Richard LH

17 hours ago, aliceinwoolfland said:

Francesca Hayward told me today that she will be in Acts 1 and 3 of Swan Lake 'doing something', but sadly not the Naghdi performance I'm booked to see!

Sorry to hear that you won't see her in that cast...no idea which cast(s) she will be joining, I suppose?

28 minutes ago, JohnS said:

16 hours ago, capybara said:

I felt no chemistry between  the two leads and the fact that they hardly related to one another at the curtain calls served to emphasise a gap which should not have been there - such a pity.

 

I found the curtain calls extremely touching and am delighted that bangorballetboy has posted fabulous photos on Instagram (again) which capture those moments.

I agree JohnS, I didn't see any lack of rapport between them at the curtain calls. I don't think Hayward could have danced so well if she did not have, and feel, true chemistry with her partner.  She has just given him first mention and praise on her Instagram page.

16 hours ago, Richard LH said:

Just witnessed a sublime performance by Francesca Hayward in her last Manon this run.....😅

I find that the above Emoji, picked on my tablet yesterday on the train home,  comes out looking different on the PC.  On the tablet I can't see a written description of Emojis and I thought I had picked something like "Happy And Shedding A Tear" - not, as the PC has it,  "Smiling Face With Open Mouth And Cold Sweat" !  Learning point for the day is not to rely on technological short cuts as a lazy way to  describe your feelings!  

I am so pleased that posters here loved this performance so much, and it certainly went down a storm in the ROH. All the cast were tremendous  and as other have said, Campbell seems to be on amazing form at the moment in whatever role. Calvert too. Thinking of another thread,  I was wondering of this was to be one of the rare "standing ovation" occasions - apparently not,  so I am not sure when that would ever be ! - perhaps only a farewell  performance from a much loved principal. 

It is difficult to know how to usefully add to the praise for Hayward's performances. Her beautiful, flowing, agile dancing style is now a "given"  but deserves yet another mention, considering how much hard work she must have put into presenting, as effortless, what is extremely  complex and difficult, both in terms of technique, and characterisation.

One  special moment for me was during her first  PDD when you could see the surprise and joy entering her face and her dancing as she suddenly  discovered the thrill of being with Des Grieux.

And then several moments during Act 2 as her delight in being the centre of attention, and being courted by numerous men,  becomes  increasingly pierced with doubts as she keeps encountering Des Grieux.

And then  towards the end of Act 2 when she was trying to tease Des Grieux (and I think convince herself) into believing  she could have both his love and the rewards (bracelet)  from other liaisons - and her shock in his rejection of that.

Just brilliant. 

Just witnessed a sublime performance by Francesca Hayward in her last Manon this run.....😅

7 minutes ago, Mary said:

His love for the ballet certainly came over and made me warm to him.

Agreed, and I liked the way he wasn't afraid to demonstrate the movements himself to explain what he was looking for.

On the live rehearsal just now didn't Kristen McNally say the Live Cinema was on 01 June? I thought it was the 12th....

2 hours ago, RuthE said:

it's a huge faff trying to get my TV to play the thing through Facebook

RuthE, and ninamargaret, I am no technical expert but if you have a tablet or laptop there are often ways to use that to cast or mirror the content on to a smart TV - either via a hard wire (HDMI cable) or wirelessly. You might like to check your TV /laptop manuals and the relevant settings needed. 

11 hours ago, Odyssey said:

There was scant reference to anything other than his 'tortured/dark' subjects for his ballets

Yes I didn't enjoy the lengthy time spent discussing, and  lingering on the scenes of, sexual violence in The Invitation and The Judas Tree. It didn't exactly encourage me to want to see either  of those!

Despite the quite touching family-related parts, and some lovely dancing sequences,  to me it all portrayed  a slightly depressing impression of Macmillan, when really I would have hoped for something more uplifting, given his wonderful choreography and production values in other works. Also, all the “talking heads” of dancers were those who had retired, or at least pretty close to doing so, and it would have been good to include some current virtuosi  giving their views as to the ongoing relevance of Macmillan’s work today and their enjoyment in performing it.  

9 hours ago, alison said:

(And wouldn't Takada have featured in the odd McGregor DVD, at least?)

