Candleque

Akane Takada mesmerising as Odette tonight. What a pleasure to see her. Can’t wait for Act III. 
 

Also James Hay bringing it as Benno. 

I am not familiar with the Royal Ballet previous version, but am not a giant fan of the ending either. My personal POV is that I would rather see the lovers both die together, to reunite in the fairy tale afterlife, or (dare I admit), both survive in triumph having slain the evil Rothbart. 

In praise of Benno, I have to say that I am delighted this version has another strong male dancing role. The Prince may be the hero and his dancing may be breathtaking, but he is a character I can't admire. (Yes, it is silly to look for logic in a ballet like this, but it has always irked me that the Prince is such an idiot that he falls for his enemy's daughter, no matter what she looks like.)

I love the sisters, too, and enjoy every moment they are on stage. I only wish the four Princesses danced more. It is a bonus that every cast has other principles  / first soloists that I love to see. (Even if the ROH web site won't tell me who they are, lol.)
 

8 hours ago, Odyssey said:

Rob S, really appreciate you taking the time to post the cast sheet

Ditto. Want to echo this. Thanks @Rob S 👍
Makes up for the lack of cast info on the ROH site.

28 minutes ago, Legseleven said:

 

Is this run Francesca Hayward’s debut as Odette/Odile?

 

Yes. She was quoted somewhere (I forget where) as saying this role is her last remaining major classical challenge 

Ticket now sent back to box office

Now I’m really wishing I had a ticket for his Insight talk at the ROH 

Checking for any interest before sending this back to the box office

On 29/02/2020 at 01:49, Rob S said:

Beatriz was fabulous as the Cellist

Agree. Such a privilege to see her debut in such an important title role. Friday's show went way faster (a good thing) and stuck with me longer than opening night with the first cast tbh.

As a Beatriz Stix-Brunell fan, I hope she enjoyed every second and that her convincing performance leads to more opportunities. Must be hard to again be a wallflower princess in Swan Lake, while so many other first soloists get a shot at Odette / Odile.

ps: Felt really bad for Cesar Corrales having to miss this show, but I see that he is listed for Wed

hi all,

One ticket on offer for
Insights: The Royal Ballet in Rehearsal | 27 March | 7:45pm
Linbury | Upper Circle| Row A, Seat 46
£20

This is a paper ticket I can mail to you.

10 hours ago, JohnS said:

I’ll now look forward to the cinema and catching the second cast.

Agree. I actually booked my second cast ticket before deciding to spring for the opening night also. I'm a Beatriz Stix-Brunell fan, so happy to see her get a star turn rather than another cheeky harlot, courtesan, mistress part.

Didn't quite realise how huge the role would be. Can only imagine how exciting it is to dance Jacqueline du Pré in this ballet.

The Cellist really moved me. Was not prepared to like it as much as I did. 

The three principles were amazing as you’d expect. What an experience to bring this to life. One element in the ballet I really liked was the inclusion of Jacqueline as a young girl. Emma Lucano did a beautiful job. At the curtain call, Lauren Cuthbertson took her hand and brought her to the front for a special bow (Hashtag all the feels)
 

2 hours ago, maryrosesatonapin said:

The Palais Garnier itself is well worth visiting for any production.  It is dazzling.

Agree the building is gorgeous. Like the ROH, they have tours so you can get a peek for a modest fee.

At the risk of gushing (and it is only act one) Yasmine Naghdi seems born to play Tatiana. What a debut so far ✨

As if Reece Clark and Matthew Ball onstage weren’t enough, I’m sitting directly across the aisle from Cesar Corrales 

Etudes was my revelation of the night. I had never seen it and tbh was waiting for the corps to strap on their pointe shoes.  What a prefect ballet for an anniversary gala. Shiori Kase was mesmerising (why is she not a lead principle?) and Jeffery Cirio's dancing reinforced why I loved him in Le Corsaire.

