MJW

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)

Some rehearsal pictures up - https://www.flickr.com/photos/royaloperahouse/albums/72177720303567056

Prima looked quite interesting from what I saw from the rehearsal on World Ballet Day. Not sure about the other piece as I haven’t got that far on the catch-up yet!

The Yes Minister episode "The Middle Class Rip-Off" is also very apt !

I was thinking about this episode of Yes Prime Minister at work today and seems fairly apt - nothing changes ! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMBd7ecD2Q8

Some interesting comments from Rupert Christiansen in The Spectator https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/arts-council-england-and-the-war-on-opera/ (this is usually behind a paywall but I was able to access it)

Details just in for Cinderella and the second tranche of The Sleeping Beauty https://media.wordfly.com/roh/ballet-bp3-casting-2223-as-at-31-10-22.pdf?utm_source=wordfly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2022_Nov_Friends_Enews_04&utm_content=version_A&emailsource=64073

Is this an invitation for all Friends as I haven't received anything (yet!)?

Hurrah!

The 2009 version with Edward Watson and Mara Galeazzi is now being streamed on the ROH's new streaming site. Should be quite interesting as this was made before I started watching ballet so I won't have seen quite a lot of the cast before.

I tend to try for the Grand Tier - not too high or far away from the stage and one is less likely to have an interrupted view if not sitting at the front. I'm in B-31 for the class in December.