Early in her career she appears in Limen (2009) in one the compliations  - I don't know the role. 

Similarly she appears in "Monotones" on an Ashton Celebration DVD which I haven't seen either.

She also appears as Zulme on the 2014 Giselle DVD.

It is really he lack of recorded appearances, as Principals,  of these younger dancers that I have tried to draw attention to....probably now to the point of tedium ! 

Lamb was also in Mayerling 2009 and has  been featured on compilation DVDs  in Les Patineurs, Elite Syncopations, Chroma, Limen, and Afternoon of a Faun.

As for younger principals, as far as I am aware, Takada, Hayward and Naghdi have only been featured on 1  DVD between them (Hayward as Clara in the Nutcracker - Hayward also featured, of course,  on the BBC Nutcracker documentary about her SPF debut).

Balletfanp given the above, and also what I felt as to the relative strengths of performances of Manon I have seen, yes  I do think, personally, that another cast would have been preferable for the filming, and I would like some greater variety in the future. I am just a bit surprised you felt that expressing an opinion like that  is a step too far, and mean spirited, when posting in response to the ROH's invitation to comment on their filmed production. Anyhoo...

On 5/6/2018 at 13:51, penelopesimpson said:

Me, too Richard.  Couldn't get tickets for the first night but waiting with bated breath for 19th.  I feel confident we are in for a treat

Yes indeed....but with only 12 days to go I am now wondering 1) will McRae actually be dancing this, after his long absence through injury and 2) when are we likely to be informed of other cast members, in all the performances....(unless I have missed something, only the two main roles  have been announced to date) ?? 🤔

So glad you enjoyed this performance Jan...a great review.

Thanks Mary!

2 hours ago, Balletfanp said:

I have seen an example of it recently on the ROH website under the comments section about the cinema relay the other night. I can’t remember exact wording, but one poster raised the point that the younger principal casts never seem to appear in the cinema relays and that perhaps they should. A perfectly valid point. However, he then went on to further push the point by making negative comments about the performance shown and suggest that as he and others had enjoyed the performances of other casts more, they should have been the ones shown. Personally, I felt that was a step too far. Quite apart from the fact that others would disagree (and all other comments were glowing), it felt a bit mean-spirited, plus a preference for a particular cast or performance is a personal thing.

I think I am  the poster you are referring to. I would argue for other younger RB Principals to be chosen more in filmings and DVDs not just because I personally enjoy their work but because it seems to me the choice of filmed Principals is limited to a select, longer established, few. We have discussed this on balletcoforum. What I posted on the ROH site was  "can I put in a plea for other younger RB Principals to be shown in filmings/DVDs? In this run of Manon, for example, Hayward/ Bonelli, and Takada/Campbell, have been widely and hugely praised and I don't think I am alone in having enjoyed their performances much more than Lamb/ Muntagirov who seemed to take until Act 3 to really catch fire".The RB specifically asked for our views on this live cinema performance of Manon and I don't think  I have been unduly negative or mean spirited,  in my response. Nor do I think mine is a wholly unique view, based on other comments on balletcoforum, but even if it was, what does that matter ? - it's just my opinion. Of course you and others can disagree, or agree. That is what discussion forums are for.

1 hour ago, Saodan said:

This is why I don’t post reviews anymore. I find it difficult to praise a dancer without slipping into saying “I saw the best performance ever and no other dancer could even come close."

To say what's in the quotes would be pure hyperbole, of little merit, because no-one can possibly have seen every dancer's past interpretation of a particular role (as well as having foresight as to future performances), and because it excludes others' opinions about essentially subjective responses to different dancers. But it must be perfectly valid to say "I saw A/B in X and I thought they surpassed everyone I have seen in that role" especially if reasons are given.

11 hours ago, Rob S said:

What I'd like to know is whether members are going to try to avoid reviews here, in the newspapers, on Radio 4 etc until they've been to see a performance themselves

I am going to Takada /McRae on the first Saturday. I will read any reviews of the opening night (Nunez/Muntagirov) with great interest.

I have only heard it once: as I said before, it might take a few hearings to judge.

3 hours ago, jmhopton said:

The close ups of Whitehead's expressions didn't do him any great favours.

Interesting....I thought something similar about Avis...I wonder if some performers exaggerate expressions so as to make sure they project to the far reaches of the auditorium, which then look too much for filmed close-up...

