MJW

1 hour ago, Bluebird said:

Tried to paste link but didn’t work. Sorry!

 

https://www.brb.org.uk/downloadable-castsheets

 

edit: success!

Thanks for this! You’d think Sadlers Wells would have a link at the very least. I’ll know for next month when I see Northern Ballet

47 minutes ago, LinMM said:

I’m finding it difficult keeping up with new joiners in both BRB and ENB! 

As I don’t follow BRB I don’t have a clue about the cast at all! Where are the cast sheets in the SW website?

4 hours ago, Dawnstar said:

This is rather confusing to read. I was able to take curtain call photos on Wednesday without being stopped, as was the woman sat next to me (I was using a compact camera, she was using a phone), and as I was sat front row stalls I was hardly inconspicuous. Then I posted the same photos on Twitter yesterday that I'd posted on here tagging in BRB & they have "liked" my posts.

Interesting....I'll see what happens Saturday afternoon!

1 hour ago, Dawnstar said:

I'm very hacked off at the latest strike dates as I was planning to see Winter's Tale on 7th May, which I now definitely won't be able to get to, and Swan Lake on 9th May, which might now be problematic. I suppose I'll have to see that Winter's Tale cast on 13th May instead but I can't reschedule SL as on the other date that cast are performing I have no trains due to engineering. (I'm also worrying because with there being strikes on similar dates in April & May if it's the same in June then that'll be just when Sarasota Ballet is visiting the ROH & if I can't get to their performances that I have booked I will be extremely upset.)

Ditto. I have rebooked for the following Monday.

Hopefully my Thursday visit to see Swan Lake will be fine (overtime ban) and that I can to London and back home (I don't really want to spend a night in London).

2 hours ago, Sim said:

I hope it helped!  It sure worked for me, Wednesday and today!  

That was best performance of Swan Lake I've seen. It's a work that usually leaves me rather cold emotionally - looks and sounds marvelous but no more than that. 

I think the combination of an emotionally draining week at work and sitting so close to the stage (Row H in the Stalls) resulted in real connection for me. Everything gelled; terrific performances from everyone, beautiful music and a storyline that (really for the first time for me) made complete sense throughout. I'm afraid it left me in a bit of a state at the end, but perhaps that isn't such a bad thing.

From my IG from this afternoon -

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5_crjlIwVT/

https://www.roh.org.uk/tickets-and-events/43/swan-lake-by-liam-scarlett/cast-list/54728

Cast sheet for this afternoon’s performance. Frankly after the week I’ve had at work, I really need this!

Lots of comments wishing James a speedy recovery on his IG feed from early this morning - shows how highly appreciated he is

2 minutes ago, Richard LH said:

Has anyone else just received this? It is more comprehensive than the standard "how do you feel?" questionnaire, as it includes opportunities to comment rather than just answering multiple choice questions. Worth doing, I would suggest, for any Friend who wants to give positive or negative feedback on the sort of issues oft discussed on BCF!

Yes - I received mine Friday. It will be interesting to see if any changes result.

7 hours ago, Tango Dancer said:

Northern Ballet have now updated their website for the 3 Short Ballets mixed programme to say that the third ballet is a new piece (as yet unnamed) by Kristen McNally from RB.  She will be working with 2 NB dancers and a disabled dancer Joe Powell-Main.  

 

So I think that will be a really interesting programme, two new pieces by choreographers I really like (Mthuthuzeli November and Kristen McNally) and something older to some of my favourite music.  I am loving the variety of these NB mixed programmes. 

I've recently become a Patron so despite living in Surrey will try and make every effort to support - I am planning to go up there for the September run.

Had the very good fortune last night to be sitting next to a lovely lady down from Manchester (her husband was sitting elsewhere). Her son was in his last year at RBS and was performing in Different Drummer as one of the characters in a gas mask. She was clearly very proud of what her son had already achieved - he had played Fritz previously in the Nutcracker, and was in Manon and will be Swan Lake as well. Such hard work and sheer commitment required from someone so young was very impressive and she was justly proud. Please to say he has a job offer to start in August so that must be a welcome relief.

