Esmeralda

26 minutes ago, Angela said:

 

In many of the Spartacus costumes you will see the tattoo  - I should go just to hear the reactions of the audience at the Munich Nationaltheater when they recognize Putin on the breast of a slave in ancient Rome... 😨😱  Or will he tape it?

Now you gave me an idea, this would definitely be interesting🙊🙈

9 minutes ago, Sophoife said:

An ex-Australian Ballet dancer now in Berlin said they often ice as soon as they get off stage, then just whizz back into costume for the bows! 

Yes, hears it from a few dancers there too. Most dancers really love to get applause - it is so important like food to them. Also some dancers who will dance their entire life in the corps de ballet won´t have so many chances to get it like Soloists, principals etc...

Northstar, thank you for posting the photos - it is really a lovely production, one of my favourites! I am very happy that I can see it again on Christmas day (and next day La Bayadere - what a fantastic christmas it will be!).

On 30/11/2018 at 10:39, Waverley said:

Hi - can anyone let me know how popular/busy the Live at Lunch recitals are at ROH? 

 

We have bought tickets for the backstage tour at 2pm and would quite like to try and catch the lunchtime performance at 1pm before it but wondered if you need to turn up very early and queue for a while to guarantee a space? We will be flying in that morning so realistically wouldn't be able to make it to ROH until around 12.30 at the earliest. 

 

Many thanks. 

I was only once there on the 2. November where the RB company had a class. I arrived shortly after the beginning and didn´t really find a place to watch (though to be fair, I am something around 162 cm, so rather small). Maybe it depends on the performances but it can get definitely full!

Since I didn´t see anything I did something else but I think it was a lovely thing and had the feeling that there were also a lot of people who had never/or not much experience with ballet before (at least that was my impression from the whispering I heard when I wandered around for some space for me).

A small addition to Saodans post: Bracher reposted this on her own IG account too!

All good things come in threes...loved my third watching of the Triple bill, though I have to say watching TUS for the  third time was very tiring and I had the feeling it was longer than before (it wasn´t...). I am also afraid that I definitely did prefer O`Sullivan/Bracewell in this. If I had to watch it for a fourth time in this run I would probably appear later (and normally I don´t do that unless there is horrible music and I have already a migraine). I think the whole piece has potential but needs to be reworked (especially the staging when some parts of the audience even can´t see things going on the stage or in the videos etc....)

Infra is still my favourite in this triple and I loved to watch the cast for the third time. Probably could watch these fantastic dancers for the rest of my life. Pure perfection from every dancer in this!

Symphony in C was also wonderful, and I am glad that I got too see both casts. They were both fantastic, no matter if it was in the Corps, soloists or principals roles, though the Nunez cast was more homogenous to me (and a little bit more flawless...).

8 hours ago, LinMM said:

I did know about this because of her connection with another ex  Royal dancer ......so may be getting to know her quite well soon ....but can't say more as don't know if any of her future plans are in the public domain or not!  

 

 

4 hours ago, Clara_f said:

It is in the public domain on various Instagram accounts including camille's if that complies with forum rules? 

I`d say it is public because the posts about the new chapter in her life appeared on at least 2 different accounts with lots of followers, one of it was Ms. Brachers account...also it is a work matter, not a private thing (like getting a baby, wedding etc.). Unless there is a rule on the forum that when a dancer leaves the company life they are getting "private". Or maybe I can write the mods about it and they decide?

People who are following IG accounts of the RB dancers probably knew already about this (though not the exactly date, at least not me), but Camille Bracher will taking her final bow with the Royal Ballet tonight, confirmed by Marcelinho Sambe on his (new) bts account:

2 hours ago, capybara said:

And I found William Bracewell in particular extremely moving in The Unknown Soldier last night.

I second that! In combination with O`Sullivan it made me more moved trough the whole piece. They really seemed to be the couple, really young and innocent and completely in love. Curious to see if I can relive the emotions from yesterday with Naghdi/Ball again or if I prefer the second cast. Loved Sissens as the Telegraph boy though it made the choreography for him even more not fitting.

The second time I saw the first cast at Infra - and I loved it every minute of it! The whole cast was brilliant and Naghdi/Richardson were even better than last friday! And so glad that I will see them all again tonight!

Symphony in C - so much applause and so well deserved for every dancer! Yesterday it was just perfection in every role, no matter if I am talking about the corps, the solists or the principals. With dancers like this I loved to watch it a few more times even when it is not my absolute favourite!