14 hours ago, aliceinwoolfland said:

^ thats really interesting as I found it technically fantastic but thought Lamb lacked Osipova’s sensual passion - it almost felt a little held back. She is a gorgeous dancer though! 

 

In terms of favourites, I love Hayward, Naghdi, Takada and Osipova (I feel that Takada is a bit underrated) and I also really like Stix Brunell, Campbell and Muntagirov. 

That would be more or less my current list - I would add Hay....also Whitehead in terms of character principals. And yes I agree about Takada....

2 hours ago, aliceinwoolfland said:

Haha I think Henry would make a great walk on role!

 

Every time I see Manon I’m blown away by the music. There are so many shades of light and dark in there. (And as a clarinetist it’s wonderful to hear so much woodwind )

Yes the music is wonderful. Each time I hear it I pick up on another lovely theme I hadn't really clocked before. Well done Martin Yates and the whole orchestra ! 🙂.

24 minutes ago, Fiz said:

I do enjoy the insight chats we are given. I thought Darcy - I think it was Darcy - was very perceptive when she told Beatrix S.B. to mask her intentions before she pushed Kaneko otherwise it would be too obvious that they knew what was about to happen.

Yes the pre-recorded pieces were good, it was the live comments and interviews that seemed a bit below par this time IMO.

(Cinema viewing).

Like some others, if I am reading correctly,  I thought Lamb and Muntagirov progressed throughout, from a rather  underwhelming Act 1,  to a more convincing Act 2 and a suitably powerful and emotional Act 3, where they really gave it all they had, and a bit more.

Similarly  I thought Hirano  looked a bit out of his comfort zone at the start but that he got back into it later. I enjoyed his drunken dance, albeit perhaps he went a bit over the top, and I also really enjoyed Mendizabel's dancing and characterisation. 

The camera shots did manage to lose some of the overall  effect by concentrating on extreme close ups at the expense of the broader scenes. It's always going to be slightly annoying when someone else chooses what they think you should be looking at, out of (at times) a whole  bunch of action across the stage.

I'm not sure I needed Ore and Darcey's take on the ballet  during the interval, for this production.

Finally, though,  I think we have a new  RB star - Henry the Hoover. I was disappointed he didn't actually  make it on the stage for Act 3 as there did seem to be a lot of cleaning up needed in the dock area. Surely it it's not  too late to fit him in as a divertissement?  - perhaps pulled around by Lescaut  as part of his drunken scene....

 with thanks to AO.com

17 hours ago, JohnS said:

I can't help but feel how disappointing it is that Francesca is not cast as Mary Vetsera in the Autumn Mayerling. 

I have only seen a DVD of Mayerling and I'm not yet quite sure what to make of it. It all seems pretty bleak and desperate from the outset,  with pdds based on aggression, lust, madness, and hysteria  rather than expressions of  beauty, sensuality and  romance. Plus I wasn't initially engaged by the score (although I know it often takes several hearings to get into unfamiliar music).

I expect I will go, probably  for Watson, Osipova, McNally, Lamb, Hayward, Nunez,  Campbell,  Saunders and Avis - how often do we get 9 principals all together in the same performance ! -but I am not expecting it to overtake Manon in my list of favourites.   

Re. Hayward's casting , it seems to be a choice between being thrown around by Rudolf as Princess Stephanie, and surviving, or being thrown around by Rudolf as Mary Vetsera, for a bit longer - and then getting shot.   

9 hours ago, JohnS said:

I look forward immensely to Francesca et als last performance this run but before that the cinema relay and I’ve managed to get a ticket for the Akane Takada, Alexander Campbell, James Hay performance on Saturday having missed out last Saturday with emergency plumbing problems.  I’ve very much taken RichardLH’s and Sim’s exhortations to grab a ticket. 

I am very pleased you got a ticket for Takada/Campbell but in making my exhortation I didn't realise you were also cramming in Hayward/Bonelli twice more, as well as the cinema !  I hope you find the extra trip worth it and I  will look forward very much to your review aftert the 5th.

3 hours ago, RuthE said:

 

Campbell replaced McRae.  Bonelli replaced Watson...

Of course....sorry for the confusion !