Rachel H

To me, an 'appropriate moment' is before or after the show, or during the interval! At the matinee of 'Swan Lake' this afternoon, the couple next to me started humming along during act 2! I shushed them, and the woman looked at me as if to say 'what's the problem? This is jolly isn't it,' and started humming a bit louder. They got another 'shush' from me, which did the trick. Mind you, she was also a finger tapper as well. They behaved a bit better during act 3 thank goodness! I know the conductor was good, but I would rather listen to his interpretation of the Tchaikovsky score, that their off tone humming, personally!

I’ve just got back from seeing this bill, and found I enjoyed the evening more as it went on. Always good to see ‘Les Noces’ anyway 🙂

I definitely remember seeing Claire Calvert as Hermione.

I was also there for the Thursday performance, and it was just what I needed after a rather fraught journey (cancelled flight from LCY, and a dash to Heathrow to catch an alternative one). I enjoyed the whole thing, and thought Olga Smirnova was fabulous in act 2 in particular. It was interesting to see Jacopo Tissi again after he guested a few years ago with the Royal Ballet as Romeo, and enjoyed his performance last night very much. Loved the pas de quatre in act 1, where we are used to seeing the pas de six in London. Also good to see Nina Tonoli as Monya in act 2 - I think I remember noticing her from her time at the Royal Ballet School. I agree the company was looking in good form, and I also noticed the orchestra seemed to be positined higher than we are often used to.

The last time I had a drink before a performance, it was when the Bolshoi were at the ROH, and were dancing 'Spartacus.' A late friend's birthday coincided with a double show day, and we went for a drink (or couple!) between shows to celebrate. 'Spartacus' after a drink is quite an experience! (Best way to watch it, some might say). I nearly jumped when that bombastic music started up, and thank goodness I didn't sing along. 😆

I was given a physical cast sheet with my programme both shows I attended in Hamburg earlier this week. I got the feeling they didn't have a lot of them, but still lovely to have one, and keep it as a souvenir etc. Managed to see 'Tales of Hoffmann' (opera), and 'The Glass Menagerie.'

Mobiles being used during a performance is a great bugbear of mine, and I have had many a 'heated debate' with culprits. People look so surprised, and rather offended that I am daring to pick them up on it, or that they might be annoying someone. Trouble is, I think people are just too self obsessed and in their own worlds for it to occur to them that they are being a nuisance (to put it politely) to others. Why spend all that time and money on attending a performance, if you are not going to watch what you have paid to see? Put your blinking phone down for 40 minutes, and watch the stage. Rant over, but boy, it annoys me.

Indeed. It felt very fitting. There was also a minutes silence, and the National Anthem was also played before the performance.

I've just been to the matinee of Programme A (Swan Lake etc), and loved them, as always. I particularly enjoyed 'Nightcrawlers - what a hoot! 🤣 (Very well danced too as well of course). I can't wait to see Programme B nest weekend.

My first Rudolph was Stephen Jefferies. A terrific first performance (for me) 'Mayerling.' I would agree with all Sim's choices for Rudolph, adding Jefferies to my list too.

He was certainly the first, but I think I have also seen Stephen Jefferies perform all three roles as well. No complaints from me with either dancer 🙂

Picture 3 definitely looks like Bruce Sansom to me too.

Ditto Leanne Benjamin. In her late 40's when she retired from the stage, but one of the most convincing teenagers I have seen, both as Juliet, and Mary Vetsera in 'Mayerling.'

As someone who also gets migraines, I have the same issue with 'Infra' and that pixelated walkway. I have come out of that piece feeling distinctly nauseous, so I tend to sit 'Infra' out when it is programmed.

Great survey! Working in a school, means I have to fit my holidays round term dates. I was fortunate to be able to fly to Madrid 2 years ago to see the RB dance 'Swan Lake.' It might not have occured to me to go otherwise, plus the dates fitted perfectly for me to catch the last couple of shows. It was fascinating to see the company perform in a different setting, and to a new audience. It seemed to be very well received 🙂 I was also able to see 'Jewels' in Berlin 3 years ago. As the RB were performing it in London at the same time and it was great to have the opportunity to compare how both companies performed it, and it definitely added to my experience, and enjoyment of the piece!