Richard LH

I was just wondering if anyone can help me about the factors that tend to influence the choice of the casting of principals, and what this means for their workload. I have noticed, for example, that Francesca Hayward is only doing 6 performances between February and June (2 each in Giselle, Winter's Tale, and Manon, including 1 only for schools) whereas Marianela Nunez has about 15 performances over this period. There may be specific reasons (suitability for a role being one !) and no doubt Francesca also has various other outside commitments (I know she has done a couple of short films), but otherwise, is it generally the case, for example, that the younger principals need to be nutured rather more, rather than being over-worked too early? On a slightly different point, the RB is very good at telling us cast principals in advance (and any changes thereto) - does the ENB do the same, and if so how long before the performance?

WT sounds to be going down very well, by all accounts, and it has some great cast line-ups. It was diificult to choose which cast to go for ( Kaneko, Bonelli, Takada, Campbell and Heap sounds fantastic) but I'm looking forward very much to to seeing Calvert, Hirano, Hayward, Hay and Morera tonight !

For me, it was accidental - I had only been able to get tickets for Saturday until a last minute return became available for Friday, which would have been my first choice. Accurate recollection of two back-to-back performances does cause me a bit of confusion, and I doubt I would do the same again through choice! Yes, there were some interesting differences to note (which other posters have described very well) but for me, the positive aspect of the double experience (being new to Giselle) was reinforcement of the similar elements - second time around, the musical themes (which repeat brilliantly throughout) were more familiar, and being able to anticipate some of the action helped me to get more into the emotion of the story on Saturday. Thinking back, common aspects of the two debuts are now giving me recurring goosebumps... Francesca and Yasmine beautifully skipping out of the cottage, to applause, into their new roles... Giselle throwing back her necklace when she learns the truth....time standing still, for the the whole company, with Giselle static, head in her hands...Berthe pushing Albrecht away as she cradles her dying daughter...Myrtha's first unwordly bourrée across the full width of the stage.....the Wilis' strange, progressive sequences of hopping arabesques back and forth... the Wilis huddling together and then parting to suddenly reveal Giselle raised up as a lonely veiled spirit...Albrecht unalbe to catch Giselle's spirit as she drifts past him...Myrtha and the Wilis cowed by Giselle, in front of Albrecht, in the form of a cross....the Wilis (26, I believe) all prostrate in honouring Myrtha...Giselle floating across the stage in Albrecht's arms...dropping flowers into his hands..... Giselle's final parting and descent into her grave.. Oh and just the way ballet dancers can move their arms so expressively, and emotively, with such slow control at times.... All just so poignant, so beautiful, and so fantastically danced and acted by the whole company.

Another 5 star review .... https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2018/feb/12/giselle-review-francesca-hayward-ballerina-royal-opera-house-london-choreography Deserved praise in here as well for Mayara Magri's fantastic Myrtha.

That's great to hear. Well done !

That just sucks. So sorry for you.

I read that review - I didn't see the Schools performance, but on Friday Alexander Campbell was great, so either he dramatically improved in a few days , or the Schools reviewer was being rather unfair. He definitely conveyed the emotion, and dancing technique, for me, and looks a great partner for Francesca. This Telegraph reviewer agrees (and gives suitably effusive praise for Francesca along the way) ! A five star review... http://www.telegraph.co.uk/dance/what-to-see/francesca-hayward-ravishing-giselle-royal-opera-house-review/ Mark Monahan Giselle Telegraph.docx

Thank you ! I am rather a latecomer to ballet but have found particular inspiration in the brilliant talent coming through in the RB recently, and looking forward to seeing Winters Tale, Manon and hopefully Swan Lake this season, as well as Sleeping Beauty at the ENB. I hope to learn and appreciate more about this beautiful art form as a result !

Very happy to confirm that both debuts were marvellous and emotional events. Francesca was indeed like a feather, or more appropriately an ethereal spirit in Act 2. Thank you for everyone on here that has expressed the wonder and the techniques of these performances much better than I can. Finally, another word for the Corps in Act 2 who were just perfect .....