MJW

This afternoon was my third and final Nutcracker of the current run (and third trip to London in five days). I've been very lucky to have seen three lovely Sugar Plum/Prince pairings (Hayward/Cambell. Naghdi/Ball and Kaneko/Bracewell) and some excellent Nutcrackers (Rovero, Ikarashi and Nakao)  and lovely Claras (Tsembenhoi, Pantuso and Allnatt).

Not to mention Gary Avis (twice) who is the perfect Drosselmeyer, and wonderful supporting dancers. Clearly there have been a considerable number of cast changes (not least James Hay) but hopefully they will all be back fighting fit for Manon in January (or later in the run).

This afternoon’s cast sheet 

https://www.roh.org.uk/tickets-and-events/43/the-nutcracker-by-peter-wright/cast-list/54528

The House seems extra busy today!

6 hours ago, oncnp said:

 

I sent an enthusiastic e-mail to customer services (they probably had apoplexy) after the stream and received this response. So perhaps they will do more

 

We were so happy with the event! Your kind words have already been shared around the house.

That’s good news - nice that your comments have been appreciated 

Lovely performances last night and thoroughly enjoyable (I am in the last throws of a cold so was very pleased not to have had a coughing fit last night!). 

I don't often see Yasmine Naghdi live so great to see her - such a professional.

Shame that James Hay wasn't performing but Daichi Ikarashi was pretty impressive and as others have said Viola Pantuso was lovely. 

Glad to see Harris Bell and that (unlike some others) didn't seem to struggle in the Arabian.

First of three trips to London in a week (bit mad).

From last night: https://www.instagram.com/p/C1Esy_xIxnL/

37 minutes ago, alison said:

Another new Arabian couple?  And was someone saying they hadn't spotted Lara Turk recently?

 

BTW, I thought Tara-Brigitte Bhavnani had retired?  Was I wrong, or is she guesting?

Looking forward to seeing Harris Bell in the Arabian

On 15/12/2023 at 00:22, oncnp said:

Something new....

The Royal Ballet: Live in Class (roh.org.uk)

 

This live stream will begin at 10.30am (GMT) and finish at 11.45am (GMT). The footage will be available for three months exclusively for subscribers to Royal Opera House Stream.

 

THE ROYAL BALLET: LIVE IN CLASS

18 DECEMBER 2023 5.30AM

From The Royal Ballet studios to wherever you are – watch our dancers prepare for the day with a livestream of their morning class.

Interesting...I wonder if this becomes a regular thing. 

6 hours ago, alison said:

Absolutely.  I have been able to make it go away on occasions - when I remember - by concentrating hard, as I mentioned above, though.

Unfortunately yes. I'm asthmatic so and quite sensitive to dry air/perfumes etc. I always have a water bottle with me and tend to take some mints with me to suck just to keep my throat from drying out. 

1 minute ago, Sim said:

Sad to confirm that James Hay is out of all his scheduled Nut shows due to injury, not illness.  However, he is working very hard to ensure that his Lescaut performances go ahead.  He really doesn't want to miss them....and neither do I !  Keeping everything crossed for him.  

I'm sure we are all wishing him well.

A lovely prelude to the new run of the Nutcracker and how lucky to see Gary Avis (the perfect Drosselmeyer) and Francesca Hayward and Alex Campbell (can't remember the last time I saw him on stage).

Marianna Tsembenhoi was a charming Clara and Giacomo Rovero a very handsome Nutcracker. Best of luck to them for their first main performances.

When with a friend who hasn't been to Covent Garden to years and she very much enjoyed. Certainly more fun than being at work (!)

45 minutes ago, alison said:

 

I don't think it ever is, is it?

I thought Von Rothbart and Benno castings were announced, but perhaps not.

Is casting for other roles for Swan Lake released well in advance of the performances starting? I can't remember from last time.

Booking for Friends+ is on Thursday and thus far we Odette/Odile and Siegfried. 

6 hours ago, alison said:

 

Yes, I was concerned when he didn't appear in The Dante Project  

 

Thank you, Dawnstar, for putting that all together.

Hopefully he will be back for Manon and the first tranche of Swan Lake

2 hours ago, Sim said:

And what a shame for James Hay.  We see him little enough as it is. 