I said I would say hello if we happened to catch each other at the Summer Performance in July. 😆

8 minutes ago, alison said:

Presumably still on the top prices only?

After quick random check on the seating plan - looks like it only applies to the 27th (which is the date I was going on anyway) and applies to the £110 and £104 price bands.

15 minutes ago, MJW said:

I saw ROH were advertising the 40% discount for the Macmillan triple on IG earlier today. I've never done so before, but I cancelled my existing ticket in the balcony for one in the grand tier and saved myself about £40.

I should just add that £40 will inevitably be spent on an extra ticket for something else in the future!

I saw ROH were advertising the 40% discount for the Macmillan triple on IG earlier today. I've never done so before, but I cancelled my existing ticket in the balcony for one in the grand tier and saved myself about £40.

Based on the above positive comments, I've booked to see BRB at Sadlers Wells next month.

These are some great behind the scenes shots - 

https://www.rsc.org.uk/northern-ballet-romeo-and-juliet/behind-the-scenes

2 hours ago, Jan McNulty said:

Long-time followers have been waiting and hoping for a revival of this magnificent production of Romeo and Juliet devised and produced by Christopher Gable and choreographed by Massimo Moricone and first performed in Bath in 1991.  I was talking to someone who was there in the premiere week and I and other friends saw it in Blackpool in its second week.

 

This production proved to be a landmark for Northern Ballet where Christopher Gable laid out his stall for the way he wanted to take the company the company and the company still follows his dream to this day as carried forward and expanded by Stefano Giannetti, David Nixon and now Federico Bonnelli.

 

I don't know how many performances I saw over the years before the production was rested but from the first performance I saw on a Saturday afternoon in Blackpool (24th February 1991) I have never failed to be moved and I have seen so many memorable performances.  It is my favourite production of Romeo and Juliet.  When I saw the season announcement I was ridiculously over-excited as were most of my NB-watching friends.  As the months past and the opening day was approaching I was so excited but somehow nervous that, with this production meaning so much to me, I may be disappointed in the revival.

 

So Friday evening came and went entered the Grand in Leeds in a state of high excitement!  I was fortunate to have been invited to the drinks reception before hand and was very star-struck by the presence of Mthuthuzeli November.  It was so lovely to chat to him for a few minutes.

 

At the reception Federico Bonelli gave a short but beautiful speech about what this production meant to him and about how Christopher had envisioned the production.

 

It was also lovely to bump into both Jayne Regan Pink and Viki Westall-Eyre in the interval.  What a trip down memory lane.

 

Then we were in the auditorium, the lights went down and the overture started.  When the curtain rose I've got to admit to being a bit overwhelmed and tears started making their way down my cheeks - that is how much the revival of this landmark production means.

 

The set has been magnificently realised (after having been destroyed by floods some years ago.  Lez Brotherston's set is absolutely genius - aged Roman-looking pillars which can be moved to represent different locations with the words Amor Vincit Omia on the movable wall at the back.  The costumes looked absolutely glorious with the Capulet men's black leather tops and the ladies in black and red particularly spectacular.  Christopher explained at the time that he believed that audience concentration reduces after 35 to 40 minutes so the acts are kept shortish and simple.  There is no padding in this production and it flows along beautifully.  The fighting scenes are exciting to watch, the friendship between Romeo, Mercutio and Benvolio is beautifully judged and the relationships Juliet has with her parents, Paris and Romeo are meaningful and insightful.  The whole production flows organically.  Am I waxing over-lyrically - you bet I am!!!

 

Opening night honours were given to the sublime Dominique Larose and Joseph Taylor.  Joseph was full of joy at the start as a young man about town with his mates and enjoying taunting Tybalt and his Capulet henchmen.  Goodness me, Harry Skoupas was outstanding as a mean and moody Tybalt.  The fighting comes to an end when the Duke of Verona arrives and the body of a young girl killed during the fighting was found.  As the crowd disperses Mercutio (a spectacular and virtuosic performance by Aaron Kok - WOW!!) and Benvolio (a joyful and nuanced performance from Stefano Varalta (who is actually from Verona!)) try to persuade Romeo to crash the Capulet ball.

