Esmeralda

11 hours ago, penelopesimpson said:

Please, does anyone know anything about Ed Watson?  He is not down to dance at all, winter or Spring.

10 hours ago, Saodan said:

 

 I suppose he could be in Infra as well, but that might be too soon.

 

 

 

I really don´t know about his injury either (and his SM accounts are quiet) but I have a little bit hope for Infra. In September there were  videos posted for the contemporary section of the Prix de Lausanne (where the candidates have to choose one contemporary variation for the contest). One of the videos was Watson dancing a variation from "Limen" (I think it was "Limen but not sure anymore). It wasn´t long (the duration of the variations are somewhere around 2 minutes) but well, he was dancing and not looking too bad.

I guess the video was recorded in summer (there were also videos from Chisato Katsura and Calvin Richardson and judging the haircut from the latter, his video was recorded somewhere in late July/August, so I assume Watsons video was around the same time. Okay this sounds a bit creepy - but well, almost anything to find out if Watson is fit to dance Mayerling, right😳).

It gave me hope for "Mayerling" and even if these hopes were crashed - Mayerling is definitely not Infra! So there is some hope for Infra from my side and even if not - he is at least up to dancing again...

I feel and think a little bit like Blossom (also not a Millenial but at the beginning of 30s😉😞 my first time was there last weekend after I read a lot of things - positive and negative. What I absolutely don´t like is the non - ticket and bag checking. The levels and direction advices are confusing and not always logical. The Shop is nice but the assortment is rather small (at least it was my feeling though this could be something currently, maybe they will stock the selection at a later time). I agree also with the people who complain about the lack of advertising and flyers and think that there should be an ticketoffice where you can buy tickets even on short notice.

What I do like is the space/room design. I am not sure about the carpet but maybe it is something easily to clean? (I do know nothing about it since I am the worst housewife ever). Loved the exhibitions and the hanging clothes (or whatever you call this) above the escalators with Richardson/Sissens from Yugen! Also liked the terrace and probably I am the only one who likes the Amphi Bar! The prices are high but this is London...

I had not the feeling neither on Friday nor on Saturday that the places and seats were mainly taken  by people who don´t visit the performances. Maybe the novelty is already fading away. What I did find absolutely great was the fact that you could find several dancers on both days there. Someone had an interview there, two others maybe a buisness meeting and most of them were just meeting and had some pre - performance fun and talks! Lovely! Especially that you could see how well the dancers get along with each other: younger and older ones, corps de ballet with soloists/principals etc...

Certainly there are a lot of things which aren´t perfect. It is also clear that things need some time to run smoothly, but things like safety and ticket checks aren´t such a strange concept for a theatre, so it a little bit weird that there is none of it. I am curious to see how things will work out and what we will think about it in a year.

32 minutes ago, Fonty said:

 

You mean they had turned up on the wrong day? 😲

Yes! They actually had tickets for tomorrow (?)...Definitely the Bonelli cast. This is why I realized the mistake, thought at first they were on the wrong side or something like a computer error and booking twice. But then they talked about Bonelli and I looked at the date. Well, lucky for them their tickets weren´t for a date already in the past....They seemed generally a little bit confused to be honest not only because of the new ROH...

My ticket wasn´t checked either last weekend - not on Friday and also not on Saturday. "Funny" enough: my friend, who walked on Friday right behind me got stopped and had to show his ticket. I hope, it had nothing to do with his several piercings in his face or his visible tattoo on his neck and his all in black clothing...*cough cough*. Weird, isn´t it?

Also we had to ask an older couple to give us our seats "back", who definitely had not to show their tickets too - they had the right seats, but wrong performance...

8 hours ago, ninamargaret said:

P!ease, please let's have Campbell as Mercutio!. After his superb Lescaut it would be well worth seeing.

If Campbell isn´t cast as Mercutio after he got overlooked as Romeo then I do...Okay, I have no idea what I do then but I would be very frustrated and even more disappointed as I already am. Let´s hope that we will know in advance in which cast he will be dancing if he is getting cast as Mercutio.

And now I will think about who I also want to see as Mercutio...

6 minutes ago, miriskusnik said:

I read the discussion in this thread about audience confusion over the plot/characters a few days ago - I've overheard all manner of bewildered comments at Mayerling before, but what I heard last night was a new one.  During the first interval, a woman near me was patiently explaining to the person she brought that Rudolf was gay (!).  "Didn't you see him kissing all those men?" she asked.  I assume she was referring to the Hungarian officers!

