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MJW

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Posts posted by MJW

    Ashton's Cinderella - new Royal Ballet production

    in Ballet / Dance news & information

    Posted

    1 hour ago, alison said:

    So, basically it seems that the roh can't win: we previously had complaints because friends weren't being offered discounts where other groups were, and now that they are, that's not right either 😀

     

    But some Friends have been offered the discount (I have) and others haven't...! If all Friends had received it (regardless of whether they had booked for Cinderella or not, or regardless of dates booked) it would have been fine.

    • Like 3

    Ashton's Cinderella - new Royal Ballet production

    in Ballet / Dance news & information

    Posted

    40 minutes ago, Scheherezade said:
    I wrote to the Friends team about not receiving the offer and this is their reply, most of which duplicates, I think, their standard response to any matter that is raised with them and none of which has any relevance whatsoever to my question as to why some Friends received the offer but others didn’t. (I have cut the extremely lengthy recital if the actual offer details) to minimise the boredom quotient:
     
    Thank you for your email. 
    I would just like to start off by thanking you for your support over many years, It’s the passion and commitment of people like yourself that makes the Royal Opera House such a special and unique place. You, our audience, are at the heart of all we do, whether it’s a traditional stage performance, our backstage work, online streams, in cinemas or in our communities.   
    Unfortunately, the challenges facing the ROH and the wider theatre industry have not gone away with the relaxing of Covid restrictions. Indeed, a new set of challenges have presented themselves; with recent Arts' Council cuts (which in real-terms has been reduced by 19%), the cost of living crisis (a threefold increase in energy costs from £1.5m per annum to more than £6m in this year alone) and as we recover from the closures of the past few years, every donation made and ticket sold is more important than ever in order to continue presenting a varied programme of world class ballet and opera
    The offer you heard about is part of a specially-targeted initiative to attract selected audiences to the Royal Opera House for specific performances only. We have previously carried out an offer for an opera too and previous ballets. They are time-limited and restrictive in date and time and a very different proposition to the flexibility of early booking offered to Friends.
    Please find the details of the offer and feel free to use the code to book extra tickets if you wish to do so…
     
    I can assure you that we will always keep prices, and what we offer our Friends and loyal supporters, under constant review.
    Thank you again for your loyal support as a Friend. 


     

     

    As you say, their response doesn't answer the question at all. It rather begs the question who the "selected audiences" are!

    • Like 2

    Woolf Works - Royal Ballet March 2023

    in Performances seen & general discussions

    Posted

    16 hours ago, MJW said:

    I’m writing this having managed to get from Covent Garden to sitting on my train from Waterloo within ten minutes!

     

    Another magnificent performance of Woolf Works tonight with a superb cast. Special shoutouts to Harris Bell and Marco Masciari.

     

    Last time I was in the stalls circle and tonight I was bang in the centre front row of the GT. Its very interesting how different each part looks from different parts of the auditorium. Becomings was as mad but magnificent as ever; I now, I then moved me less than before but Tuesday was beautiful and made so much more sense to me than before!

     

    Poor timing but I have a meeting with my new boss tomorrow so hopefully I will have managed to get some sleep from a late night back. 

     

    Looking forward to Cinderella rehearsal on Friday.

     

    From last night - 

     

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CqF-nLSoUmD/

    • Like 2
    • Thanks 1

    Woolf Works - Royal Ballet March 2023

    in Performances seen & general discussions

    Posted

    I’m writing this having managed to get from Covent Garden to sitting on my train from Waterloo within ten minutes!

     

    Another magnificent performance of Woolf Works tonight with a superb cast. Special shoutouts to Harris Bell and Marco Masciari.

     

    Last time I was in the stalls circle and tonight I was bang in the centre front row of the GT. Its very interesting how different each part looks from different parts of the auditorium. Becomings was as mad but magnificent as ever; I now, I then moved me less than before but Tuesday was beautiful and made so much more sense to me than before!

     

    Poor timing but I have a meeting with my new boss tomorrow so hopefully I will have managed to get some sleep from a late night back. 

     

    Looking forward to Cinderella rehearsal on Friday.

    • Like 6

    New ROH website - 2019 and 2022 versions

    in Performances seen & general discussions

    Posted

    3 hours ago, Odyssey said:

    The Dancers of the Royal Ballet section on the ROH website featuring biographies of RB dancers had been unavailable for several months. Just recently, information about Principals & Principal Character Artists has appeared while the other ranks remain unavailable - presumably while they are being updated.  The new version contains just one photo of the dancer, where there used to be a lovely portfolio of pictures you could scroll through depicting most of the roles the dancer had performed in and occasionally rehearsal or portrait photos. There is no listing of current season appearances,  and roles danced and created are all together in a single paragraph. 
    I would have assumed any new page design would be an improvement not the diminished, rather paltry and unimaginative result we now have in place. 

     

    Its a pretty poor show frankly - the new website has been up and running for some while now and I find it hard to believe it can take that long to update the profiles of the non-principal dancers

    • Like 4

    London travel tips for ballet lovers

    in Ballet / Dance news & information

    Posted

    30 minutes ago, oncnp said:

    My vote is for the Victoria and Albert Museum (South Kensington/ District, Circle or Picadilly line and follow the crowd). Everything from painting to furniture to fashion and ceramics. Do not miss the cafeteria with the William Morris designs. 

     

    And there may be a ballet costume or two on display in the Theatre Dept. 

     

    I was going to suggest the V&A as well - I've been four times in the past year and only covered around half the galleries! The cafe is excellent as well and not too busy during the week. South Ken is a very nice area and the V&A is a very short wall from the tube station.

     

    I would also recommend the Courtauld https://courtauld.ac.uk/ - plus its just a short walk from Covent Garden.

    • Like 2

    Woolf Works - Royal Ballet March 2023

    in Performances seen & general discussions

    Posted

    This afternoon was my first ever Woolf Works; first a confession in that I am not a fan of McGregor's works but having been so impressed with Qualia as part of the Diamond Celebration last year, I thought I ought to go. Unfortunately I wasn't able to make the general due to illness but am so glad I was able to go this afternoon -

     

    An incredibly moving I now, I then with the Calvin Richardson and Joseph Sissens leaving me in tears (good job its dark in the auditorium!). A quite astonishing Becomings - I don't think I'e seen anything quite like that on stage before and finally the beautiful Tuesday.

     

    I'm very tempted to try for next Saturday but will have to see how the strike plays out but am soooo glad I saw this.

     

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CpqM6Q8IH-_/ 

    • Like 11

    ROH pricing survey

    in Ballet / Dance news & information

    Posted · Edited by MJW

    Just had another Friends' survey which I've just completed - 

     

    We love hearing from our Friends and really value your feedback. Therefore, we have put together what we hope is the most comprehensive membership survey yet, to help us find out what you think about being a Friend and how you use your membership.

    We recently asked you to take part in another survey and appreciate that two surveys in a few weeks is a big ask. As a thank you for completing this one as well, we are delighted to offer you some exclusive prizes. Winners will be selected at random, so if you would like to enter the draw please supply your email address when prompted. Your survey answers, however, will remain completely anonymous. 

    The prizes are:

    • Two Stalls Circle rehearsal tickets to the 2023/24 Season rehearsal of your choice, followed by a private tour and an afternoon tea.
    • A pair of pointe shoes signed by Marianela Nuñez.
    • Two champagne vouchers for the performance of your choice.
    • Six bundles of Friends’ merchandise and other goodies from our shop.
    • Thanks 1
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