MJW

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.

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

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/

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

Having sat there for Woolf Works, at least he has a smashing view.

I can't think of something less likely to aid a cause than this. Who on hearing the news would suddenly be converted and join the "cause". The same applies to those who damaged the Wellington Arch with paint or who threw powder over one the exhibits at the National History Museum. I hope the fines cover the cost of repair and clean (and then multiply by 10).

I always walk from Waterloo anyway (not so much fun in the rain of course!)

Hopefully so; I was in London a fortnight ago at St James Palace and there were quite a lot of people with flags about. I understand there was a sit-in at Waterloo that day but thankfully missed that

Managed to grab a ticket for Saturday’s matinee. One of the few times I will have seen Osipova live. Hopefully the planned demonstrations don’t cause an issue travelling on Saturday

I saw Andy Monaghan (twice) when I went to Will's first performance in October - once in Bow Street and the second time in the main foyer. I don't know whether he goes to all of Will's performances. Very sweet if he does.

I live on the Surrey/Sussex border so at times I have been (very) lucky to have got from Covent Garden to home within an hour and a half (usually by having to run to Waterloo). Usually however a finish after 10pm will mean I am not home until 12:30 which is too late for work the next day, hence I usually only go to evening performances on a Friday or Saturday. A 7pm start therefore would be ideal. Its the reason I much prefer matinees.

First night cast photos by Alastair Muir - https://photos.alastairmuir.com/Ballet/Royal-Ballet/Anemoi-23/i-gkvm6FP https://photos.alastairmuir.com/Ballet/Royal-Ballet/The-Cellist-23/

A couple of videos from Friday's opening night - (unfortunately I managed to miss Lauren Cuthbertson on stage alone at the end of the performance). Anemoi - https://www.instagram.com/p/CyqkOXwI27t/ The Cellist - https://www.instagram.com/p/CyqBa3DIbQO/ 24hrs after the event I am still in two minds; I like both works (though the constant scene changes in The Cellist (although cleverly done) are very distracting). I think a third "contemporary" work in the middle would have been a considerable improvement. Two hours was too short for an evening - though I managed to get home by 11:15. Unfortunately given the recent discussion about ticket prices and discounts I kept thinking "and how much did you pay for your ticket..?" - not that I would have had the effrontery to ask.

Not convinced ROH has learnt its lesson on prices!

I wasn't overly keen on The Cellist when I saw it in 2020, but am going again this evening and it will be interesting to see if my feelings about it changed. I was impressed with Anemoi when I saw it live during its first run.

Quite - not the most convincing of responses. To quote from Yes Minister "...that's a load of meaningless drivel. Isn't it?" I see "diversity" is mentioned twice, so that's two ticks.

Just been watching this Insights on YouTube - fascinating to hear what goes on behind the scenes for scoring rehearsals for both opera (Susanna Stranders) and the lovely Kate Shipway for the Royal Ballet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5--sBriFFLw&t=3248s Do try and watch.

From this afternoon - apologies for the initial wonkiness. https://www.instagram.com/p/CyY1IlaIT3x/

And camp perfection from James Hay

It does rather beggar belief - very heavy discounting should surely be the last resort. I am sure that 20/25% discount on certain areas to Friends and those on distribution lists would have helped to shift sales.

Well they've managed not to perform Medusa (which I quite liked) or the Unknown Soldier again! I have no issue with the Dante Project, Anemoi or The Cellist being performed again, just not quite so soon after their first performances, nor all in the same season.

It's quite hard to see the logic behind the programming of the Dante Project and the Anemoi/The Cellist. Whilst there are only a few ballets that could be certain to sell well (Nutcracker and Swan Lake for example), given these three pieces were performed relatively recently, why not programme works that haven't been (for whatever reason). Whist there would be no guarantee of widespread appeal, they would at least have the advantage of novelty value. Personally, a re-run of the Asphodel Meadows/Two Pigeons double bill from a few years back would be perfect. On a separate but related point, I'd be very interested to know what proportion of the audience are "regulars" (Friends or otherwise) and how many are new or infrequent visitors. Presumably the latter are higher proportion for something like the Nutcracker.