MJW

Will you be booking to see James in SB in May? I’m booked for the 11th

Given that would make him about the same as me, I would say that would be the perfect height! James is certainly similar in height to Alexander Campbell and Marcelino Sambe.

Unfortunately I'm not going to be able to attend the general rehearsal tomorrow. The above ticket is available if anyone wants it. Please DM me (I will be at work so my reply may be delayed). I don't require payment but if you want to give a donation to ROH in lieu of, please do. Matthew

Hope you enjoy the Saturday matinee - I am going as well and was lucky enough to see Fumi and William B in the general rehearsal in January.

From DancersDiary - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6_o0qpNS8M

Perhaps the suggestion is that queer bodies are different in some way (not in a strict anatomical sense obviously!)

I presume its reference to dancers who are gay (or bi etc) and whether there needs to be more reference to sexuality on stage.

This looks really interesting - hopefully it might be filmed or shown again (its being premiered today) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpFoeLTIHjL/

I'd certainly recommend going to see this if you can before it finishes (26th Feb). Have been meaning to go for ages and went to today before it was too late - some beautiful pieces of work. https://www.rct.uk/visit/the-queens-gallery-buckingham-palace https://www.instagram.com/p/CpDl2tgI6ou/

A lovely rehearsal with Anthony Dowell and William Bracewell by the Ashton Foundation from Daphnis and Chloe http://YouTube.com/watch?v=vW8TQsrnAUk

Yet more strikes announced - BBC News - "Members of the RMT union from 14 train operators will strike on 16, 18 and 30 March, and 1 April, the start of the Easter school holidays for many."

James Hay is an excellent Mercutio in it.

Thank you for taking the time to contact ROH and for updating us.

Just to forewarn you, I've had this message from the BM about next week - If you are planning to visit the Museum next week, I wanted to make you aware of the possibility that our ability to open the exhibitions and galleries may be affected by strike activity.The Museum’s Director, Hartwig Fischer, has issued a statement about how strike activity may affect our ability to open exhibitions and galleries between 13 and 19 February. You can read the full statement here.How will this impact me if I am planning to visit next week?We will be working very hard to try to open the Museum each day and to ensure that, wherever possible, we can maintain access to Hieroglyphs: unlocking ancient Egypt. We will need time in the morning to assess the impact of the strikes. We will then update our website by 11am daily with the latest information about what is open to Members and the public.What about the Member late night and early morning viewings of the Hieroglyphs exhibition?We have taken the difficult decision to cancel our late night and early morning viewings of the Hieroglyphs exhibition on 13 February and 18 February. This is to avoid last minute inconveniece and is not a decision taken lightly.We recognise that this uncertainty will be disappointing. As Members, your satisfaction is our first priority, and we are happy to speak with anyone whose enjoyment of their Membership is affected next week.Thank you again for your support of the Museum.

Managed to get round to seeing this exhibition today at the BM. It ends on the 19th Feb and if you can I would recommend it. I would however caution it can get quite crowded and I had to go back and forth to see exhibits when there were fewer people around them. The BM website link - https://www.britishmuseum.org/exhibitions/hieroglyphs-unlocking-ancient-egypt My photos - https://www.instagram.com/p/CoaN_xrIRUU/

I thought it was being streamed tonight but I can't see anything mentioned.

From the ROH's Flickr - "Secret Things" https://www.flickr.com/photos/royaloperahouse/albums/72177720305821114 Not quite sure what Brayden Gallucci is wearing !

Unfortunately it doesn't https://www.juliahansrausingtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/JHRT-Funding-Allocation-2021.pdf.

I don't think they do that much. Some companies advertise that they support Britain's Olympic team for example ("Proud supporters of...etc etc") but otherwise they seem pretty reticent in advertising their support for the arts etc. Unfortunately we don't have the tax breaks here in the UK that I understand the US does for charitable giving.

According to their charity's funding statement, the Rausings have given £3million over the past two years to the ROH.

I'm sure people do anyway, but I would urge anyone to report anything as mentioned above to ROH. If the management is not aware of rules being enforced properly etc etc, then the situation won't improve. With regard to young children, I can't see anything specific mentioned regarding "relaxed" rules for SB but the website states "Children age five and above are permitted into our auditoria. They must have their own ticket and sit next to an accompanying adult. Some events are open to families with children younger that five. This will be clearly stated on the production or event web page" I have a nephew and niece of 10 and 7 and would be very happy to take them to see something but I'm certain they would be bored after a while and unlike a DVD, a live production can't be paused to go and do something else half way through!

Just received a survey from the ROH in particularly regarding how seat prices affect decisions. Rather complicated 10 scenarios for different for five ballets. Rather disturbingly £200 for a seat was mentioned quite often. Hopefully responses will put paid to that !

Most of them are - but others (including last year's programme for the RBS summer performance was very poor). I have a whole pile of them at home and they are a nice memento of a visit. I usually keep a copy of the cast list with it.

Not that this is any excuse (and frankly people shouldn't need to be asked or reminded), but I can't recall the usual request for the audience to switch off their phones during the performance.

Several phones went off during today's general of The Barber of Seville (my first opera!). Friends and their guests not setting a very good example!