 

He was the main reason I booked to go twice in the week before Christmas

52 minutes ago, Emeralds said:

See amid the Winter's Snow: 

The weather forecast tells me there will be sleet and a few flurries of snow in Leeds tonight, which seems apt on the opening night of Northern Ballet's 2023 run of David Nixon's production of The Nutcracker at Leeds Grand Theatre! (Sadly, no visit to the south with Nutcracker by the company this year.) Looking forward to reading members' reactions, thoughts and reviews of this year's performances. I don't have casting information yet, but hopefully the website will be updated very soon. Toi toi toi to the company! 🎄 🎶 🎁 

Cast details (for part anyway)  - 

https://northernballet.com/the-nutcracker/casts

54 minutes ago, Emeralds said:

I couldn't help wondering if £8,800 was really going to be enough to replace the flood-damaged costumes and sets. Thought they would need more than that! I donated again despite having already donated a couple of months ago- very satisfying to see the final amount being doubled by the Big Give. Every little helps! 

True but perhaps the danger of setting too big a figure (and possibly unachievable) is that it might put people off? Anyway they have raised £9172 today which is pretty good. Let's hope that continues over the next six days.

9 minutes ago, Jan McNulty said:

 

Which was surprisingly modest.  I am very thrilled for them that the target has been exceeded on the first day.  Let's hope people continue to donate regardless.

 

BRB are well on the way towards their target too.

It was - and although it had met the target by the time I got home from work, I donated anyway.

Pleased to see that Northern Ballet has met its matched target.

4 hours ago, AnneMarriott said:

Can I tentatively add Marguerite and Armand to the list of stylistically outdated?  Even if I am alone in my opinion it surely counts as a ballet that has aged badly on the grounds of giving offence to wig-makers.

True! But I think they have got rid of the hideous wigs now (certainly for the supporting men). Same applies to the men in the Nutcracker and Kolia's wig in A month in the Country (whose wig seemed to have been inspired by Worzel Gummidge)

6 minutes ago, Emeralds said:

Anyone going to their final day of performances at Norwich today? Amber Lewis and rising superstar Harris Beattie dance Beauty and Beast at the matinee, while Sarah Chun and Antoni Cañellas Artigues are Beauty and Beast in the evening.

 

I was exceptionally impressed by the company at the Linbury Theatre in their triple bill, and would have liked to see them in this ballet, but my train fares to Norwich would have been double the cost of the ballet ticket and the train fare to Newcastle triple....which doesn't seem right somehow (especially with random cancellations and strike action hanging over my head). I'd rather donate the £60 or £130 to Northern Ballet than to spend it on the privilege of shivering on cold platforms.

 

Hopefully members living nearer Norwich might be able to get there with more ease (and less ££)- looks like a fabulous show.

Whilst I didn't see them live at the Linbury (and am kicking myself about that), I did see them on World Ballet Day and will try and catch them when they are at Sadlers Wells next year. As you say, the journey to Norwich is unfortunately prohibitive otherwise I would have tried to see Beauty and the Beast.

From what I have seen Harris Beattie is certainly one to watch.

1 hour ago, LinMM said:

Tomas Mock is leaving the RB I believe his last performance will be in Dante 

I saw him on Friday at the general rehearsal in the downstairs cafe - I thought how nice to see him, not having been on stage for some time

https://www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/gabrielle-chanel-fashion-manifesto

Visited the Chanel exhibition at the V&A today. As someone who isn't that interested in fashion (but is a Friend of the V&A) I thought I ought to go. Beautifully curated - though very busy even on a Monday - its well worth going.  Be warned its the V&A's best selling exhibition so tickets may be at a premium!

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cz3tWgxIJgs/?img_index=1

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cz3tqlCon2T/?img_index=1

54 minutes ago, JohnS said:

Enjoyed the General Rehearsal and looking forward to tomorrow’s opening night (same cast). I’m sure tonight’s final Don Q will provide a very welcome contrast.

Glad you enjoyed it. I'm afraid I found it rather a struggle (especially compared to Woolf Works which was astonishing). Still, we can't like everything and it will save me having to buy a full priced ticket!

As I’m at the general rehearsal I thought I might as well start a thread for the forthcoming run.

This afternoon was the first time I have seen Osipova live in a three-ballet (I've  seen her Raymonda Act III and Symphony in C). Clearly she had a lot of vocal support in the audience and (as with @MildConcern above) I preferred that with Bracewell and Keneko, it was certainly a fun afternoon and glad I managed to grab a late ticket Monday lunchtime.

From this afternoon - 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CzhBSInIgwZ/

2 hours ago, alison said:

Well, I hope those who are going will report back for those of us who haven't been able to get an affordable ticket

As Kevin O’Hare is sitting a few seats away from me perhaps I should ask him about pricing at the next interval!