Wow, thats a new one🤣. Apparently the four officers weren´t really threatening last night, haha!

There are some nice castings however I am also disappointed with a few choices. Well, at least I can get save some money! So sad that Campbell didn´t get a chance as Romeo, it was the first time I saw him at BRB and it would have been lovely to see him again. Naghdi/Ball I will see at the cinema, but will probably book Stix - Brunell/Bracewell and O`Sullivan/Sambe - quite happy for all of them! Nunez/Clarke could also be interesting.... Had some hope for Takada/Ella too, but like I said, will save me money. Also thought about to give Hallberg a chance if I like him more with Osipova but I am already occupied on their dates, so easy decision.

It will be interesting to see who is getting cast as Mercutio.

About Frankenstein: thought for a moment about booking for Frankenstein because of Bonelli/Morera...but no. I need stronger arguments  for this (and I am afraid there aren´t any really).

Glad that McNally/Sambe are dancing again their roles in Flight Pattern. Hopefully this goes for most of the rest of the cast too! Will probably see both cast from Within the Golden Hour. Also interesting to see that Osipova is already cast for the new Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui but no second cast. Do we already know more about this piece?

So much how Corrales is featured I already predict him promoted to Principal at the end of the season. Or maybe even earlier. Well...

1 hour ago, JennyTaylor said:

I've seen Thiago dance this role on many occasions now and he's always been the one who makes me feel sorry for Rudolf.  Last night was no exception and I felt it even more in his interpretation right from the start. Perhaps this is a result of seeing different Rudolf's very recently so there was a very definite contrast. That's what so marvellous about this ballet of course, each Rudolf gives us something completely different.

So, little things like - more emphasis on his need / love for his mother even in their first interactions and not so horrid to Stephanie in the brothel scenes.

 

Lauren Cuthbertson was superb as Mary and together they produced great theatre. They certainly had chemistry!  I felt Mary was much more in charge than Rudolf at the end and that felt right with the interpretation he had given.

 

Itziar also shone as Larisch - and how I wished we could see even more of those 4 Hungarian officers. They really went for it last night! 

 

  

I wished I could have seen Soares and Cuthbertson but occasionally I have to work unfortunately but I gladly read all the fantastic reviews. And I agree with you how interesting it is to see all the different interpretations of Rudolphs. It is a fascinating thing to watch how every dancer works with this character! Soares reading of Rudolph sound very interesting!

Who were the 4 Officers last night?

33 minutes ago, Rob S said:

 

Rather! I did spot some interesting moves when I momentarily looked away from Princess Stephanie’s disapproving face 😂

This...sounds interesting😂. The Corps de Ballet at RB (and not only them, a lot of the dancers at RB) are really great to make their own scenes. And some of them are so good that you could almost forget to watch the "main attraction", the actual ballet scene.

Has anyone here already tried out the Live at Lunch series? I wanted to try it last friday but my flight was delayed and I arrived later.

On Friday, 2 November the Royal Ballet will be in their daily class.

https://www.roh.org.uk/events/c5g97

I will probably still be there at this time - how are these events embraced by the audience? Are there many people and you need to be there early to see something?

1 hour ago, alison said:

 

That reminds me, I was hunting around on the ROH website for the cinecast cast sheet, but couldn't find it anywhere.  Or any sign of an electronic programme, if such still exist?

I did a quick search before I went to bed last night because I wanted to print it for myself but I didn´t find anything. Thought it was because of my tired and really patient mind that I didn´t find the programme, but maybe ROH canceled it? Apologies to my cinema then! Would be a great shame if they wouldn´t produce an electronic programme anymore. Such a mess...

With the cinema release in my cinema yesterday in the evening it was the third Mayerling in 48 hours - never again ! It made me slightly depressive and on the other side a little bit aggressive. Too much negative feelings and not much to laugh in this short time but at least I could enjoy great dancing in all three performances!

I liked McRaes Rudoplh much more better as in the last run! He made it more real and and not so snarling. Wonderful to see Lamb again, I can´t decide if I like her better as Larisch or Vetsera because she gives both very different characters so much deepness and uniqueness. James Hay was wonderful as Bratfisch, very thoughtful and wonderful dancing. Liked him much better than Tristan Dyer on Saturday. It was so wonderful to see Morera on the stage again, can´t wait for her turn with Bonelli!

