MJW

So many u-turns from the Government on this issue, it's really quite ridiculous. I have the upmost sympathy for anyone involved in running or working in an 'entertainment venue'. The Government is just making a pretty dire situation much worse.

For something that is supposed to start at the end of this month, the Government's proposals still seem very vague. Does legislation need to be passed in order to ensure enforcement/compliance? If so they are cutting it fine!

Hi - As Alison has mentioned they have had the requirement for ID for some time but I have never been asked for it - certainly not prior to the pandemic or on my visits since December last year, so you should be fine!

I think if you are in the first (or second) row of the Balcony but fairly central then you should be fine. Unlike the Grand Tier as you move away from the centre in the Balcony the rail etc starts to impede the view quite considerably. Personally I prefer the front two rows of either the Grand Tier or the Balcony as I can be sure of an unimpeded view. Having said that, in the many times I have sat in the Stalls I can't recall having much of a problem (and I speak as someone who isn't that tall).

Pleased to say that my booking went relatively smoothly today and so much easier than under the temporary arrangements. The website was very slow first thing and it wouldn't let me log in - wasn't sure whether the slowness was the ROH's website or my employer's internet connection! Have had the complication of trying to anticipate a possible (second( operation in the autumn so have left a big gap between R&J and Giselle and hopefully I can fit it in then!

Yes I do - thankfully they seem to have been discarded (or put down!). Awful things - reminds me of Johnny Deppy as Willy Wonka.

Regarding the comments about Voices of Spring you may find the Masterclass with Merle Park and Wayne Eagling organised by the Frederick Ashton Foundation quite interesting - link below https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo1A73hPC8U

In the (very short) run of the Nutcracker last December, certainly the men didn't wear wigs in the second act (I think the Cavalier did) and looked all the better for it.

Apologies if this has been posted elsewhere - rehearsal of Anemoi from the ROH's YouTube channel (I wasn't aware this was going to be screened!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNnkzJnRsG0

Very pleased for the Aud Jebsen dancers - let us hope that their second year runs more smoothly than their first!

I'm glad to see that everyone else who was a Wednesday's performance enjoyed it. Perhaps I wasn't looking forward to it as much as I should have been as I am not overly keen on divertissments but other than Morgen which rather left me cold, I enjoyed them all including the slightly bizarre woman with water (Mayara Magri certainly impressing). Reece Clarke and Beatriz Stix-Brunell made a lovely pairing in After the Rain and they certainly got the loudest applause). I'm not too sure what to make of Anemoi - I think the slower movements worked better for me - otherwise I felt it was sometimes too fast with too many dancers rushing on and off stage. Comparing it to say Concerto which although has a large cast, it is much better paced and certainly for me lasts longer in the memory. But perhaps that comparison is unfair given the choreographer! Sleeping Beauty seemed just a tad flat - I think the smaller cast really had an impact. Of the three performances I have seen I would say that the Apollo mixed was the most impressive, then the Sleeping Beauty mixed and lastly the Within the Golden Hour mixed (which apart from Within was a bit too dark for me).

According to an email just received from ROH - We are delighted to announce ballet casting for the Autumn performances of our 2021/2022 Season. Ballet casting and further details for this Season’s Beauty Mixed Programme will be available on our website later this week.

Absolutely - I do hope their partnership can continue despite Anna Rose's promotion. I think they are the dancers I see the most!

I was at Wednesday's performance too, and I would agree entirely with what Sim has said. I haven't seen the alternate casting so I can't really compare other than to say I found it considerably more enjoyable than the 21st Century Choreographers a couple of weeks ago. Hopefully the Sleeping Beauty Mixed Bill will enable the company to end the season on a high! I will certainly be watching the live stream on Friday!

Thank you for posting the link. Looking forward to it !

I have to wear glasses at work but thankfully don't have to wear a mask. However I do wear my glasses to the ballet as they sharpen the image for me - I purchased a wipe from my optician and it certainly seems to stop my glasses fogging up!

I don't recall seeing him - but given the masks it was quite a struggle to recognise some of the dancers.

To whet your appetite (showing both Matthew Ball (who I am seeing next week) and Vadim Muntagirov) in rehearsal for Apollo) https://www.flickr.com/photos/royaloperahouse/albums/72157719329186801 Incidentally I saw Matthew Ball in class on the main stage on Wednesday - very impressive - as indeed it must be said were all the dancers. Class was taken by Sian Murphy who was lovely and very amusing.

From the ROH's Flickr (not as good as Rob S's !) https://www.flickr.com/photos/royaloperahouse/albums/72157719274930622

I was in the Balcony for Wednesday's performance and a couple were asked to put their masks on (in his case it looked like his scarf) but by the interval they had taken them off again! Everyone else seemed masked-up from what I could see.

As you say, a rather downbeat review. Interestingly Rupert Christansen (the Telegraph's former Opera critic) reviewed the ENB yesterday, and I though that perhaps Monahan had moved on - perhaps to open a restaurant or cafe as he seems more interested in food and drink!

I had similar problems watching it - certainly at a higher resolution. I wish it had been broadcast on YouTube rather than the ROH's streaming service - particularly as it is free !

I have to agree - it seems a fairly half-hearted response to the issue.

Just received this - It was lovely to speak to so many of you last week and to hear how excited so many of you are to return to Covent Garden. We know that some of you were disappointed when you were unable to find a single ticket for your chosen performance(s). Although we had increased the number of single seats on sale (from November’s socially distanced seating plan), the demand far outstripped supply. We would like to reassure you that we have taken this feedback on board and have looked at how we can better manage the single ticket approach and how we can increase this allocation. We are therefore pleased to let you know that for the Spring/Summer 2021 programme we will be introducing Friday Singles. Every Friday at 1pm a strictly limited number of single seats will be released for each performance the following week. This new approach will start tomorrow, Friday 14 May, for performances during the week of Monday 17 May – Sunday 23 May inclusive and then every Friday at 1pm for the following Monday-Sunday until the end of the Spring/Summer programme. These tickets can only be booked by telephone through the Box Office on +44(0)20 7304 4000. They will not be available online or through the ROH Friends’ team. If you would like to take advantage of Friday singles then please telephone the Box Office at 1pm, the Friday before the performance(s) you wish to see, on +44(0)20 7304 4000. Tickets are strictly limited. We expect this offer to be very popular and to sell out very quickly. Our re-opening is in line with the latest UK Government guidance and we will continue to review and follow Government advice. You can now attend a performance in groups of up to six people or two households. You must practise physical distancing from other groups at all times. Seven of our main stage performances will also be available on ROHStream across the programme. We would like to thank all Friends and supporters for their patience in recent months, and we look forward to welcoming you all for the 2021/22 Season, our first full season in 18 months. We also look forward to returning to full capacity houses from September once COVID guidance allows.

I did the same thing! I don't really understand why the old system couldn't have been used and which shows all the seats available to select in a particular part of the auditorium. They could have simply blanked out those seats not available to book. Anyway let's hope normal booking resumes for the autumn!