1 hour ago, LinMM said:

Apologies to Esmeralda .....I

😢

 

No need to apologize!

11 hours ago, LinMM said:

Have got home too late to comment usefully further on the programme now except to say that when I got back to London flat where I stay on Tuesday I did check the cast list for Infra and as I thought Naghdi did not dance in this on Monday eve. 

I think it was Esmeralda who mentioned her as dancing with Richardson so I'm not sure who she meant in the end.

i think the three ladies with dark hair and pony tails were Beatrix Stix Brunell, Romany Padjak and Leticia Dias 

I thought the last big pas de deux was Dias.....did she dance with Sissens at one point? Not sure now...could have been Richardson but not sure he was dancing either!  I thought in fact it was with Ball she danced ....or perhaps Nicol Edmonds but sure it was Ball!! anyway it wasn't Naghdi in Infra .....unless of course there was a cast change I was not privy to but Naghdi has  such a strong projection that I'm pretty sure wouldn't have missed her! But if anyone else can remember this. Kaneko was also dancing but her hair wasn't in a pony tail.....I don't think anyway! I think the more  blonde haired  dancers were Meaghan Grace Hinkis and Camille Bracher. 

 

I wasn´t talking about the performance on Monday evening but the performance from Friday (where the first cast was dancing and definitely with Naghdi/Richardson), unfortunately I didn´t get the chance to see second cast.

I think you mean the post by  @Richmondhill

No ticket check for me either and no one wanted to look at my backpack (not last friday and also not yesterday, came both times straight from the airport). Though I got asked yesterday if there was anything in my bag that wasn´t appropriate for the ROH. At first I wanted to ask which things weren´t appropriate for the ROH (tons of fast fast food? stuffed animals for throwing on the stage?) but then I just explained my situation and then the usher said, these things would be okay - well, I am glad that pyjamas and a toothbrush don´t offend the ROH🤔😉

Finally I can write down some of my thoughts about yesterdays Triple bill...

I am not sure about the Unknown Soldier. I didn´t hate it but I wouldn´t also say it is a must seen...it was alright. I have no problem with it to see it again next week (especially with a new prinicpal cast) but it doesn´t need to be stage again after this run (which is a pity because there is gone a lot of money). A friend of mine said he absolutely didn´t like the corps scene and found only the pdds between Ted and Florence moving - for me it was completely the other way around. Not the individual destiny but to see how many young, anxious and proud men died, how many women lost their loved ones and didn´t even hear about what happened to them, how many desperate parents were waiting for news of mabe their only child...

Naghdi and Ball danced beautiful absolutely, but - there was something missing for me. Someone said like Prince and Princess but I don´t necessarily agree with this, but they weren´t also Romeo and Julie to me. More like from a vague dream, like a fantasy and not real people. I am curious to see if this will be different to O`sullivan and Bracewell.

I liked the music, but had my problems with the interviews and memories (though this was very moving for me!) and the scrim...Also it was quite a lot of  story for 30 minutes, maybe the story with more time to express it would have been better. The choreography was mostly nice though I found the choreography for the Telegraph boy very irritating - you could have thought that he would bring news about the end of the war! I was sad by the end but to be honest I am always quite moved by memories of the/a war so this doesn´t mean too much...

I have seen Infra only once and it was with the Original cast - I loved it then and I was very curious to see how I would react with this complete new cast for me. I have to say: I loved it even more! Maybe because I appreciate McGregor even more then at that time, maybe because the new cast made a little softer approach to the choreography, maybe because they made it completely to their own! It just worked and it was very fascinating to see how the different couples mastered the really challenging choreography. The whole thing moved me much more than the Unknown Soldier did. A special kudos to  Naghdi/Richardson, their final pdd was so brilliant and lovely, so caring and tender and so hopeful after the whole drama from the Unknown Soldier and Infra. And I am happy that I can see this fantastic cast two more times (though I really would have loved to see the second cast too!)

And then Symphony in C as the final Act! I am being honest, it is not my absolute favourite piece by Balanchine and I think it has some lenghts but lFriday night it was just fascinating and great! The Corps was superb, the Principals amazing on their own and also the smaller solos were fantastic danced! It smoothed out the not ideal beginning of the evening. And it showed how much talent is in the company through all the ranks, a real show -off! My second kudos goes especially to all the dancers (not only the principals) who appeared in two or even in all three pieces and presented how well they can adapt the very different styles!

All in all it was a wonderful evening and I am looking forward for the next two performances!