Mayara Magri was stunning as Mitzi Caspar also it was lovely to see her dance with the 4 Hungarian Officers after the rehearsal video - it is always so interesting to see the improvement and small changes between rehearsal and real performance (by the way I noticed there is  asnippet from this dance on the RB facebook page) . As a group I liked the 4 Officers from yesterday the most with their dynamic and interacting.

I have to agree that there were - again - some not so great camera choices. I thought it was lovely to see Darcey Bussel and Ore Oduba to comment also from the new ROH but one interval would have been enough because it is always nice to see the dancers going to/away from the stage during the intervals. Interesting interview with Deborah MacMillan and also great film with Leanne Benjamin and Lamb/McRae. Could have done without the McRae rehabilitation snippet but I am bad with hearing and seeing pics from injuries...Unfortunaley due to technical issues my cinema could not show completely the first film from the first interval with the backstage scenes.

There were no casting or infosheets handed out at my cinema (they did it the last seasons) because apparantly there were no one asking for it (obviously I am no one because I always asked for them, but thank you!) Not only the ROH is bad with their service to the customer...

On the other hand there didn´t see to much confusion about the story and who is who except from the couple in front of me for the question if Vetsera is danced by Lamb because Lamb is blonde and Vetsera not. Helpful hints by me about the wonderful concept of wigs were definitely not appreciated, lol. They decided it wasn´t Lamb, well, because Vetsera is brunette. At the end when the cast was listed: "Oh it was Lamb indeed! She probably coloured her hair!" Huh???

Now I am waiting happily for the 30th October with Bonelli and Morera!

8 hours ago, capybara said:

The 'soloists' seem to know but the 4 lead couples do not and it could well remain as 'The Company' on the website.

 

However, Yasmine Naghdi danced the 4th Movement at the Spring Gala and my guess is that she will be cast for that on at least a couple of the nights when she is not in Unknown Soldier.

 

And do we know the soloists (like official somewhere on a page etc.)  or do you have some not official news?

7 hours ago, Xandra Newman said:

Really surprised there is no Symphony in C nor Infra casting news at all.

Who is in charge of keeping the casting on the ROH website up-to-date? It's really annoying.

 

And no news on who and what re.Wednesday's La Bayadere Insight event? 

All very frustrating to say the least!

 

 

 

 

 

It is really annoying. Especially if you need/want to fly out from Germany and maybe need to book some hotels etc...In the last seasons it was at least always updated who got which role, so even when you didn´t know which cast on which date you had at least a general idea if you wanted to see probably many casts or if one performance at an ideal date would be enough...

20 hours ago, MissMonk said:

I didn't quite get the Hungarian officers. I saw the cinema relay and i found them very disrespectful. Isn't that their prince? Should they really be literally pushing and pulling him around? They seemed very hostile for even being friends. (this is a comment on the characters not the dancing which was wonderful)

Well, they were maybe also Rudolphs friends but first of all they had a greater goal in mind (which they had in common with Rudolph). And since Rudolph is very occupied with other things in this ballett (all the women, drugs, his death wishes etc.) they probably thought he needed a few strong reminders of this. He was an important ally to them and they needed to keep him on track. I guess sometimes their patience wasn´t really the best!

24 minutes ago, Richard LH said:

That's climate change for you...

But shouldn´t it be the other way then...?🤔

By the way, does anyone know who will dance the 4 Hungarian Officers in the Ball cast? Some others than yesterday?

On 19/10/2018 at 12:44, alison said:

I hadn't even looked at the prices!  However, from Sim's photos it does look as though there is a rusty reddish colour which might suit my colouring a bit better.

The prices are eye - watering. But the rusty red is a wonderful colour, unfortunately it looks completely weird with the red of my hair. But I think there are only a few pieces in this rusty red (or at least in the shop there were only a few pieces with this colour). A jumpsuit and long sleeve I think. Since the others colours don´t suit me either I "only" bought the principal bag - it will be a nice christmas present for myself under the tree, since I needed a new bag anyway.

