MJW

8 minutes ago, Linnzi5 said:

I'd love to come and say hello. I have no idea where the Floral Hall is though.  I've googled to try and find out and am none the wiser! I'll be sitting in the stalls, can you give me a rough idea of where I need to go from there? I have no sense of direction at all, I'm embarrassed to say!!

When leaving the stalls go towards the main entrance and then up the carpeted stairs and the entrance is the first landing. Or go up the stairs in the cafe area and again its the first landing.

47 minutes ago, capybara said:

Vadim’s new book From Small Steps to Big Leaps includes some QR codes which lead to other spontaneous dancing from him, including clips poking fun at himself.

But, after his Mayerling last autumn, the sky would appear to be the limit where choreography made on him is concerned.

————————————————————

Back to the subject of this thread …… Rupert Christiansen again (in Links). Oh dear re Morera 😨 

Thanks for the link; very interesting read whilst sitting here in the V&A’s cafe 

Bit late in the day but some photos of Untitled 2023 from Alastair Muir

https://photos.alastairmuir.com/Ballet/Royal-Ballet/Untitled-2023/i-8QjBB4J

And Corybantic Games:

https://photos.alastairmuir.com/Ballet/Royal-Ballet/Corybantic-Games-23/

9 minutes ago, JNC said:

I’m a friend and haven’t received anything. That said I’ve already booked once so maybe not their target. 
 

Ironically given where I thought I might rank my ballet preferences, I’m looking forward most to Untitled now! To be honest I was never much looking forward to Anastasia but had to see Laura in it (sadly not her final performance, but there will be enough people there and yes expect flower throws, speeches on stage etc). Corbyantic games I’m not sure about - I liked within the golden hour but Wheeldon’s work has never really ‘wowed’ me. I feel he’s quite consistent whereas with McGregor I’m either quite impressed (Woolf Works act 1) or a bit bored (Dante Project act 2). 

I would certainly recommend trying to see Untitled if you can..tempted to go again just for that.

Had a very nice chat with the lady sitting next to me last Friday and we both agreed it was excellent. Similarly we had both enjoyed Woolf Works in March. Interestingly she said that she had preferred the classics when she was younger but had now preferred modern works. 

2 hours ago, Anna C said:

Excellent.  I’m a fan of Harris, and it’s great that he’s being given more stage time.

Glad for him - very sweetly he messaged me on IG about me going to opening night which I don’t expect him to do.

Some of the above comments refer to a 25% discount - has something been sent out for this triple? I’d be tempted to go again if that discount was available.

Telegraph's review (behind paywall)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/dance/ballet/royal-ballet-review-wayne-mcgregor-untitled-2023-macmillan/

Untitled, 2023 ⭐⭐⭐

Corybantic Games ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Anastasia, Act 3 ⭐⭐

7 minutes ago, LinMM said:

Well thank goodness the Untitled costumes are not the same as those of the music video they actually look quite nice and definitely preferable to the CB piece!! 
Did people find the music for Untitled bearable? 

Compared to the "music" for Dispatch Duet last year, it was an absolute delight (!) 

Just following on from my comments on a previous thread, I was very pleased to see Marco Masciari in such a prominent role in Untitled 2023. If nothing else, he has some flexibility !

Harris Bell (I'm a fan of his too) and Melissa Hamilton made an interesting partnering and  William Bracewell and especially Calvin Richardson were excellent. 

I wouldn't rush to see it again but would be quite happy if was part of a future mixed bill. I have to say I preferred it to Corybantic Games which I found underwhelming in comparison.

Curtain call of tonight's Untitled, 2023

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

Just now, MoVR said:

Love how there's a trailer of Untitled posted AFTER the premiere. Love how they're dressed like the painting. Looks very Mcgregor, pity I won't get to see it.

There are cameras here so not sure if they are filming for a later release?

Well it might be sunstroke but I thought that was really rather good!

I’m a bit concerned about some of the sounds coming from the orchestra! Sounds like my brother with his woodwork!

Monica Mason is sitting a few seats away - interesting to see her reaction.

15 minutes ago, Linnzi5 said:

I'm intrigued. Am going tonight and now am hoping it's a good 'itching to comment' and not for not so good reasons!

Ditto!

21 minutes ago, Ondine said:

 

 I think the music clips predate the ballet by quite some time?

 

All will be revealed very soon, so far it's been pretty much under wraps hasn't it?

 

 

 

 

I find that all a bit odd - surely they would want as much publicity as possible?

