MJW

19:30

As there is a streamed Insight this evening, and performances start next Tuesday (looking forward to that!) I thought I might start a new thread in anticipation. Link to this evening's Insight - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWR0nw2uIN0

https://www.roh.org.uk/tickets-and-events/40/mayerling-by-kenneth-macmillan/cast-list/51306 Cast sheet up for tonight - glad to see James Hay is back (I was more concerned really for next week’s Nutcracker!)

Extract from the Friends' magazine with details of ticket prices, dates etc etc

That's a shame. Hope you find find something. It would be great if you could be notified of seats becoming available for a particular day/performance rather than having to keep checking the website!

My problem is that my local station (Guildford) is on the main Portsmouth Line, but during strike days SWT only serve on the South West Main Line (Waterloo to Weymouth) and my nearest stop would be Woking. Public transport connections between Woking and Guildford (other the train) aren't great and I then have to travel from Guildford southwards. All a bit painful and (potentially) hit-and-miss!

There are some now showing on the website.

I suppose the problem in this instance is that the strikes are for 48 hrs so if you travelled the day before, you may be stuck for three nights before being able to travel back.

That’s a bug***. I can get to the Nutcracker but may have to cancel the RB class 🤬

Waiting with trepidation- I am also booked for the 6th and 16th - don’t really want to have to stay in London overnight!

Such a glorious smile !

Just got back home after this afternoon's matinee. I think other than Hinkis and Acri as Downstar mentioned avove, this was the same cast as for Wednesday's cinema screening and ir was great to see everything from a different perspective and knowing what was coming. Act 1 again was excellent (I do really like Qualia which surprises me as McGregor tends to leave me cold). I preferred O'Sullivan and Campbell in Fille om Wednesday but given they are principals perhaps that's to be expected. Act 2 was (as before the weakest) and I tried really hard to like/understand Dispatch Duet. I think I found it easier a second time though the music is awful (I hadn't realised the orchestra were playing it live and I thought from the screening it was recorded). A better soundtrack would make it so much better. Still didn't understand See Us!! but other fairly indifferent to it. Concerto is light but unmemorable - Steven McCrae dressed like he had just got out of bed. For Four (Act 1) is more accomplished than Prima (Act 2) but it is nonetheless very enjoyable. No improvement seeing the costumes live! At to end it all a smashing performance of Diamonds (I was somewhat put off the cinema screening seeing so much sweat from Reese Clarke poor chap!). A very mixed collection of works but very well put together and thoroughly enjoyable - more of this please !

I did have a bit of a chuckle at some of the prices in the invitation to book I had through the post - £6k was mentioned. Unfortunately I have put mine in the recycling bin now but I think that included a "suggested donation". I wasn't planning to go to the gala anyway....!

James (Owen) Large was there as well.

Fingers crossed! I did the same for the Nutcracker last year and unfortunately James was indisposed; hopefully better luck this year.

From YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nDpamTCdv4&t=12s

I couldn't agree more with your comments regarding James Hay - where possible I always try to book his performances. I am seeing him on the 6th December in The Nutcracker and will try to see him Sleeping Beauty next year (as well as (hopefully) this coming Saturday).

Some terrific pictures just posted on ROH's Flickr (95 in total) - https://www.flickr.com/photos/royaloperahouse/albums/72177720303760904

Back from the cinema screening (and the rain) which I went to with a friend for her birthday (thankfully she enjoyed it!). I was slightly apprehensive about some of the new works but overall I thought was excellent and actually the mixture of established and new works worked really well. I even quite liked "See Us!!" Melissa Hamilton and Lukas Brændsrød were really quite something and probably not quite what a lot of the fairly "mature" audience were probably expecting! Such a beautiful partnership with Marianell and Reece who were clearly thoroughly enjoying themselves. For Four was terrific as was Prima - such enthusiasm from everyone. Zucchetti clearly is very talented and I hope the RB continue to nuture him. The only downside was Dispatch Duet was I am afraid was risible - not helped at all by the music which was shocking. I am sure that piece had the least positive reaction and cause quite a few titters in the audience with me. Anyway I know what to expect on Saturday! Interesting to see what casting will be for Saturday matinee.

Generally speaking I would agree with you - particularly the skew towards new works. However you never know you might enjoy them. I've been surprised by liking newer works more than I thought I would (though whether I would book to see them again is another matter!) I have the advantage of going to the cinema screening tomorrow and then the matinee on Saturday (so I least know what to expect!)

I hadn't noticed that bit! I've RSVP'd to go and I'll see how I feel closer to the date.

Correct

Not quite sure what to make of their costumes - they might look a little better "live"

I’m booked for the Royal Ballet in class on stage on 16 December ( which is also a perfect excuse not to go to my employer’s Christmas do!) and have just received an invitation for Friends drinks do afterwards.

Don't think South Western are affected (they are my "local" train company so thankfully haven't been affected by the train drivers' strikes)