When I first learned that Watson couldn´t dance I thought I would cancel my bookings for the performance and hotel etc. But a friend of mine, who wanted to go with me, never saw Mayerling live and insisted anyway. And I am so glad she did! I was so worried after the underwhelming reviews here but maybe sometimes it is better, if you don´t expect too much. Hirano was a fantastic Rudolph, not only in his various pdds with the women but also in his interpretation of this role. How he unfolded his different emotions throughout the performance and how he deeloped the character was very fascinating to watc. Also his dance technique was really great, so so assured and confident. Still sad I didn´t see Watson but Hirano was more than a fantastic replacement.

Big applause also to the fantastic women in this cast no matter if it was Osipova, Hayward or Lamb and to Campbell for his interpretation of Bratfisch. It was such a great cast and  the whole dynamic was so enjoyable.

Now waiting for Ball in the evening. I expect a lot after the reviews here and after the performance from yesterday. Never had 2 Mayerlings in 24 hours so we will see how this will go...

7 hours ago, Beryl H said:

I have to smile sometimes when I hear audience comments, especially about the 4 Hungarians

Now I am curious - I want to smile too😊.

Have not seen Mayerling in cinema yet this season because it will be shown in my cinema on Sunday evening so I can´t say anything about the infos which are given to the cinema audience...But I have to say it also depends on the cinema. In one cinema in my city there are no infos available even when they charge a higher price for the tickets than the other cinema who is showing RB!

Mayerling is special because it is complicated and with a lot of important roles. And I think there is the biggest danger of confusion, not to know who is who. I have no idea which cinema performance it was and if it was even a ballet performance, but once I saw a performance where they showed profile pictures of every role before every Act. Maybe this would already help a little bit.

When "Romeo & Juliet" and "Onegin" from Stuttgart were shown this summer there were no infosheets available - I hope this is because it was from Stuttgart and not because my cinema stopped to hand the infos out...At R&J there were little summaries on the screen before some scenes but as far as I remember not so in Onegin. I would guess that the latter is not so well known than R&J but maybe they thought Onegin is more self explanatory.

About the "Who died?" question: well, at Romeo & Juliet someone asked me after the death of Juliet, if they had died both in this performance...

Well, it seems with all the great Ballet in these days I will give all my summer vacation/money in London watching one ballet/ballet company one after the other. Guess there are worse ways for vacation and money to spend😃

10 minutes ago, alison said:

 

Wasn't Heap in class on World Ballet Day?  Or is the op of more recent date?

 

I am not completely sure if I have seen her on the World Ballet day, but her OP was around this day, maybe one or two days later. Unfortunately she posted this in her IG stories which disappear after 24 hours, so I can´t say the date exactly.

12 hours ago, capybara said:

Moreover, there is still no casting for Infra or Symphony in C. Putting The Company is a cop out and is discouraging multiple bookings. A message to the regulars?

 

 

Completely agree, Capybara! And we don´t even get a small hint who could be eventual casts, because the profiles of the dancers on the ROH page aren´t updated. The only infos we get is about some principal roles.

1 hour ago, Josephine said:

 

I did receive ROH email notification of Ed Watson's replacement by Ryoichi Hirano, and Ryoichi Hirano's replacement by Matthew Ball.

 

Perhaps they are doing this for 'central' principal roles only, as I received no email to confirm Tierney Heap's replacement by Lara Turk as Empress Elisabeth. Tierney Heap is still listed on the website to dance this role in forthcoming performances (perhaps she will?).

 

 

I also got an email notification about the replacements of Watson and Hirano, but maybe they only do it with e - tickets? But I think it has more to do with your second theory. I doubt that Tierney Heap will dance this role in this run, because she had an OP on her foot according to her IG account. As far as I know she is still not back at training, at least I interpret her posts like this.

I want to thank you already to all of you for your reviews, they are all making the waiting for "my" performances easier...I am still sad that I will not see Watson live in this and do not want to think about if there will be a chance once more but I am completely excited to see how Hirano will tackle this role. Also  decided to see Ball in his second performance so two new Rudolphs for me in this run instead of none! Try to see the positive!

Though I have to say I am a bit surprised that there aren´t so many reviews. I am also interested about comments about the whole cast and who were casted in the minor roles like Princess Louise, the four hungarian Officers etc. The profiles of the dancers aren´t really useful, they only contain major roles, which is a pity!