 

 

In the second scene Juliet is very excited to be going to her first "grown up" ball and is being very animated with her Nurse.  I felt as though I really was watching Juliet so subsumed was Dominique into the role.  Heather Lehan was a warm, comforting and joyful nurse so pleased for Juliet.  (Fortunately there is no child's doll in this production - it's all about a young girl coming of age.). Her mother arrives with Paris and Juliet is captivated by him when Lady Capulet (an outstanding performance from Abigail Prudames) tells her they are due to be married.  Jackson Dwyer was an elegant and caring Paris who is obviously hurt by Juliet's subsequent rejection of him.

 

 

The Capulets are very martial in the ballroom scene, showing off their power very effectively.  The 3 lads arrive and are trying to chat up the ladies when Juliet and her friends arrive.  There's so much to watch in the ballroom scene that you could actually miss Romeo and Juliet meeting!  Fortunately when they are interacting the scene behind them is frozen.  Their short duets are gentle and loving in this scene.  Mercutio and Benvolio have seen what has happened and they distract Tybalt.  Aaron was outstanding!

 

 

Then to the balcony duet ... it was so beautiful I had a bad attack of hay fever and shivers were running up and down my spine.  It is innocent, lyrical, sensual and passionate.

 

In act 2 the opening scene is festive with the Montagus in bright costumes dancing and having fun.  There's a wonderful but ribald scene where the nurse arrives to give Romeo the letter from Juliet.  When he eventually reads it he is so overjoyed and rushes off to meet Juliet and get married.  Then it's back to the festivities.  Tybalt and his henchmen and their ladies arrive and the trouble starts brewing during the "cat dance" - the Capulet motif is feline.  Romeo has arrived back and is being teased as he is acting all goofy and in love.  He tries to calm things down but as the tension rises and Mercutio intervenes there are fatal consequences as he is stabbed.  Cue the very dramatic fight between Romeo and Tybalt ending with Tybalt's death.  Abigail Prudames was splendidly grief-stricken as Lady C and the act ends on a VERY dramatic note.

 

Act 3 opens with the final duet - so full of emotion and despair.  Dominique and Joe were just breathtaking together (cue another hay fever attack).  Juliet's rejection and ultimate acceptance of Paris was heartbreaking and then it was just an emotionally draining conclusion.  I could hear people sobbing around me and I was definitely joining in!!

 

Of course there was a standing ovation - very well deserved.

 

After the main curtain calls the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh came onstage to applaud the company.  While he couldn't be "political" the Duke made a heartfelt speech about the company and particularly mentioned the orchestra.  It looked as though he and the Duchess looked as though they had obviously enjoyed the performance.

 

WHAT A NIGHT!!!

 

We had to do it all over again on Saturday!!

 

I will admit to a total bias here - I have adored watching Kevin Poeung dance since we saw him performing as a student with the company so Saturday afternoon was a dream come true for me.  Kevin more than lived up to my hopes as Romeo with his virtuoso dancing and utterly believable performance as Romeo.  I was totally bowled over!  His Juliet was Sarah Chun and she was just divine.  Archie Sherman was superb as Benvolio and that man Aaron Kok gave another outstanding performance as Mercutio.  Antoni Cañellas Artigues was a wonderfully thuggish Tybalt and Helen Bogatch was superb as a loving nurse.  George Liang as Paris was so loving, courteous and gentle that it would have been understandable if Juliet hadn't even noticed Romeo! After many attacks of hay fever I came out of the theatre on an enormous high.

 

 

 

On Saturday evening the Friday evening cast, already outstanding, upped their game even further and at times I was trying to cope with both hay fever attacks and forgetting to breathe!

 

To sum up, this year sees my 40th anniversary as a ballet-watcher and this past weekend has been so uplifting and emotional that I think I can count it as my best weekend of ballet-watching ever.  To be able to watch it in the company of good friends was the icing on the cake.

 

 

Thank you Northern Ballet.

 

 

 

PS - the campaign to save Northern Ballet's orchestra goes on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the terrific review (and pictures). Will you be seeing any of the other casts?