Really can´t wait for tonight! May I ask if at the Unknown soldier the second cast is the same group as the first cast (except for the Principals of course), just with different roles (at first night the Telegraph boy was Leo Dixon, I think, second cast it is Sissens)? Or are there more different dancers?

Also I noticed that there doesn´t seem to be a real second cast for Symphony in C, except for the Principal roles. The smaller solos are the same dancers aside from the dancers who got a promotion to a Principal solo in the second cast. They are replaced by someone new (except Hamilton who didnt get principal solo but also doesn´t appear in the second cast with a small solo - weird). Was it always like this?

With the Insight/rehearsal starting in a little bit more than 90 minutes do we know what or who we will see? Any infos would be appreciated!

Thank you already for your lovely reviews! So interesting to hear about the Unknown soldier, can´t wait to see it myself. From a friend I heard just now a mixed review about it, he absolutely loved Naghdi/Ball but didn´t find the "corps" scenes moving or impressive, something I haven´t read here. I am really curious now!

Will see the triple bill earlier than I thought, because I got a surprise ticket for Friday, hopefully I will arrive on time...I am afraid it will be the first Infra cast for three times now (on Friday it is again the opening cast in all three pieces right?) but from your reviews it doesn´t seem to be the worst thing to watch this Infra Cast more than once🙂.

30 minutes ago, Fonty said:

Also, does anyone know who the two dancers performing the White Couple will be/is likely to be in Les Patineurs? 

 

 

Claire Calvert told on her IG account that rehearsals for Les Patineurs and Winter Dreams would start this week (or better have started this week). Maybe we get a hint someday...

1 hour ago, Lizbie1 said:

I’m just grateful that Spartacus and the Bright Stream have survived.

This is exactly what I was thinking!

Thank you Richard! What an absolute fantastic cast for Symphony in C even for the smaller solos! Also lovely to see a little mix in the principal pairings. So excited for next week. There are more women in Unknown Soldier than I thought and interesting to see, that there are even more named roles and a little seperated group. I am curious how this will work out! Can´t wait for all the three pieces!

Nadya, I wish you all the best! Speak with the ballet teacher and explain her your problems, maybe she understands you better as you think at the moment! If she is not open minded and can´t help you - I know you will be sad, but don´t give up! Maybe there will be another opportunity, maybe now isn´t the perfect moment for you, but I am sure that someday you can and will do this! Amel, the woman I was talking about in my post, wanted to dance ballet since she was four years old, but she did have to wait for this chance until she was 25 years old. She is always super motivated and has so much fun and it is fantastic to see her progress. Good luck and please tell us, how it worked out!

Hello Nadya,

first of all I think it is great that you are thinking about ballet lessons - it is a wonderful thing, especially if you already like it from the "outside"!

Regarding the tolerance by teenage girls: well, I don´t think it is something which you can generalize. I am sure there are teenagers who are very open minded and then there will be teenagers who are maybe more intolerant. It is probably like at your normal school or at different clubs or associations you are visting. It is true that there are a lot of white girls (though not necessarily christian) out there in the ballet world, but I think also a ballet school reflects the area where you live. As an example I - occasionally - teach or have workshops at a school, which lies in an area, where a lot of different ethnicities are living. There are still a lot of white girls/women at this school, but also a lot of other people from all over the world, from Asia (South Korea, India, Phillipines), Caribean, Africa and also some from Egypt, Turkey and the Lebanese republic. It is a wonderful mix and since there are clashing so many cultures there is also a lot of open mindedness. The three girls/women from the last countries are also all Muslims (though they practice their faith differently strict). So maybe you wouldn´t be necessarily the first muslim girl at your school!

Regarding the clothing issue: like Alison already wrote, it is unfortunately important to see some lines so the teacher can see if you use the right muscles and technique. I had a friend at my balletgroup before my vocational school who started to dress up more and more in the ballet classes. At the end it was really difficult to see the body, it was all very "baggy" and very wide and the teacher couldn´t see anymore if she was doing something wrong.

But one of the women I was talking about is a good example for you (the other 2 aren´t as strict as the third one, they do not wear any hijabs and wear - long- sleeved and legged clothes, but very tight, so probably not comfortable for you). The young woman I mean wears above her (long sleeve) leotard a loose fitting shirt and has always a short and a skirt, which ends shortly above her knee. It covers her breasts and hips/bottom/lower belly more but the teachers still can see  lines and muscles. When she started ballett she actually wore a burkini and now her clothes have the same fitting. She wears during class not a classical hijab but a turban hijab so she has more free movement (meaning you can see her neck because the "scarf" is missing) - I am not sure if this is something for you or if this to open. Also I apologize if I use the wrong terminology.