6 hours ago, Rob S said:

From last night

 

A great night, I was expecting Tierny Heap as Empress Elizabeth (listed as being her debut in the role) but it turned out to be Lara Turk

 

According to her IG account she is injured and had a small OP ( hopefully this is not against the forum rules).

2 hours ago, capybara said:

It’s only the first interval but MATTHEW BALL - wow, just WOW.

Sounds promising! To be honest I was a little bit suprised when I saw that Ball got so soon cast in this role, but this is (ballet)- life...Can not wait for more opinions about his performance.

6 hours ago, greypuss said:

Incidentally for anyone interested in Mayara Magri there is a video clip on the ROH facebook page of a rehearsal from Act 2 of Mayerling.

 

Thank you for your hint! Loved the video, it is also one of my favourites dances in Mayerling. Magri as Mitzi Caspar was one reason why I thought long about it if I should really book for Bonelli but thought "my" Rudolph was more important so I will only see her in this in cinema...But also the four officers, Sambe, Clarke, Richardson and Mock are looking great!

Funny enough: thanks to the video I noticed that I have absolutely no idea what the fourth officer is doing during the swing forth and back...I think I watched Mayerling at least 10 times but the fourth guy is at the moment a mystery to me...

1 hour ago, Jan McNulty said:

Some details in The Stage of what is coming up at the Linbury:

 

https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2018/royal-opera-house-unveils-first-season-redesigned-linbury-theatre/

 

No dates though.

One of the "works" is apparently called "New work new music" and it is from 6 - 9 February 2019. It comprises 5 world premieres and it will contain also choreographys by the royal dancer  Kristen McNally and Calvin Richardson... Definitely I will catch tickets for this event!

https://www.roh.org.uk/productions/new-work-new-music-by-various

Will have to wait until October to see the "new" house but I am excited. It looks all very  promising. Though I liked the old theatre and it´s hidden presence I think it could attract more new and young people to Ballet and Opera - and this would be great!

On 18/09/2018 at 08:59, Odyssey said:

I am struck by how little support there is for Hamilton. Why is no one interested in seeing her Juluet?

I wouldn´t completely write her off because she was a wonderful Manon, absolutely incredible and moving. However my decision to see her as Juliet would not only depend on her partner - agree that he needs to be passionate - but also which other dancers are casted. Like I said I would love to see some debuts from the younger dancers and would prefer them over Hamilton actually.

On 18/09/2018 at 09:40, Jamesrhblack said:

 

Did anybody see Hamilton during her principal sojourn in Dresden? My understanding is that she took the position to get the opportunities that were not coming her way in the classics at the Royal Ballet and I note that on her return she has this season been taken out of The Nutcracker, the only “classic” in which she had been cast at principal level here.

 I have seen her in Dresden in Swan Lake and La Bayadere (unfortunately not in Sleeping Beauty). In Dresden she was definitely a star and always a pleasure to watch in the classical roles. But sadly, as much as I like the Dresden Company - Dresden is not London and the Company not The Royal Ballet. The concurrence at RB is so strong and I would definitely see other dancers above her in the classical roles, not only from the pricipals and first soloists but also soloists. I just see her at RB more suited to McGregor and MacMillan...

Regarding the Hallberg/Osipovatopic....well, it would be a chance to see them together and to see if Hallberg convinces me. But a little bit like Hamilton it depends on how who else will debuting from the Juliets and Romeos. My bank account unfortunately has borders and if there are other attractive options, well...

Definitely happy for "The bright stream" since I have never seen it live and I will also like to watch Spartacus. The rest I will give a miss...I am not the biggest fan of their Swan Lake and well I have my problems with their La Bayadere . Would have loved if they had presented Esmeralda, obviously but I guess it will save some money for other ballet events!

I am really interested to see the casting for R&J this spring (though I have to confess, I would also really love it when we would learn more about castings in the fall and winter season, haha). Agree with all of you that you don´t need necessarily to be young to dance the role young. However I would love to see a few debuts from the younger ones this time, Takada definitely, but also maybe Kaneko, Magri. Or even O´ Sullivan. For the men, well Bracewell, Sambe, Clarke. Maybe Richardson.

Personally I found Cuthbertson and Lamb dancing too mature the last time (which doesn´t mean that their dancing wasn´t fantastic, personally I just missed the youthful joy and innocence).