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MJW

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  1. MJW
    I thought this photo was rather lovely - from Taisuke Nakao's IG (taken by DancersDiary who I was watching prowling the stage taking photos!) https://www.instagram.com/p/CrUHm6rIUFb/
  2. MJW
    This is him - https://www.instagram.com/p/CrTvMZFohyc/
  3. MJW
    James was in the front row in the centre - certainly a very elegant dancer
  4. MJW
    It would have been nice to have been able to say hello but he was obviously engaged with friends or family and had come out to see them.
  5. MJW
    Did you see them on stage afterwards? I think just showing off for the audience still in the auditorium ! From my IG reel - https://www.instagram.com/reel/CrTEGbtoEMu/ This was my fourth (or even fifth) visit to see class on stage - as ever absolutely fascinating. Martin Diaz (I think) caught my eye front row left end. James Large was in the cafe afterwards - he's so tall and looked very refreshed despite having been on stage for an hour and a half!
  6. MJW
    Thanks - it just seemed oddly specific !
  7. MJW
    Regarding the cast sheet, what does the reference to "the role of x is supported by" mean? I know that the Music Director is partly financed by a charitable trust for example but I don't quite understand what the situation is here.
  8. MJW
    Certainly well deserved if his performance on Friday evening is anything to go by.
  9. MJW
    How lovely to have been able to meet so many cast members. I think I'd be too tongue-tied to make sensible conversation !
  10. MJW
    A bit late in the day...photos of the production by Alastair Muir https://photos.alastairmuir.com/Ballet/Royal-Ballet/Cinderella23/i-qvtCTmV
  11. MJW
    I'm afraid I'm going to have to be rather negative with my review. This is the second time I have seen Cinderella since the general rehearsal. First the positives: Fumi and William were a delight as expected and they are my go-to couple (now that James Hay and Anna-Rose O'Sullivan no longer dance together). Liam Boswell was excellent as the Jester and made a difficult role look effortless. James Hay and Benett Gartside were great as the sister - though there is far too much of them and they do dominate at times (not a criticism of the dancers, just the roles). The corps were great and their patterns were very effective from where I was sitting in the front row of the amphi. Acts 2 and 3 work well but as others have said Act 1 is far too long and it one starts to wonder when the "ballet" will begin. I think however for me the negatives outweigh the positives. However thought it would be a good idea to blind the audience with a light show at the start clearly needs a good talking to. There is a similar light show during Alice but that manages not to do that. For a new staging that made much of using magic and special effects, some of the transformations seem very clunky. I saw a stagehand helping to move the conservatory glass for the arrival of the Winter Fairy and hearing the scenery wheeling away at the end of the first scene in Act 3 rather destroys the magic. The turning of the pumpkin into the carriage is frankly a bit naff and the entrance of the Fairy Godmother later in Act 1 is hardly something special. The Fairies' young attendances are frankly embarrassing and remind me of reluctant children being pushed on stage at an infants nativity play. They add nothing other than a sense of bemusement. To my (very untrained eye) I thought the Season Fairies seemed to struggle and Hannah Grennell as the Winter Fairy made no doubt difficult steps look difficult rather than effortless. I'm sorry to be so negative and am booked for a standing in the stalls circle for two weeks time so I will see if I feel differently then. My seat was £112 and whilst the view was fine, I have seen much better productions and in some cases have been overwhelmed by what I have seen for far less (I appreciate that pricing is not based on how good something is!). Finally - my view of the curtaincall - https://www.instagram.com/p/CrCG0cfok5-/
  12. MJW
    Same! Enjoy...
  13. MJW
    Well I'm only going by the rehearsal in the video - whether it happens or not...
  14. MJW
    A couple of links to to the films shows during yesterday's cinema screening - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hn69VNndi0&t=93s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynQ8U5ebPG0 Interestingly from the first video it looks as though James Hay will perform the Jester at some point. I might have to try and book for that if I can find out when (!)
  15. MJW
    I had a reminder earlier in the week from ROH to book before today so yesterday evening I booked for Carlos and the Australian ballet. Managed to get a ticket this morning for the RBS Summer somewhere in the balcony but hopefully a less restricted seat will become available beforehand (that’s how I managed to get my seat last year) As I think @alison mentioned a lot of the seats were dark greyed out - not sure what was going on there.
  16. MJW
    I’ve always found that quite rude - I can understand when the performance is running late but not otherwise. I always hope it’s not too obvious to the dancers
  17. MJW
    From the World of Interiors - backstage of Cinderella https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQP5oW7flos
  18. MJW
    I found this letter published in today's Telegraph very amusing (hope its ok to publish in full - otherwise please delete) - SIR – I recently sat through the first half of a wonderful ballet with the very annoying distraction of the watch of the young lady next to me flashing a bright light every so often. At half time I remonstrated with her; she told me it was her smart watch reminding her that she hadn’t done any exercise for a few minutes. I asked her to turn it off and to remember never to do it again in a theatre. This she did with apologies and good grace. I really thought I had brought up my daughter to know better.
  19. MJW
    I thought this was a very amusing post on the ROH's IG account - Lukas B. Brændsrød certainly looked very handsome on stage! https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqn0Kh_jQtS/
  20. MJW
    How lovely! I’m seeing that cast a week on Friday!
  21. MJW
    I hope the view was ok !
  22. MJW
    Just looking at availability for the week commencing 10th April - still a lot of seats in the stalls and the stalls circle. Perhaps an indication that £151 to £170 is just too much? I'm looking forward to the evening of Friday 14th and might try for the Monday matinee - certainly another 25% off offer would tempt me !
  23. MJW
    I’m a child of the 80’s and I still enjoy it (but then I liked the Two Ronnies and Les Dawson in drag). Less keen on modern drag acts!
  24. MJW
    Well that would have made for a very different final act with the Prince marrying one of the Ugly Sisters!
  25. MJW
    It was very moving I thought to see the King speaking both German and English today (and indeed last night at the banquet). I am sure that those there (and indeed the wider German public) would be very gratified to see him take the trouble to do so.
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