Now I wish there were galas like this every season. What a treat to be in the audience amidst the buzz and excitement and party outfits. ✨ 
What a wonderful way to see the history of ballet brought to life. Bravo ENB

Wow. I thought Friday night was great, but last night just blew me away.
 

11 hours ago, Bruce Wall said:

Daniel McCormick ONLY ever goes from strength to strength as Ali and it was breathtaking to watch him vary his own solo variations.  Every challenge he sets for himself is met and then some.  He makes us all PROUD. 

Totally agree. This man deserves a promotion. (Tamara Rojo was sitting right behind me, and it was hard to resist the temptation to gush in her direction.)
In addition to the dancers mentioned above, Junor Souza made the most of the villainous Lankendem, and I thought Emma Hawes was just beautiful as a captive Gulnare.

Le Corsaire reminded me how much talent there is at the ENB. It is really quite privileged to be blessed with two world class ballet companies performing just blocks apart. Can't wait for their 70th Anniversary Gala on Friday. Really hope it sells out as the line-up looks amazing.
 

Ticket is now taken. Thanks 

Hi all,

I have one ticket on offer for the Onegin Rehearsal this Friday. 

1 hour ago, Blossom said:

In general, I have a minor criticism about the quality of acting in the company. There are some standout company members, for example Jeffrey Cirio (who didn't perform last night) who throws as much into the character as he does virtuosity, but in general, acting ability could really be stepped up a notch.

Agree. On Friday night, I felt the dancing was amazing but not the acting.

For example, Aitor Arrieta (one of my faves even before he won Emerging Dancer) was cast against type as Lankendem. He's naturally boy-band handsome, so looks the part of any prince role — and btw would be a perfect cheeky Franz in Coppélia. But he didn't 'scare me' as an evil slave trader should. Perhaps as the plot itself is a pantomime about a subject that would be horrific if realistically played. It lists Ali as a slave on the cast sheet, but his famous solo is proud and heroic.
 

Excited to see Jeffrey Cirio on Monday and another Emerging Dancer fave, Daniel McCormick. 

Wow. All the best wishes to Lauren Cuthbertson.

What a gorgeous total cast though. Now I can understand why this is the chosen one for the cinema relay. 

6 hours ago, MJW said:

You all might be interested in these, given the news:

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/royaloperahouse/albums/72157712560790361

Great pictures, thanks MJW. And interesting indeed.

The shots of Reece Clarke and Natalia Osipova in rehearsal for Onegin were taken on December 12, 2019. Yet the Royal Ballet didn't tell ticket holders — and new buyers — about the cast change until today. Why the lag?

Am a big fan, so psyched to see Reece in this, and delighted at his well deserved promotion. He is a beautiful dancer. But like many others I originally booked for Vadim Muntagirov, so wish RB were more upfront about 'planned in advance' cast changes. 

20 hours ago, FLOSS said:

So while I have enjoyed every cast I have seen in this revival I do not regret Cuthbertson's absence but I do that of Stix-Brunell who I think would have been ideal in the role of Swanilda

 💯 

Totally agree. Was so disappointed (and puzzled) when Ms Stix-Brunell was not cast in a role she seems perfect for 🤔

7 hours ago, Sim said:

what scintillating and fabulous debuts from Anna-Rose O’Sullivan and Marcelino Sambe

Totally agree 💐. And they both seemed like they enjoyed every moment. As did we all. The afternoon flew by.

Shout out also to Philip Mosley. He's my favourite Dr Coppélius so far. I felt more sympathetic to the character, who can appear quite cartoony. 

Spoiled myself for Christmas with four shows because I wanted to see the debuts (Hayward, Naghdi, O'Sullivan, Magri — and yes, the gentlemen also ). Following these dancers on Instagram is a peek at how important these milestones are to them. So it is an extra buzz to be in the audience 💐

45 minutes ago, capybara said:

Steven McRae's role does not appear to be one that features especially strongly - or does it?

I think his character gets one featured dance vs being in every scene like Frankie