Remember that you maybe need an extra layer for the way to/back from the dressing room/Studio, because even when your class is only women/girls (something to consider: not every ballet school has class only for the female gender) there might be partners/fathers/boyfriends from the other students waiting for them in the corridors.

1 hour ago, Vanartus said:

Re Berlin - you won’t be disappointed, but remember the Ratmansky production is a very different animal! *

 

*but there’s still a tiger too!

I am really excited for it by now since I saw the little video about the production which was posted here in the forum! Well, after rhe RB tiger I have no high expectations anymore regarding the animals, haha!

1 hour ago, Thalia said:

 

It was Calvin Richardson.

Thank you!

53 minutes ago, alison said:

Did Sambé get only the one show, then?  I must admit, I was surprised he'd appeared so far down the list of performances, but then he was busy in New York earlier, wasn't he?  To my mind, he was the best Bronze Idol of the ones I saw (although had you asked me to fantasy cast the role before the run began several of its occupants would never even have occurred to me!)

 

 

I guess, Sambe and Richardson changed the casts for the last performance so Sambe could fly to Portugal, so both of them danced two shows as Idol. Sambe was the only one I thought of in my fantasy casts and a maybe Luca Acri. Also I had Hay in my mind for the role. I was completely surprised by Campbell and Richardson (and to be honest I still can´t imagine the latter one as Idol)...Wish I had seen more than one Idol as Campbell, it would have been interesting.

Edit: Fantastic photos bangorballettboy, thanks!

Jan, I am so sorry to hear this!

My visit to the cinema was a little bit more successfull, though the screen was very dark (at some point even the Bronze Idol was hidden in the shadows) and I forgot my glasses so I definitely didn´t see any snake though I saw it at Openingnight...

Funny enough on the whole I liked the Opening night better - normally I have no problem to get the magic in the cinema but maybe because of the special buzz of the Opening night I didn´t get the feeling today- very sad! Though I liked Campbell better today...But I prefere Osipovas interpretation from the first night. Muntagirov was still a dream and with Nunez together an absolute wonder! The shades were absolutely beautiful and only very few minor unsteadinesses. The three shades variation were also wonderful though I have to say I missed the little sparkle from Choe, something Takada and Naghdi had.

I also would prefere if Darcey and the presenter whoever it is would stay backstage. It was nice for the interval at Mayerling with the new open up but now it is just distracting and missing a wonderful opportunity to see the dancers on their back to the dressingroom or to the stage etc...Apparently I missed the phone man (I am little  sad abot it to be honest, haha).

There was confusion about the destroyed temple by the audience etc, but no laughing about the tiger (surprisingly), also the programme at the cinema declared Gamzatti as a warrior too and some thought there would be 2 men fighting about Nikiya...

Overall I am glad that I got to see this cast again but on the other side also a little bit sad that I didn´t see any other casts - there were so many other interesting casts (and not only the the three leading dancers) and some lovely reviews about them and I have the feeling I missed something...Now I wait for La Bayadere in Berlin!

Since Sambe didn´t dance yesterday with his regular cast because he got a prize in Portugal may I ask who danced the Idol yesterday?

21 minutes ago, Sim said:

I am so confused....

You are not alone...

25 minutes ago, Saodan said:

I spy a cast change.

 

Paul Kay was initially listed as performing in the second cast, presumably reprising his role from the original run. It looks like he has been replaced by Dyer, who is now performing in both casts. 

Thanks, I already thought Kays name was a hallucination from my side...I thought I had spotted him when the first time the casting was up...

51 minutes ago, alison said:

Not sure any of the original cast are dancing, though?  So much for "Wayne always uses the same dancers".

According to McGregors page with all the infos about his pieces, no one from the original cast is dancing it. A few have retired but there are are some of the original cast who are still there and fit (Cuthbertson, Choe, Hamilton, Nunez, Hirano, Kay - and Watson, but probably still out because of injury).

1 hour ago, Fiz said:

That tiger reminds me of a large stuffed toy one I once saw in an expensive London toyshop. It had the same Disney-fied expression on its face. Presumably Solor was in danger of being licked to death by it.

The husband of my sister in law with whom I went at opening night and saw for the first time La Bayadere, whispered to me, when he saw the tiger:  I bet the tiger died just because of sickness and age and Solor found him already dead...