Looking forward to seeing this in London late May.

I've read everyone's comments with interest and the offering at Saturday's matinee was certainly a mixed bag.

On the plus side I enjoyed Rotunda (though perhaps a bit bland) and surprisingly I enjoyed Pam Tanaowitz's work (despite having thought her offering as part of the Diamond Celebration at ROH appalling). I could have done without the piano being moved across the stage which added nothing.

I can't say I was overly impressed with Duo Concertant - the dancers standing at the piano at the start was fine but didn't need to be repeated. I struggled with the Stravinsky. 

Lastly, Love Letter (on Shuffle). Parts of this worked really well but it was marred by the terrible costumes, lighting effects and the music accompaniment which I found painfully loud (the chap next to me put is headphones on at point). For some reason this work produced quite a lot of whoops and cheers (though perhaps they were reacting to the rugby score?)? It would be interesting to see this work again with better music and fewer lighting effects so one can actually see the dancers.

Anyway, that was my first visit to Sadler's Wells and the first time I have seen NYCB. Given I'm not likely to see them very often, I'm still glad I went.

Booked for the summer performance at ROH this morning (I'm an RBS Friend) - thankfully its on a Saturday this year, so transport hopefully won't be so much of an issue.

5 minutes ago, zxDaveM said:

 LOL

 

I think one of the main things they are looking out for is booze

And maybe picnics

Clearly they must have X-ray vision...

3 minutes ago, Sim said:

Interesting to read such varied opinions already!  I have to wait until Saturday matinee to see for myself.  

Ditto!   Not having ever seen  NYCB live or any of these works before, I'm keeping an open mind!

On 06/03/2024 at 13:29, MJW said:

I would certainly echo many of the comments above regarding last night's performance. Despite a long day at work and suffering from a mild cold (I managed not to have a coughing fit or sneeze throughout) I so glad I decided to go ahead last night (having booked for this performance some time ago); partly as James Hay was performing but also having seen Calvin Richardson perform the bedroom scene in the Diamond Celebration in 2022 and having thought I good he was.

 

So glad the run seems to have sold so well (without the need for discounting) and that so many people have enjoyed the performances.

 

From last night:

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/C4K6Affo9lK/

Just following up on my earlier post regarding Tuesday's performance:

1. Bag searches - I know these are a pain but necessary but the chap who was supposed to check my bag barely have me time to even unzip it before he waived me off. What's the point? If an eco-demonstrator manages to get in and spray paint or whatever, I wouldn't be surprised.

2. Having seen Gary Avis as Monsieur G.M. in my two previous performances in this run,  his not performing on Tuesday just showed what an excellent actor he is - the malevolence and arrogance of his character could be felt across the auditorium. I'm afraid Christopher Saunders came across more as an avuncular uncle.

There was a third point, but I can't remember what it was now...

p.s. apologies if this comes across as a very formal post with numbered points, but I am still in work mode 😆

I would certainly echo many of the comments above regarding last night's performance. Despite a long day at work and suffering from a mild cold (I managed not to have a coughing fit or sneeze throughout) I so glad I decided to go ahead last night (having booked for this performance some time ago); partly as James Hay was performing but also having seen Calvin Richardson perform the bedroom scene in the Diamond Celebration in 2022 and having thought I good he was.

So glad the run seems to have sold so well (without the need for discounting) and that so many people have enjoyed the performances.

From last night:

https://www.instagram.com/p/C4K6Affo9lK/

39 minutes ago, Fonty said:

 No I haven't, not yet.  I was hoping there would be an offer.  

In which case it makes no sense why you wouldn't receive the offer!

46 minutes ago, Fonty said:

  Where??   Is it with an agency?  I get emails from the ROH, and religiously fill in their surveys, but I haven't seen any cut price ticket offer.

 

 

Have you booked for the MacMillan triple? If so I suspect you won't get the offer. I have booked and didn't receive anything.

Website was a bit slow this morning but my firm has had an IT upgrade so that could have been the cause!

Went a bit mad and booked seven performances and have three in three days 🤪