer on RB Insights....he seems very personable, and able to relate to others, and I expect this helps his characterisations when performing.

Bracewell plus Graceful = Braceful! Certainly in line for promotion, if he continues with the sort of sensitive, musically-aware classical performances he is giving us in Swan Lake.

I totally agree...she has been mesmerising in this new Swan Lake.

Being able to promote a dedicated and talented dancer must be one of the best parts of leading a great Company; not being able to promote another, one of the worst. Worse still must be having to accept (or even harder, encourage) the retirement, from active performances, of a long-standing Company favourite, even though it can remove a log jam and enable well deserved promotions right down the line. I just wonder if we are to see any such retirements later this year...

Lovely interview TTP! It is great to hear how grounded Claire is, and fascinating to hear how she is inspired by her fellow dancers. For her to praise Hayward (her younger contemporary) so fulsomely, shows a real generosity of spirit. Claire is a real star of the current RB.

In each of the (4!) performances I have seen, whether viewed from near the front of the stalls to the rear of the balcony, the Corps have looked wonderful, and completely together, despite also having other commitments (i.e. the Gala and for some their other individual roles in SL). I cannot praise them enough for their dedication, skill, and grace.

I like the way that VR suddenly emerges out of the Rock in Act II then merges back into it on his death.

Yes I agree...great, sensitive, classical dancing from him.

Takada was sensational tonight!....this is a great production for her.

I recommend working from home, Sim !