1 hour ago, JohnS said:

Opening night was Friday so I thought I’d start a thread as I saw Thursday’s General Rehearsal. Much to admire musically with Tony Pappano conjuring his magic from soloists, chorus and orchestra. Jamie Barton’s Azucena is a must see, simply astounding. But I’m afraid the production did little for me with soldiers, gypsies etc seemingly having escaped from a cartoon strip which I thought undermined the drama, the pathos of the final scene shattered by the chorus’s cavortings. That said I’m planning to see a performance towards the end of the run if all goes well, largely for the musical excellence but I’m also hoping a second viewing will be easier on the eye as at least there shouldn’t be too many surprises.
 

 

The production had a very poor review in the Telegraph over the weekend. I'm not an opera fan anyway, but bizarre stagings etc don't exactly add to the appeal! 

51 minutes ago, JohnS said:

I’d be surprised if there’ll be further casting details before booking opens which I think is only days away for patrons. I know last year casting details for all 5 principal Nutcracker roles were published well in advance of booking but I thought those details were all announced at the same time. 

The Friends Magazine shows a 9 December matinee ‘relaxed performance’ but on the website this is a Paul Hamlyn invited audience performance and there are also a couple of schools matinees - 6 & 7 December. I haven’t seen any casting details for these extra performances and it will be interesting to see who’s cast: the performances are a few weeks before those dancers scheduled for just one SPF/Prince performance and normally dancers tend not to have too long between their performances.

 

I’m assuming there are two casts for Dante as there’s a matinee and evening performance on 2 December but there’s no indication so far as to which performances are cast 1 and cast 2 so at the moment it’s pot luck if people are wishing to see both casts (unless booking for the 2 December double).

That rather begs the question if they can do it for 22/23 why not for 23/34! I can't book until the 6th July so hopefully more information may be forthcoming before then!

The Foundation has posted some Cinderella videos on its YouTube account- 

Step-sisters - 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxFJZ2QWc38&t=624s

Spring and Summer variations - 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9jTrvzXqfw&t=260s

49 minutes ago, JohnS said:

Please see the link for Don Q, The Cellist double bill and Nutcracker casting. Nothing as yet for Dante.

 

https://content.app-us1.com/vz2oy/2023/06/01/d047b00c-036d-4666-ba45-63d493b9e5f0.pdf?id=21609568&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Friends++E-News:+An+exclusive+Il+trovatore+offer&utm_campaign=230602_membership_enews_friend

 

 

Hopefully they will release casting for the Nutcracker/Hans-Peter, Clara and Drosselmeyer before booking opens - my decision over dates depends more on them!

Not having seen any of the three pieces (obviously in the case of the new McGregor!), I'm going with an open mind and hope to be pleasantly surprised (having been blown away by Woolf Works I am hoping for the same reaction!).

Going to opening night next Friday.

23 minutes ago, Linnzi5 said:

Arrgh! Wisdom teeth are not very wise! Or is it that our bodies are not wise for not needing them as much as in previous generations? Mine were impacted, which resulted in surgery. I then had an allergic reaction to a drug given during the surgery. Not a nice experience. I feel your pain and hope all is ok  

Thank you!

32 minutes ago, Jan McNulty said:

Gosh, at least they are looking after you going forward.    Well the NHS has spent a lot on me too this year.  Thank goodness for our NHS but I think between us we have bankrupted it!

I know! My scans alone (which have to be done at the private hospital next door as they have the specialist scanner) must cost a small fortune. I keep hoping they say its all fine and don't need to see me again but provided my scans today are clear they have said I will have to go back again in a year!

39 minutes ago, Jan McNulty said:

 

I hope you are OK and it's nothing too serious @MJW.

Thank you for asking! It was just my fourth (!) follow up after having an impacted wisdom tooth removed in 2021. Due to a very rare situation I have to have a bone scan every six months. If you wonder why the NHS has no money it’s been spent in me!

Lovely reviews from @Nogoat and @Geoff W which also helps pass the time and whilst waiting for my hospital appointment!

14 minutes ago, capybara said:

The RB needs to end its home seasons with a triple bill in which the whole company, including all the Principals, can be seen. Having some dancers ‘disappear’ for months in London, especially when those periods are combined with tours abroad and the summer break, is disappointing to put it mildly.

Funnily enough I was thinking the same thing whilst in the garden - James Hay for example posted over the weekend that he had now finished for the season and I thought at the time - really?